MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN; NEW DELHI.

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002585 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN; NEW DELHI. This countrywide cable reports on relevant media reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. The Mission reports on English-language media via email through the daily "Early Edition" summary. -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶1. "PAKISTAN IN DISARRAY," editorial in December 30 left-of-center Marathi daily APLA MAHANGAR: "Even as India is trying to get back on track after the 26/11 tragedy, Pakistan continues to be plagued by serious domestic crises. The general lack of law and order has robbed the country of all its credibility, if at all there was some left to be salvaged. Over the last year, Pakistan has evaded responsibility for nailing down the 26/11 perpetrators. Much worse is the fact that Washington continues to advise India to be patient with Pakistan. It was only recently that one saw a change of the U.S. stance when President Obama gave clear orders to Pakistan to dismantle the terrorist networks in the Swat region." ¶2. "BATTLE RAGING WITHIN PAKISTAN NOW," edit-page article in December 27 Kolkata Bengali BARTAMAN: "Although Obama's main target is to eliminate Al-Qaida and Osama Bin Laden, they are safely hiding inside Pakistan. American troops in Afghanistan have also witnessed Taliban fighters fleeing to Pakistan for safety. Therefore, the need to launch offensives against these forces within Pakistan's territory is greater than the need to honor Pakistan's sovereignty." ROEMER