MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, INDO-PAK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000274 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, INDO-PAK RELATION/THREAT FROM AL-QAEDA, INDIA-SRILANKA-PAKISTAN, PALESTINE/ISRAEL; 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 QEarly EditionQ summary. -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶1. QPAKISTAN FALLS FLAT ON ITS FACEQ editorial in the February 13, 2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily LOKSATTA. QAlthough PakistanQs Interior Minister has finally acknowledged that the Mumbai attacks were partly plotted on Pakistani soil, there are some expected twists in this declaration. The minister claims that some plotters of the 26/11 terror strike came from Bangladesh, Austria, Italy, Spain and even the United States. Any official statement from Pakistan cannot be taken at face value because what appears to be candid confessions could be political traps. Therefore, India will have to study these latest revelations and then arrive at some conclusion about PakistanQs intentions. India will have to see if Pakistan indeed intends to cooperate in the war against terror or if it is making these statements merely to relieve international pressureQ A similar editorial appeared in the Marathi daily SAKAAL. ¶2. QDESPITE ITS ADMISSION, PAKISTANQS ARROGANCE INTACT editorial in the February 13, 2009 multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. QDespite having admitted that a part of the Mumbai terror conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan, Pakistani authorities havenQt shown any visible signs of shifting from their obstinate approach. This arrogance was evident in Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik saying that what India provided was only information, and it was Pakistan that gathered evidence from this information. Malik seems to convey that Pakistan did India a favor by taking action against those implicated in this macabre crime. PakistanQs admission also suggests that its position has weakened internationally. That the American pressure has worked is clearly evident the Mumbai terror case is going to last a long time given the absence of tough laws to deal with terrorism. It might sound bitter but Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi has rightly said that current laws to deal with terrorism in India arenQt sufficient to bring the culprits to justice with the evidence gathered thus far. Only stringent laws can deter terrorists from conducting such nefarious activities. -------------- INDO-PAK RELATION / THREAT FROM AL-QAEDA -------------- ¶3. "FACE OF TERROR," editorial in the February 11 RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "The Al-Qaida commander Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid's threat to India of more Mumbai- like strikes is not surprising. Actually, the terrorist organizations are afraid that India can crack down on NEW DELHI 00000274 002 OF 003 terrorists by attacking Pakistan. Thus, India and other terror-struck nations should be extremely careful this also exposes the Pakistan army, which declared Yazid dead earlier. U.S. President Barack Obama has already intensified Pakistan's problem by declaring its tribal areas a safe haven for terrorists. The motive behind U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke's Afghanistan-Pakistan visit is also to give the war on terror a decisive turn. Holbrooke will, certainly, talk to the Pakistani leaders about the claim Yazid was dead. Although Pakistan has not yet reacted to Yazid's tape, it will have to talk to him about terrorists active on Pakistani soil. Yazid's threat reconfirms the allegation that the terrorists operate anti-India activities from Pakistani soil." ¶4. QAL-QAEDA THREATQ, editorial in the February 12 right of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS, New Delhi: QWhenever India and Pakistan extend their hand of cooperation to each other to combat terrorism, or sit across the negotiation table, the terrorist elements of both sides become extraordinarily active and dynamic. The tragic aspect of the matter is that they are often successful in their nefarious designs, and as a result, the train of Indo-Pak relations gets derailed once again. Undoubtedly, the recent threat by al-Qaeda is a link in the same chain. India should realize this fact, while Pakistan should also show the courage to face the naked truth. Though India is not untouched by alien conspiracies, terrorists have long ruled the roost in Pakistan. Our governments should crush this demon with all their strength so that it may not rise again, otherwise the sub-continent will never get rid of this menace. ¶5. "AL-QAEDA THREAT", editorial in the February 12 right of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: QAl-Qaeda has warned that in case of Indian attack on Pakistan, it will retaliate and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan army. Recent statements from al-Qaeda have baffled the United States of America and the latter is pressuring Pakistan to take concrete steps to oust terrorists from its tribal areas. But Pakistan is helpless. It is unable to restrict the ever growing influence of the Taliban and al-Qaeda. If Pakistan takes any harsh action against these forces, it will face the consequences thereof. Moreover, it has fewer modern weapons to confront them, because it is not getting sufficient military aid from the United States of America due to the weak American economy. But al-QaedaQs threats against India are taking a new turn. At this juncture, new American President Obama should work diligently to stop further deterioration in bilateral Indo-Pak relations. -------------- INDIA-SRILANKA-PAKISTAN -------------- ¶6. "LIMITATIONS OF ARMED STRUGGLE," op-ed by former parliamentarian and diplomat Kuldip Nayar in the February NEW DELHI 00000274 003 OF 003 11 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "In a way, what has happened to the LTTE in Sri Lanka is similar to what has happened to the Hurriyat in Kashmir. Both of these groups of so called freedom fighters have ceased to be relevant in their respective territories. It does not mean that the alienation of the people they represent, the Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Kashmiris in India, has ended. But it does mean that the fight to project their power has not met with success. In any case, the violence which has no place in the settlement of political problems is practically over, more so in Kashmir than in Sri Lanka. This is the only conclusion which can be drawn. Anything beyond that may be wishful thinking on the part of the LTTE and the Hurriyat on one hand, and the governments in Sri Lanka and India on the other. Neither the LTTE nor the Hurriyat has ever faced the fact that no nation would allow any part of its territory to break away, however emotional may be the call for self-determination or autonomy. Had the two asked for a status within their respective countries, perhaps things would have been different. Maybe the solution for Kashmir lies in a similar formula whereby the people of the state enjoy power over all subjects except foreign affairs and defence. Islamabad could do likewise. Both New Delhi and Islamabad can give the Kashmiris a sense of coherence and integrity by making the border between Indian- administered Kashmir and Pakistani-administered Kashmir soft. This will make the border irrelevant." -------------- PALESTINE/ISRAEL -------------- ¶7. QWHY DOES NOT BAN KEE MOON SHUT DOWN HIS SHOP? editorial in the February 12 rightQof-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: QDuring IsraelQs war in Gaza, the Tel Aviv army bombarded properties of the United Nations deliberately, sending a message to the world forum that Qif we trample global laws under our feet, the world forum will also feel itQ. Considering the attacks as an attack on United Nations prestige, the General Secretary ordered an investigation. Israel habitually drops United Nations resolutions into the dust bin. Perhaps it wants to convey that it has no regard either for UN resolutions or for established international norms. Under these circumstances, the only way to safeguard the prestige of the UN is for Ban Kee Moon to shut down his international shop running under the name of United Nations. Despite widespread condemnation of IsraelQs aggression by the world forum, no UN Secretary General could take any disciplinary action against Israel. If Israel is perpetrating tyranny, what are you doing against the tyrant? If you are unable to teach it a lesson, then why are you childishly complaining about Israel? MULFORD