MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000035 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: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, PALESTINE; 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "HERE'S THE PROOF," editorial in January 7 centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES: "Pakistan is a nuclear capable nation and no one wants a nuclear war. But there's a limit to taking atrocities lying down, and very soon India will reach that point of no return. If the world thinks India is not capable of launching an attack, then it is mistaken - India cannot be blamed if it does something untoward now out of desperation. The U.S., UN and G-8 should do something very quickly about this menace called Pakistan. India has provided all the necessary evidence to Pakistan on the Mumbai attacks. If Islamabad still refuses to concede the involvement of its nationals in the attack, then India will be left with no other alternative than to go for action. India should ask for the strictest possible sanctions, a la North Korea, against Pakistan." ¶2. "PAKISTAN4S INSANITY," editorial in January 7 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "Pakistan once again showed its obstinacy by trashing the evidence given by India on Pakistan's involvement in the Mumbai attack. Instead of taking action against the terrorists it is accusing India of creating tension in the region. If the appropriate pressure is not put on Pakistan it will cross all limits of propaganda. It is doubtful that Home Minister Chidambaram's U.S. visit would be beneficial. Is it not strange that the U.S. officials are visiting Pakistan one after the other and the Pakistani rulers are still not affected? Now, India should not only take action against Pakistan, but have a clear cut talk with the U.S. also. Forgiving Pakistan is out of the question this time. It is a positive sign that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, finally, said that Pakistan is using terrorism as state policy. But, is it not high time that the Indian government should seriously consider declaring the Pakistani administration, if not Pakistan, a terrorist system?" ¶3. "TERRORISTS IN KASHMIR" editorial in the January 8, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "The ongoing fierce gun-battle between Pakistan-based terrorists and the Indian army in the thickly forested Poonch district of the Kashmir valley is a sign of the crisis-ridden times for India. The number of natural caves in these areas provide ideal hideouts to the hardcore militants which include some top commanders of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfits. The forested area in Poonch is on the map of traditional infiltration routes of militants sneaking into the Indian side from Pakistan across the Line of Control that divides Kashmir between the two countries. This infiltration is a sad saga without any NEW DELHI 00000035 002 OF 003 end in sight. Not even the Mumbai terror attacks have made any difference to Pakistan's attitude. There are visibly no attempts made to rein in terror outfits active in Pakistan..." ¶4. "DEVIL CANNOT BE TAUGHT THE BIBLE: INDIA NEEDS TO KEEP THIS IN MIND" editorial in the January 8, 2009 centrist Gujarati daily GUJARATMITRA. "What can we now say about Pakistan's recent utterances? After creating much hullaballoo that India first provide the evidence of 26/11 attacks for Pakistan to take any action, it has now termed the evidence as 'not credible' for action. It has now donned the new role of telling others it is a victim and not the perpetrator it is accused of being. Even America's FBI has corroborated Pakistani links in their independent investigations. However, instead of showing any repentance, Pakistan has been playing the rejection card. The pertinent question here is: how long shall we continue to ask the devil to adhere to sermons from the Bible? We know that compassion, kindness and civilized behavior look very good on paper. But when the evil is determined to usurp the angel, the latter has no option but to eliminate the evil. India needs to learn this gospel truth." A similar editorial appeared in the January 7, 2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati evening daily JANMABHOOMI. -------------- PALESTINE -------------- ¶5. "ISRAEL AIMING ITS MISSION", editorial in January 7, 2009 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: "At last, Arab countries will have to take practical initiatives against Israel. Only after their initiatives will other Muslim countries take practical steps. Arab countries should sever their ties with Britain and America so long as both fail to solve the Palestinian issue. Israel has invaded as if it wants to liquidate the whole population. The only solution to American and Israeli terrorism is for all 56 Islamic countries to boycott the UNO, the Organization of Islamic Countries and all pro-American forums. They should form another organization, which may make efforts to solve issues faced by Muslim countries. Currently, it seems that the entire world is helpless in the face of American and Israeli terrorism." ¶6. "DISUNITY AMONGST ISLAMIC COUNTRIES AND GAZA ISSUE", editorial in January 7 2009 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "If the countries of the region, which play key roles in consolidating the world economy, unite together, they can easily cause Israel to perish. How sad it is that most of these countries are the allies of that country which is the greatest patron of Israel. It is America and America only which can stop Israel, but before accusing America and the European Union, the Arab and the Muslim countries should unite against Israel's wickedness. But this dream has not come true. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that disunity amongst the Arab and Muslim countries is the main issue. In this NEW DELHI 00000035 003 OF 003 regard, we would like to say, if the Arab countries do not unite, they can at least convince America to stop the wild beast. Diplomatic pressure may pave the way to a feasible solution. America is in need of "energy" as well as its allies in the Middle East. If they cannot stand before America, can they not turn away from America?" MULFORD