MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN/INDO-PAK RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000365

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 RELATIONS,
MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS, IRAN, PALESTINE,
AFGHANISTAN/TALIBAN; 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.

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PAKISTAN/INDO-PAK RELATIONS
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1. "DISQUALIFICATION OF 'SHARIFS'", editorial in the
February 26 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS,
New Delhi: "Every sane human being has a right to tell
Pakistani rulers, judiciary and authorities that they
should finally come to their senses and leave the path
that leads to death and destruction. This is the path
which has already made Pakistan's area the most dangerous
region in the world. We, as its neighbor, have the right
to ask this more than anyone else. Pakistan has become a
source of problems for its neighbors, particularly Indian
Muslims. Use of the judiciary as a weapon is nothing new
to Pakistani rulers. What is sad about it is that they
are not ready, as yet, to abandon the politics of
revenge. Leaders of the ruling Pakistan People's Party
should realize how heavy the price Pakistan, its
democracy, and the Pakistan People's Party itself had to
pay for their dirty ways."


2. "PAKISTAN SHOULD CHANGE ITS BEHAVIOUR", editorial in
the February 26 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB,
Mumbai: "As far as the severity of allegations against
Pakistan are considered, let us say that severity will
not decrease despite the all out effort made by the
American Secretary of State and her Pakistani
counterpart, because this was a criminal conspiracy for
which Pakistan cannot be exonerated. India is still not
receiving the required cooperation from Pakistan. In our
opinion, Pakistan is at fault and trying to save its
image. It is therefore Pakistan's duty to heal the wounds
rather than rubbing salt in them. India and Pakistan can
live as better neighbors and friends only when they can
trust one another. In the prevailing circumstances New
Delhi cannot trust Islamabad, and this distrust is the
enemy of cordial relations."

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MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS
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3. "KASAB'S DOING: FINALLY A PAKISTANI LINK ESTABLISHED"
editorial in the February 27, 2009, Mumbai edition of
left-of-center Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "The
11,200-page charge sheet that includes the charges
against Azam Amir Kasab, the sole surviving gunman from
the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, finally points an accusing
finger at an officer of the Pakistani army. It is alleged
that an official government e-mail account linked to the
Pakistani colonel was used to send at least one message
related to the attacks. The officer's naming represents
the most specific allegation of Pakistan's involvement in
the attacks and will NOW put more strain on India's

NEW DELHI 00000365 002 OF 003


relationship with its nuclear-armed neighbor. The mammoth
charge sheet is an achievement in itself. India's
security forces have been at pains to present a
painstakingly thorough document that includes extensive
and graphic intercepted telephone conversations between
the gunmen and their Pakistan-based handlers. It remains
to be seen what further cooperation India will get from
Pakistan in the ensuing investigation."

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IRAN
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4. "REMEDY", editorial in the February 26 right-of-center
Urdu daily URDU TIMES, Mumbai: "The new American
President Obama announced that he is a symbol of
'CHANGE'. He also said that he is in favor of bilateral
talks with Iran, but the person he appointed as adviser
for Middle East Affairs is an open enemy of Iran, and a
close friend of Israel. Dennis Ross, who has been
appointed as an advisor to Hillary Clinton, is a greater
enemy of Iran than Israel itself. Ross' stand on Iran's
civil nuclear program is 'if America and Europe do not
ensure that Iran is not producing nuclear weapons, then
Israel has a right, independently, to destroy Iran's
atomic installations.' In the presence of a person having
such extreme views, how can Obama talk of cordial
bilateral talks with Iran? If Obama is really serious
about positive changes throughout the world, the Zionist
authorities won't allow him to succeed. His
administration has been filled with Zionist vultures who
are sitting ready to swoop down on Iran."

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PALESTINE
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5. "PROPOSED ISRAEL-PALESTINE AGREEMENT", editorial in
the February 26 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ,
New Delhi: "At the insistence of the United States of
America, a proposed Israel-Palestine agreement is under
consideration. In his audio tape, Dr. Aiman al-Zawahiri,
Deputy Chief of al-Qaeda, has threatened the people who
want to enter into an agreement with Israel. He said that
'Jihad' should be declared requiring all Muslim countries
to liberate Palestine. He also said that Jews and
Christians should be targeted throughout the length and
breadth of the world. Hamas and al-Qaeda are extremely
against this agreement. Iran's President Ahmadinejad also
warned pro-Palestine peoples to think twice before
entering into a ceasefire agreement with Israel, because
the latter wants to deceive once again under the guise of
a ceasefire. Israel is busy forming a new government. It
is why the agreement in question has been deferred for
the time being. But the moment a new government is formed
in Israel, the Jewish lobby will start making an all out
effort to defeat the Palestinian cause."

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AFGHANISTAN / TALIBAN

NEW DELHI 00000365 003 OF 003


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6. "DANGER TO AMERICA," editorial in the February 26
RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "America has woken up to
the grave threat posed by the Taliban, although it has
always been aware of the dangerous tribal belt on the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigations has painted a grim scenario in their
latest assessment, and that assessment is irrefutable.
President Obama has conceded that the Afghanistan-
Pakistan border is a hotbed of Al Qaeda and allied
militants. Special envoy Richard Holbrooke gave a similar
assessment following his recent trip to the region. U.S.
attacks in the region have gained momentum since then.
The FBI has itself intercepted messages between the
Pakistan spy agency Inter Services Intelligence and the
Taliban, regarding plans to attack U.S. forces. This area
is out of the control of both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It is certain that the U.S. will NOW tighten its borders
and control the entry of people. It's strategy toward
this dangerous Afghanistan Pakistan region will be multi-
pronged."
WHITE