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. -------------- PAKISTAN/INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS -------------- ¶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." -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶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." -------------- PALESTINE -------------- ¶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." -------------- AFGHANISTAN / TALIBAN NEW DELHI 00000365 003 OF 003 -------------- ¶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