MEDIA REACTION: BANGLADESH, US

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000378 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: BANGLADESH, US ECONOMY/OUTSOURCING, AFGHANISTAN/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. -------------- BANGLADESH -------------- ¶1. "DISTURBED NEIGHBORHOOD," editorial in February 28 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "It is easy for India to explain away the disturbed situation in neighboring Bangladesh as that country's own problem. But is it right for India to shirk its responsibility? Being the biggest country in the region, it is India's responsibility to play an active role in the resolution of major crises in the region. India has failed to do so. To the contrary, India is viewed as a danger by its smaller neighbors. It is not only Pakistan but also Bangladesh and Nepal that see India as a threat. As for Sri Lanka, India has done precious little to solve that situation. India should not be a silent spectator because it is in India's own interest to resolve these crises in the neighborhood. India needs to be a leader, not a backbencher." ¶2. "BDR MUTINY MIGHT PUSH BANGLADESH INTO INSTABILITY" editorial in the March 1, 2009 centrist Gujarati daily GUJARATMITRA. "...This episode (Bangladesh) reminds us again that Bangladesh is sitting on a powder keg and is in need of imperative and stringent measures to crush the recurrence of such incidents... There is a possibility that anti-India and pro-Pakistani forces are behind this mutiny. The pro-Pakistani elements there are enraged over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's cordial approach towards India.... Whatever the case may be, India needs to be on her toes since the aftershocks of such a revolt might spill over into India. Besides, India also needs to ensure that the government of Bangladesh remains stable and that rogue elements there do not push the country into instability and anarchy." A similar editorial appeared in the February 28, 2009 multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. ¶3. "SITUATION IN BANGLADESH" editorial in March 2 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "...The initial probe has revealed facts, which may have serious implications not only for Bangladesh but for India also ... Information revealed indicates that the ISI, fundamentalist groups and pro-Pakistan elements within the country may have conspired to instigate BDR mutiny to topple the Hasina government ... India should not play down the incident simply as an internal matter of Bangladesh... It is more important to find out which forces have worked behind to encourage the mutiny." ¶4. "REVOLT IN BANGLADESH", editorial in MARCH 01' 2009 issue of right-of-centre Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA SAHARA", New Delhi: "...there is an apprehension that the situation in Bangladesh may further worsen. The NEW DELHI 00000378 002 OF 004 democratic government in Bangladesh, though has given harsh statements in this regard, but will they be helpful in cooling down the military anguish and agony? Will the democratic government be captured by any army general once again? Bangladesh is a Muslim country, apparently, but there seems no sign of Islam's philosophy of pardon, better relationship and tolerance. Killing guileless military personnel only because they joined BDR on deputation basis is an extremely inhuman and un-Islamic act. Welfare of Bangladesh is possible only when one and all have regards for humanity and human values." 5."SITUATION IN BANGLADESH", editorial in February 28' 2009 issue of right - to - centre Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "This revolt by BDR personnel is an ill omen for new-born democracy in Bangladesh. Simultaneously, it was a sad incidence for India as well as other countries of Asia. It is rather a signal. In Bangladesh, which is basically, a poor country, roots of democracy are not too strong to face any military revolts... There are complaints that governments generally ignore demands raised by masses. Governments do not heed until the situation gets out of control. Whether it is Sheikh Haseena Wajid, or head of any other country, they must remember that lackadaisical attitude of bureaucracy has destroyed a number of countries... " -------------- US ECONOMY/OUTSOURCING -------------- ¶6. "US INTENTIONS," editorial in February 28 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "Indian industry is disappointed at US decision to deny tax breaks to American companies that outsource work to low-cost destinations. President Barack Obama announced the measure during his address to the Joint Session of the US Congress recently. The decision has grave implications for India. Obama's efforts to bring America out of the deep hole it is in right now can be appreciated, but to resort to protectionism in the 21st century is not politically correct. Obama's views on outsourcing were clear from the start since he repeated them during his election campaign. These are loaded against India. Obama must consider where he is leading America. Does he want to isolate America by resorting to protectionism? What if, as a consequence, China and India turn to the European market and start resisting the inflow of American goods and products? Instead of demonizing outsourcing, Obama should understand that outsourcing allows American business to stay competitive." ¶7. "OBAMA'S ANTI-OUTSOURCING: BAD NEWS FOR THE WORLD AND THE U.S. TOO" editorial in the March 2, 2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "President Obama's announcement to end tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas may spell doom for many companies in India and China. But this anti- outsourcing move, which seems to have curbed some some of the negative sentiment that has occurred in the U.S. NEW DELHI 00000378 003 OF 004 owing to job losses, will not bring any long-term benefit to the U.S. In the globalization era, it will not be possible for large U.S. corporations to compete globally without a sourcing strategy built around finding the lowest cost providers. Off-shoring is one of the most proven strategies to optimize costs. U.S. firms have been pioneers in outsourcing services and manufacturing space, which has resulted in enhanced competitiveness. Also, one cannot overlook the significant cost and complexity entailed in bringing outsourced services back in-house. Many companies have been outsourcing for decades and for them the cost-benefit of continued off-shoring might outweigh the additional taxes payable. So Mr. Obama, beware of the anti-outsourcing slogan. It might rebound..." -------------- AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN -------------- ¶8. "ADMIT THE TRUTH, MR. OBAMA," editorial in February 28 DESHBANDHU Hindi daily: "The U.S. is just realizing what India has known forever - the grave threat of Islamic fundamentalism in South Asia, as embodied by Taliban in the Af-Pak area. Following the Swat incident, the Obama Administration is now realizing the gravity of the situation in the region. The Taliban is Pakistan's trump card - one that it uses every now and then to wrest the dollars from America. Be it Musharraf or Zardari, everybody knows that as long as the Taliban menace continues, America can be milked. Pakistan knows every well that the superpower's prestige is at stake in this region, and that Pakistan is using that fact to milk America to the hilt. The sooner Mr. Obama understands this, the better it will be for America." ¶9. "PAKISTAN'S DILLEMA" editorial in the March 2, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "Terrorism seems to find stronger roots in Pakistan every passing day. Obviously, Pakistan remains a permanent worry for neighboring India. Be it the rise of the Taliban or the recent Pakistan's Supreme Court ruling barring opposition leader Nawaz Sharif from running for any public office, India cannot dismiss these developments as Pakistani internal matters. Each of these developments have a direct bearing on the bilateral relationship with India. Prolonged unrest across the Indo-Pak border is bad news for India, always.." ¶10. "WILL THE PULLS AND PRESSURES IN PAKISTAN HELP EXTREMISM TO SWING BACK?" editorial in the March 2, 2009 multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. "The nation notorious for spreading extremism and terrorism is now facing the heat of the fire it generated over the years. The internal situation in Pakistan continues to exacerbate with each passing day. Even America, who until now followed the policy of double standards vis-`-vis Pakistan, has now initiated an intense search of terrorist hideouts in Waziristan with an aim to eliminate such fundamentalist elements... NEW DELHI 00000378 004 OF 004 However, on the other hand, the Taliban, having captured the Swat valley, is now training its guns on Karachi, the financial nerve center of Pakistan. The present political dispensation there seems to lack the courage to nip the growing influence of Taliban. ... the increasing advances of the Taliban in Pakistan's Sind province in also rings alarms bells for the Indian security establishment." WHITE