MEDIA REACTION: TERRORIST FINANCING, INDIA-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000392 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: TERRORIST FINANCING, INDIA- PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, PALESTINE, CLIMATE CHANGE; 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. -------------- TERRORIST FINANCING -------------- ¶1. "COASTAL SECURITY," editorial in March 2 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "With the Mumbai terror attacks exposing the lack of coordination among security agencies, India has completely overhauled its coastal security apparatus and handed over the overall responsibility of maritime security to the Navy. It is a good decision and better late than never. Had this decision been taken before, the Mumbai attacks may not have happened. The lack of coordination between the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy made things easy for the Pakistani terrorists. A lot needs to be done on the security front in India. This is evident from the U.S. State Department's report that the hawala money remittances system in India are directly linked to terrorist financing. If this is indeed true then it means that a lot needs to be done to damage the sources of terror financing in this country." -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN -------------- ¶2. "PAKISTAN ARMY'S MENTALITY," editorial in March 2 nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Proving India right, the Pakistani naval chief Noman Bashir has gone back on his own statement about there being no evidence of Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab using the sea route to get to India. His contradictory statements were embarrassing for Pakistan because the whole world knows they came by sea. The Mumbai attacks are the proverbial thorn stuck in the Pakistani establishment's throat, but with these admissions, there seems to be some softening in the Pakistani mentality. That is evident from his retracting his statement. The Pakistani defense establishment's dilemma is that it cannot openly contradict the civilian government. The Army is also a spot because a colonel and a major have been found to be involved in the Mumbai attack." �00A; -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶3. "FOCUS ON AGHANISTAN," oped in March 2 nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily by political commentator Bharat Dogra: "The American-supported Hamid Karzai has done substantial development work in Afghanistan, but his administration has failed to establish peace in the country. Many innocent Afghans have been killed in action by the NATO and American forces. This has brought down the popularity of the Karzai government in Afghanistan. NEW DELHI 00000392 002 OF 003 At the same time, Pakistan continues to assist and support the divisive elements and the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. The U.S. should pressure Pakistan to stop aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan. American and NATO forces need to change their action plan to avoid innocent Afghan casualties. And financial aid to Afghanistan needs to be increased so that the people do not take to terrorism and opium cultivation." -------------- IRAQ -------------- ¶4. "WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN FORCES FROM IRAQ", editorial in MARCH 02' 2009 issue of right - to - centre Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA SAHARA", New Delhi: "Everyone knows that, sooner or later, Americans have to retreat back from Iraq. It would have happened earlier if Iraqi society would have not divided on sectarian lines. Had Kurds, Sunnis and Shias fought, shoulder to shoulder, against America, the latter would have left Iraq for earlier, with its bags and baggages. In Iraq, America not only looted its oil wealth, it also inflicted deep wounds on the body of Islam, which will take a long time to heel up. American forces are leaving Iraq after establishing a hatred factory in it, the dirty smoke of which shall keep spreading cancer in Muslim society for long. It is also certain that America is unable to dominate over Iraq or Afghanistan forever. It has to withdraw its forces from there. By attacking Iraq, America has made all out efforts to destroy Iraq's culture, civilization and secular ethos. American secret agencies and investigating bureaus shall keep trying to sow the seeds of hatred and disintegration in Iraq. But we believe this American conspiracy will also become unsuccessful in the same way as its plan to occupy Iraq failed miserably, because people of Iraq are sagacious enough to know and understand that solutions of all of their problems lie in Islamic unity." -------------- PALESTINE -------------- ¶5. "RAY OF HOPE", editorial in March 02' 2009 issue of right - to - centre Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "Now, when both the parties in Palestine are getting closer to each other due to a successful mediation, and chances are bright for a coalition government in Palestine by the end of March 2009, both the factions will have to take steps sagaciously. On one hand, where it is necessary for Mahmoud Abbas to maintain the unity, and do not become a stooge of western powers, on the other hand, Hamas should make cordial relations with Al-Fatah. Both the parties, basically, have one goal. Both are vying for the liberation of Palestine. After the formation of a coalition government, and unity between Al-Fatah and Hamas, Arab countries should support Palestine openly and boldly, and fulfill their duty towards Palestinian cause and reconstruction of Gaza." NEW DELHI 00000392 003 OF 003 -------------- CLIMATE CHANGE -------------- ¶6. "ADVICE FROM DAVOS" editorial in the March 3, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "The need to arrive at some global agreement on climate change was once again underlined by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He has asked a group of experts and business leaders to develop recommendations on stimulus packages for the April G20 meeting of finance ministers and heads of state. These stimulus packages can power the transition to the low carbon economy. We have to realize that not just a few countries or the richer nations like the U.S., but all the nations of the world, will benefit from deep cuts in carbon emissions. Helping to finance clean energy, energy efficiency, and adaptation to the climate changes applies to both the developed and the developing world. We must all seize the opportunity to set the framework for - and invest in - the growth of the new low carbon economy..." WHITE