MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN-TERRORIST ATTACK ON SRI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000417

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN-TERRORIST ATTACK ON SRI
LANKA CRICKET TEAM; 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-TERRORIST ATTACK ON SRI LANKA CRICKET TEAM
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1. "A BARBARIC ACT" editorial in March 5 Guwahati
Assamese ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. "... The attack on the Sri
Lankan cricketers has clearly demonstrated the inability
of Pakistan's present regime to rein in the Taliban who
are running a parallel government within its territory
... The world community needs to pay immediate attention
to Pakistan if it wants to eliminate terrorism altogether
... India should also use the opportunity to mobilize
international opinion to put more pressure on Pakistan ...
Allowing the Taliban and other fundamentalist groups to
continue operate this way from...Pakistan or Bangladesh
will be too dangerous not only for the stability of the
sub-continent but for world peace also."


2. "TERROR STAINED CRICKET WITH BLOOD" editorial in March
5 Guwahati Assamese centrist ASAMIYA KHABOR. "... The
Lahore attack exposed the weakness of Pakistan's internal
security management .... The country could not even ensure
necessary safety for its foreign guests ... Growing
activities of Pakistan based jihadi groups pose serious
challenges to the international community ... The main
objective of these groups is to turn Pakistan into a
terrorist state so that they can flourish ... Pakistan will
suffer the most if it fails to dismantle the jehadi
network completely."


3. "PAKISTAN IN A SHAMBLES", editorial in March 4
centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "The way terrorists
attacked cricket players in Pakistan shows that the
country's own administrators have no clue as to what is
happening within. This incident shows that the Zardari
Administration has no clue as to how to run the country.
Leave alone the rest of the world, this administration
has no standing in its own country. In its search for
legitimacy and acceptance this government did not even
think twice before making peace with the Taliban in Swat.
To the contrary they are touting this deal as a great
peace initiative to the West."


4. "PAKISTAN TOWARDS DESTRUCTION", editorial in March 4
right of center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "The terrorist
attack on cricketers in Pakistan shows that militants are
poised to take over the country and the present
administration is helpless in preventing that. The
terrorists have shown that they will not even shirk from
doing anything that disgraces Pakistan. Today Pakistan
can be compared to Afghanistan or Somalia. It remains to
be seen if this incident wakes up the powers that be in
Pakistan, or if they will continue to be in a state of
denial. Since Pakistan seems doomed, neighboring nations
will need to chart their strategies."


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5. "TERRORISTAN" editorial in the March 5, 2009 multi-
edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR.
"The deadly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in
Lahore is a clear signal that Pakistan has become
'Terroristan'. This incident reveals that Pakistan is
not capable in ensuring even the safety of its guests,
let alone its own security personnel. The hydra-headed
monster of terrorism that Pakistan has nurtured over the
years is NOW at its doorstep waiting to consume its
master. Anarchy and chaos have penetrated to such an
extent there that they endanger Pakistan's territorial
integrity... Despite all these facts, Pakistan continues
to market itself as a victim of terrorism and
unfortunately the world continues to believe this
parroted statement. America might take it lightly but it
too might have to bear the brunt [face attacks like the
9/11] considering the current state of affairs in
Pakistan. America's aid and the unaccountability of the
funds is making Pakistan all the more blatant in its
approach. The Lahore attack drives home the point that
Pakistan is not serious in talking the bull by the horns
as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned. The
world needs to realize this before it is too late."
A similar editorial appeared in the March 4, 2009 Mumbai-
based centrist Gujarati evening daily JANMABHOOMI.


6. "PAKISTAN'S BLAMEGAME" editorial in the March 5, 2009,
Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily
MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "Pakistan's administration has not
yet gauged the severity of the political situation after
the latest terrorist attack on its soil. That is
precisely why Pakistani defense analysts as well as some
of the government officials have dared to point a finger
towards the Indian Intelligence Agency (RAW). Without
elaborating on the 'external hand' involved in the tragic
incident, a senior government advisor said elements
involved against Pakistan could not tolerate foreign
investment, development, and peace in the country. That
is a very irresponsible and ridiculous statement. It
will not improve the precarious situation in Pakistan. In
fact, terrorist outfits are getting wrong signals from
the Pakistani government..."
WHITE