MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000042 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: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, PAKISTAN, U.S. POLICIES, INCOMING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION; NEW DELHI. NEW DELHI 00000042 001.2 OF 002 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶01. "LET THERE BE NO DIPLOMATIC CHARGE AND COUNTER CHARGES," editorial in the January 9 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. "Diplomatic battle has gradually been escalating between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack. A war-like situation is being created. However, no organized effort is being taken to crush terrorism. Recent attacks have made it clear that terrorists are now extremely motivated, highly trained and armed with the latest weapons. All nations must unite in combating these terrorists. Signatories of the UNSC anti terror resolution must draw up a comprehensive plan to destroy all the terrorist camps. Indian and Pakistani security agencies should take effective measures against terrorists by exchanging information. Terrorists will again try to mount attacks if merely leveling diplomatic charges and counter charges continues." ¶02. "PAKISTAN'S ATTITUDE," editorial in January 8 nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Pakistan is not wrong in saying that India is trying to isolate it from the rest of the world community. But Pakistan itself is no less responsible for this increasing isolation, and its pariah image. If Pakistan is not willing to concede the involvement of its nationals in the Mumbai massacre, despite India's furnishing solid evidence, then what other option does India have than to knock on the doors of foreign countries? If Pakistan is willing to work with India in all earnest to try to remove the scourge of terrorism, then where is the need to involve a third country? The problem is with Pakistan's unflinching attitude - it refuses to cooperate." -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶03. "OBSCURE," editorial in the January 9 independent 
Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "The sacking of Durrani and the identification of Kasab have exposed ... Pakistan's double-layered leadership. Pakistan can no longer suppress its military's covert relationship with terrorist culture. Consequently, how the Western nations react remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Islamabad does not have any option left to boast about its democracy... that there is extreme lack of transparency in Islamabad's words and actions is quite evident. If external pressures fail to break that obscurity the nation's internal compulsions will smash it." ¶04. "PAKISTAN IS THE REAL THREAT" editorial in January 9 NEW DELHI 00000042 002 OF 002 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. "...Pakistan's turbulent border areas have become a big threat not only to Afghanistan's stability or India's security but also for the entire world community... India's problem can never be solved until terrorism is totally eliminated from Pakistan's soil... on the other hand, Afghanistan's situation is now more dangerous than Iraq, with the Taliban and Al Qaida becoming stronger with Pakistan's help... the question is how could a country which nurtures terrorism ... become an ally in a global war against it?" -------------- U.S. POLICIES -------------- ¶05. "GOODBYE PRESIDENT BUSH" Op-Ed article in the January 9, 2009 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "Come January 20 and George Bush will have the prefix 'former' added to his title of President of the United States of America. The last time this first citizen of the United States was in the news was during his trip to Iraq, when an Iraqi journalist flung shoes at him. However, during his tenure in the White House, President Bush has not only witnessed his popularity skyrocketing over his fight against terrorism but also seen his international image nosedive over the costly war in Iraq. If this was not enough, issues such as economic recession, unemployment, healthcare and insurance proved the failure of his administration. Whatever analysts might have to say, Bush has proven to be beneficial at least in as far as India is concerned. Future generations in India will fondly remember him for his wonderful departing gift, in the form of the nuclear deal he gave to India. On the other hand, the challenge before the incoming occupant of the White House is to ensure that Al Qaeda doesn't resurface after President Bush quits office. It would be good to see the new administration continue Bush's policy of the war against terrorism to keep the world safe." -------------- INCOMING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION -------------- ¶06. "OBAMA'S ACTIONS CREATE CONTROVERSY," editorial in the January 9 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. "Some of the actions taken by President-elect Barack Obama have generated controversy in the U.S. At the same time, his silence about Israeli attacks in Gaza is surprising. Such controversies do not augur well for a newly elected President. He must clearly spell out whether he supports President Bush's stand or has a different viewpoint. Vice President-elect Biden's reservations about the nomination of the CIA chief would certainly be embarrassing for Obama. A stalemate may arise over getting the final Senate approval for Panetta's appointment." MULFORD