MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY; NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000475 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, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY; 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 -------------- ¶1. "PAKISTAN'S TRUE FACE," op-ed in March 13 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by editor Sanjay Gupta: "Musharraf's statements in New Delhi show clearly how much ill will this man harbors against India. When someone out of power can harbor such ill will, you can imagine what kind of mindset those in power in Pakistan have. Musharraf did not miss a chance to berate India, speaking at public forums in New Delhi during his recent visit. He asked India and Pakistan to shed the burden of history, and grasp the opportunity to resolve the Kashmir issue. In his characteristically blunt manner, he also linked the rise in extremism and terrorism to the resolution of the festering Kashmir issue - remarks that did not go down well in India. He also irked many in the audience by speaking about the alienation of Muslims in India. A prominent Muslim leader, Mehmood Madani, a member of Rajya Sabha and leader of Jamat-e-Ulema-i-Hind, said Musharraf should mind his own business. From Musharraf's statements, it is clear that Pakistan has neither the willingness nor the ability to check terrorism. At international forums, Pakistan's leaders make hollow claims about fighting terror. That is merely their ticket to concessions from the developed world, nothing more." ¶2. "PAKISTAN'S SOLUTION," editorial in March 14 DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "It seems that Pakistan President Zardari is left alone in the ongoing political tension. On the other hand, the U.S., U.K. and Prime Minister Gilani seem to have reached an agreement. The good thing about this agreement is that there is no direct danger of military rule in Pakistan. However, the importance of the army has increased because of the current political crisis. It could be Zardari's high ambitions or his political immaturity that caused him to make everybody his enemy. Even the Pakistani army and Nawaz Sharif, who can not stand each other, have joined hands. If the army and the Taliban become strong and the political parties and the democratic organizations grow weaker, it will turn into a serious problem not just for Pakistan, but for the entire world. Pakistani politicians will have to learn to solve their and the nation's problems themselves. After all, how long can they can depend on America and the army for this? They should show maturity to establish peace and stability in the country." ¶3. "UNSTABLE PAKISTAN," editorial in March 13 AMAR UJALA Hindi daily: "Pakistan's instability is at its peak. Anything can happen any time there. It is difficult for the Zardari government to survive in the present political turmoil. Previously, only the Taliban had challenged Islamabad. Now the PML(N) chief Nawaz Sharif has shaken Zardari's position by launching a long protest NEW DELHI 00000475 002 OF 003 march. The so-called democracy in Pakistan is again in danger. Nobody but Zardari himself is responsible for this situation. The U.S. was already unsure about him, but since it had struck a deal with Benazir Butto it tolerated Zardari all this time. Since he came to power the situation has only become worse. The terrorism is intensifying. The government bowed to the Taliban in Swat valley. Zardari went back on promises he made to Sharif. In a way, the army was making him do what it wanted. But such a bad situation in a nuclear state is not good. It is a matter of serious concern for all of us." ¶4. "PAKISTAN: CAN ONE BROOK THE SIGHT?", editorial in March 13 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "Pakistan's situation has turned explosive once again. If oppressive measures are adopted to stop the Long March and curtail the protests taking place in the country today, and the situation worsens further, there will be no recourse but for the military to take over the internal matters of Pakistan. However, if the military is keen on intervening rather than serving in Pakistan, all the steps and gradual efforts made so far to bring back democracy shall suffer irreparable damage. Zardari and his protg Prime Minister Gilani appear to be enervating the country rather than stabilizing it and improving upon the prevailing situation. Ashfaq Kiyani does not intend that the military should intervene in the internal issues of Pakistan, but if the country continues to burn, then what? If the military does makes inroads into Islamabad, it will be entirely the fault of the present political leadership in the country. The people shall never be able to forget and forgive." ¶5. "PAKISTAN IN GRAVE CRISIS," editorial in March 16 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Taking advantage of terrorist attacks on the one hand and lawyers' agitation on the other, the Pakistani army authorities have increased their influence over Islamabad in a big way. Former President Pervez Musharraf is responsible for this national crisis... no matter which leaders apparently hold power, the real conflict has now started between Pakistan's army and the civil society. The situation in Pakistan is a cause of concern for India. Military rule in a neighboring country can never be comfortable for others. Let peace and stability return to Pakistan... the only question is what course will assure peace?" ¶6. "DANGEROUS INSTABILITY" editorial in March 16 Guwahati Assamese independent ASAMIYA KHBOR:"...The entire world will have to bear the consequences of Pakistan's continuing instability. The way the fundamentalist forces are gaining ground it may considerably weaken the U.S.- led war against terrorism, and countries like India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will face its impact. For India, it is always better if an elected government rules Pakistan, but the present situation is not favorable for a democratic government to function normally. No one wants war, but India should be ready to defend its interests in any eventuality." NEW DELHI 00000475 003 OF 003 ¶7. "MUSHARRAF LIKELY TO COME BACK TO POWER IN PAKISTAN" op-ed article by columnist Muzaffar Husain in the March 16, 2009, Mumbai edition of right-of-center Marathi daily SAMANA. "General Musharraf's India visit is not as simple an affair as he makes it out to be. There was a definite pro-Pakistan design behind his sudden visit and participation in the India Today conclave. Not once did Musharraf express regret for the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, and neither did he call for action against the Jihadi elements in Pakistan which is targeting India from across the border. Musharraf's statements, however, gave clear indications of the mutually supportive relationship between Musharraf and Ashfaq Kayani, the chief of the Pakistani army. If the current Asif Zardari-led government falls in the near future, Musharraf is most likely to be reinstated as a civilian head." -------------- U.S. FOREIGN POLICY -------------- ¶8. "INDIA IS A VICTIM OF AMERICA'S FLAWED POLICY" editorial in the March 16, 2009 Mumbai-based right-of- center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR. "Despite stability evading Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Taliban making swift inroads into Pakistan, it is surprising to know that America is not taking any concrete steps to address this problem. It is in fact America that is responsible for this uncertainty in Pakistan as it has always intended to have a ruler in Pakistan that takes orders from America. History is replete with examples of India's victimization by America's flawed foreign policy vis-`-vis Pakistan. Just to cite an example, it was a retired U.S. army officer who ran training camps for Punjab terrorists during the eighties. It was only after India's protest that this was shut down. Despite assurances, Pakistan has used American military aid to stockpile arms and ammunition to be used against Indian interests. The intelligentsia in India ask this question: why is American following such a flawed policy?" White