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