MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, UNITED STATES OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000503 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, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; 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 CRISIS," editorial in March 17 right-of- center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "The crisis in Pakistan has blown over, at least for the time-being. Western countries, as well as India, may think it is all resolved, but the basic problem stays. President Zardari merely gave in to the public outcry and above all U.S. pressure. But the basic political complexities persist. On terrorism, Pakistan's government pleads helplessness saying Pakistan too is a victim of terror and they are doing their best. But their attitude is hypocritical, because their covert support is with the extremists. It is foolish to expect Pakistan's government to seriously combat terror. If India can expect anybody to combat terrorism in Pakistan, it is Pakistan's civil society, which is really concerned. (Similar commentary appeared in the leading RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily). ¶2. "ONE MORE DAWN OF DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN", editorial in March 17 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The credit goes to America's influence and pressure that the situation in Pakistan has been resolved." ¶3. "...AND PAKISTAN SURVIVES", editorial in March 17 right- of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "President Zardari should have done long ago what he finally had to do under pressure. That way he could have saved face. He now has no standing to remain in the Presidency. Retaining him will be suicidal for his party. Does a person whose untrustworthiness is now known by one and all deserve to be the constitutional head of the country? Congratulations to Pakistani civil society for their alert campaign." ¶4. "IS PAKISTAN DYING?" op-ed article by Bharatkumar Raut, Member of parliament and editorial advisor to THE TIMES OF INDIA group in March 18 Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "Pakistan's very existence is in jeopardy. The Taliban is trying hard take the reins of the country in its hands. President Zardari has contributed to the chaos by making undemocratic decisions ever since he came to power. Not that Nawaz Sharif can make any great difference, but the Pakistani people have now turned against Zardari, the villain for the moment..." -------------- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -------------- ¶5. "DECLINE AND FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE", editorial in March 17 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ: "Big business, which drives America, wants war to continue in one country or another. America's economy depends on its NEW DELHI 00000503 002 OF 002 arms industry. The more wars, the more prosperity for big business. Small nations should understand how America is busy making a fortune by thrusting wars on them, like in Iraq and Afghanistan." WHITE