MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN; NEW DELHI.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000519 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; 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. "ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF DEMOCRACY," op-ed in the March 18 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by former diplomat and parliamentarian Kuldip Nayar: "That America is behind the Pakistan army is no secret. Washington has been cajoling, influencing and forcing Islamabad for the last 50 years to adopt a particular policy. It has been an indirect rule without responsibility. America finds it easier dealing with dictators than parliamentarians. However, the people in Pakistan are awakened this time. Why allow America to impose its will on them? If ever the story of Pakistan's troubles is written, Washington's support to the perpetrators of coups would figure prominently. Washington's proposal to contact 'moderate' Taliban is misplaced. Moderate or extremist, they are terrorists and they need to be eliminated." ¶2. "PAKISTAN IN A VORTEX," editorial in the March 17 centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "The truce between President Zardari and Nawaz Sharif is fragile. Sharif may claim the elections held during the Musharraf regime were unconstitutional, which would mean throwing out Zardari. At the same time, reinstated judge Iftkhar Chaudhry can re-open the corruption cases against Zardari. The army and the U.S. will not be happy with Chaudhry's return, because he can resume investigations into the missing persons' matter. Most are people the Pakistani security forces handed over to the U.S. for suspected Al-Qaida links." ¶3. "PAKISTAN CRISIS DEEPENS," editorial in the March 16 Cuttuck Oriya daily SAMAJA. "Both President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani have failed to provide a sound administration in Pakistan... Nawaz Sharif cannot do much either, because he will not get U.S. or U.K. support. Even the army cannot restore stability. Pakistan's economy is badly effected and cannot thrive without foreign help. America, therefore, is trying to find a workable solution that keeps Zardari and Gilani at the helm, but Zardari is facing a challenge from Sharif." ¶4. "DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN PAKISTAN", editorial in the March 18 right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "An obstinate Zardari pushed Pakistan into chaos. It is a stroke of good luck that Pakistan is saved. The Zardari government wants to implement the same policies as Musharraf, who tried to strangle journalism, democracy and justice. Zardari banned Geo TV, and tried to dictate terms. The reinstatement of Justice Chaudhary is a victory for the Pakistani people, and this new era is a boon for India." ¶6. "INDIA'S OPTIONS: PAKISTAN OR TALIBAN" op-ed article by columnist Sunil Purohit in the March 19 right-of- center Marathi daily SAAMNA. "India cannot be a mute NEW DELHI 00000519 002 OF 002 spectator to the developments in Pakistan, because they have serious implications for India. A military takeover is feared, and India cannot ignore the fact that Pakistan has nuclear arms. India will have to consider sending a peacekeeping force to Pakistan sometime soon." WHITE