MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, MIDDLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000061 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, MIDDLE EAST CRISIS, OBAMA INAUGURATION, USA/ PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH; 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "SHAMELESS STATEMENT," editorial in January 12 right- of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "Drawing a parallel with the Israeli strikes in Gaza, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Gilani has accused the international community of double standards saying that it was more concerned about the Mumbai attacks than the killings in Palestine. He said that there was no need for the world to make so much noise over just one incident - the Mumbai attacks. He brought up the Kashmir issue, saying that the world had remained silent over the atrocities committed by India on the people of the state. Gilani's statement shows his desperation. Now that he is cornered, he is playing games - resorting to shamelessness. What else is this statement but an attempt to mislead the world and divert its attention? If he really believes that the Mumbai incident was no big deal, then he needs to get his head checked. Basically he is the churlish leader of a churlish government, what else can be expected of him! India will need to take strong action to bring Pakistan to book. This country does not understand the language of conciliation." ¶2. "OBAMA'S WORRY," editorial in January 12 nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "President-elect Barack Obama was recently asked if he thought the Mumbai terror attacks could happen in the US. He said he was concerned about copycat attacks. He said the dangers of Mumbai style attacks being replicated cannot be ruled out. Obama has inherited big problems of international terrorism. How he will cope with them remains to be seen. US intelligence agencies have already warned him of all the dangers that lurk around the corner for America. Obama has already decided to concentrate on Pakistan, and apparently he is doing so. After all, Pakistan is fountain of terror in today's world. Pakistan should worry that the US is now going to concentrate hard on it. This is worrisome for a country that is living in self denial, and fooling the world." ¶3. "NO PAKISTANI SHALL BE HANDED OVER TO INDIA", second editorial in January 12, 2009 issue of right - to - centre Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: "Were a Pakistani is found to be involved in the attacks on Mumbai, he would be tried as per the existing laws of the land. The Pakistani premier, Yusuf Raza Gilani said that his country is investigating into the evidence put up by India with reference to the attacks on Mumbai. He further added that, if any Pakistani national is found to be involved in any attack, he would not be handed over to any country. India has time & again reminded Pakistan to hand over those involved in terrorist activities to it. NEW DELHI 00000061 002.2 OF 004 Gilani said that the evidence produced by India in connection with the terrorist act has been handed over to investigation experts. Recently, the Pakistani government has prolonged the detention period of the leaders of the Jamaat ud Dawah, the front organization of Lashkar -e- Taiyaba for another 2 months. This outfit is allegedly involved in the terrorist attack on Mumbai recently." -------------- MIDDLE EAST CRISIS -------------- ¶4. "GAZA BEING DIVIDED", editorial in January 12 right- of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: "The fact that at the moment, Israel is making all out attempts to append the Gaza strip with Egypt & close the chapter of the independent state of Palestine forever has raised concerns amongst Muslims across the world, particularly those belonging to West Asia & Palestine. A former diplomat associated with the foreign affairs ministry of Egypt has confirmed the suspicion. According to a former official of the United States, John Bolton, Israel has rejected the idea of establishment of a separate state for Palestine. It is not mandatory for Muslims to possess the most state of the art weaponry & technology to fight against the anti-Muslim countries like America, Israel or countries in Europe. The natural resources & human skills from the Muslim countries are currently being used by the Western nations to empower & strengthen their economy. If these resources & skills are snatched away from these countries, there shall be no particular need to use military might." ¶5. "INDIA, PAKISTAN, ISRAEL & PALESTINE", editorial in January 12 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS, New Delhi: "Whenever Palestine was under attack in the past, the first Qiblah, the Aqsa Mosque came to be threatened. Whenever the Baitul Muqaddas was desecrated, the strongest undercurrents were registered in the subcontinent region, where protests were vociferous. For the first time in history, the Aqsa Mosque could not be used for Friday prayers, the Gaza strip is being wantonly bombarded, while deadly bombs like the phosphorous bomb is also being used. Women & children are also not being spared, while their bodies are being blown to pieces. However, this time around the Muslims of India seem to be a helpless lot. The otherwise vocal crowd appears to be under the shadows of an abominable lull. No group or party has the guts to raise its voice against the naked butchery or call for an immediate ceasefire. So far as Hindus & Muslims continue to be at loggerheads with each other here, it would be easier for the Zionist forces to achieve their wily objectives." ¶6. "PENTAGON SENDING HUGE QUANTITIES OF WEAPONS TO ISRAEL", editorial in January 12 right-of-center Urdu daily URDU TIMES, Mumbai: "The pentagon is supplying huge quantities of weapons to Israel, which indicates towards the possibility of the war in Gaza getting prolonged, with Israel continuing its strikes. America is keen on NEW DELHI 00000061 003 OF 004 acquiring a merchant ship from Greece by means of which it can supply arms & ammunition to Israel. It is learnt from sources that the consignment is likely to include hazardous & explosive substances. The American congress had passed a resolution in September last year to supply guided bombs & buster bombs to Israel. The Washington Post reported that the first consignment of such materials had already reached Israel in December last year, which were subsequently used by Israel for shelling in Palestine. The Israeli strikes have unfailingly hit targets in Palestine mounting civilian casualties during the last 15 days of relentless attacks" ¶7. "TRULY, WE SHALL SUCCEED ONE DAY", editorial in January 12 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "There is no doubt that the people of Palestine who are supporters of Hamas have suffered tremendous loss during the battle being fought between Israel & Hamas. The irreparable loss continues to grow in magnitude. However, the people of Palestine are fighting against the tyrant forces in the form of Goliath with all courage & willpower, despite having being pushed to the wall. They have preferred to die rather than meekly surrender before the Israeli onslaught, thus rising aloft the torch of truthfulness & righteousness. Those amongst us who can visualize the prosperity of tomorrow in today's devastation, the authority of tomorrow in today's helplessness & abundant resources of tomorrow in today's nothingness, need to be questioned as to what do the frightening dreams of the people of Gaza imply? They would definitely opine that that despite being victimized & tormented, it is the people of Palestine who deserve to emerge victorious at the end of the day. Victory is in sight, though a little distant & hazy." ¶8. "LET INDIA TAKE THE INITIATIVE," editorial in the January 13 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. "What role does India play while a small country like Venezuela is providing vital assistance in support of humanity? Why doesn't India break its defense pacts with Israel? Why doesn't India take the initiative of mobilizing public opinion against Israel? India needs to adopt a bolder approach in order to protect its sovereign foreign policy. In view of the attacks in Gaza, playing an independent role will help India take an anti- imperialist and antiwar position. The Indian masses can never accept this heinous armed offensive against the innocent people in Gaza. The Indian government will have to reflect the nation's sentiment by standing united with those countries that have already taken an anti-Israeli stand." -------------- OBAMA INAUGURATION -------------- ¶9. "HECTIC OPERATIONS ON FOR BARACK OBAMA'S SWEARING-IN CEREMONY" op-ed article by Delhi-based foreign correspondent Vijay Naik in the January 13, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "Americans are NEW DELHI 00000061 004 OF 004 good at making capital out of everything. As of now they are capitalizing on President-elect Barack Obama's January 20 inauguration ceremony.... If fundraising continues at that pace, Obama's inauguration committee will have no problem reaching or exceeding the roughly $40 million raised for each of President George W. Bush's two inaugural celebrations. The funds are being directed towards one cause -- trying to make Obama's inauguration the most open and accessible and inclusive inauguration in U.S. history. The fundraising will cover the installation of 10 giant screens so that people can witness Obama's swearing-in within sight of the Capitol... US wireless carriers are boosting capacity ahead of the presidential inauguration in order to avoid network congestion as millions flock to the US capital and make it a star-studded affair..." -------------- USA/ PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH -------------- ¶10. "WITH SO MUCH DISGRACE...", editorial in January 10 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "Most of the commentators did not hesitate to term the 8-year rule of George W Bush as one marked by unplanned misadventures. An example to this end is one the majority leader in the Senate, Mr. John Reid, where in a program 'Meet the Press' aired on the NBC, he talked about the destructive policies of the outgoing Bush administration & remarked that George W Bush was the worst president the United States has ever seen. Most of the experts & intellectual think tanks are of the view that his departure from presidency shall not be marked by the 'end of an era'; rather it could be aptly called as the 'end of an error'. If an intellectual of today's times calls a president, the worst president, would not the future historian recount this fact? He destroyed the economies of Iraq & Afghanistan, thereby spelling doom for the economies of the world, pushing them to an irreparable state. Meanwhile, he also left his mark of disgrace with sordid tales of horror retold in Guantanamo Bay & Abu Gharib." MULFORD