MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, AF-PAK STRATEGY, G-20

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000633 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, AF-PAK STRATEGY, G-20 SUMMIT; 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 HEADED TOWARD DESTRUCTION," editorial in March 31 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "From the attack on the police academy in Lahore, it is clear where Pakistan is headed. Pakistan covertly supports terror, allowing blacklisted outfits to operate under different names. The U.S. knows this well, but the Obama Administration continues to engage Pakistan, knowing well the Pakistani ISI agency's nexus with Al-Qaida and the Taliban. In a sense, the American politicians share responsibility for the destruction of Pakistan. The U.S. can take time in figuring out Pakistan, but India should be prepared to face Islamabad, which is on the verge of collapse." ¶2. "LAHORE ON TARGET," editorial in March 31 DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "The audacious attack on the Lahore police academy underlines the serious jihadist threat in Pakistan. The terrorists want to send the message that the civilian administration and police cannot control them. They also want to terrorize civil society, which opposes terrorist attacks and favors peaceful India-Pakistan relations. Does Obama's Af-Pak package have a solution? As many countries as possible should be included in the war against terror." ¶3. "TERRORISM IN PAKISTAN," editorial in the April 1 CPI (M) Bengali Organ, GANASHAKTI, Kolkata. "Who's behind the attacks in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh? Who wants to make the situation volatile on the subcontinent? This kind of terrorist violence poses a challenge to democracy in Pakistan. Repeated terrorist attacks will encourage the Army to interfere with the government... India needs to remain alert in view of the developments in Pakistan." ¶4. "TALIBANISTAN," editorial in the April 1 independent Kolkata Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "It has been proved once again that terrorists in Pakistan are unstoppable... it may be just a matter of time before �0A;Pakistan becomes Talibanistan." ¶5. "TERROR ATTACKS IN INDIA, PAKISTAN -- WHO'S CONSPIRACY?" analysis in April 1 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA by editor Aziz Burney: "Why is it ruled out that the recent terrorist attacks in India and Pakistan might be organized conspiracies? It is time to seriously ponder who is the beneficiary of what has happened post 9/11. Who stands as the most powerful country in the world? Who controls Iraq's oil? Who is trying to market dreaded weapons? Are militant organizations like Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar in India, and Al-Qaida and Taliban in Pakistan, in connivance with elements of the CIA and MOSSAD? It may sound outrageous, but it may also be true. India and NEW DELHI 00000633 002 OF 003 Pakistan need to put their heads together." ¶6. "LAHORE MASSACRE; WILL PAKISTAN LEARN A LESSON?" editorial in April 01 independent Kannada daily VIJAY KARNATAKA: "The Taliban pose a constant threat to Pakistan. The recent attacks show the strength and reach of the Taliban. Pakistan's subservient attitude toward the U.S. and its neglecting the terror camps on its soil have resulted in this massacre. It is an irony that Pakistan, which turned a deaf ear to Indian calls to crack down on terror camps, now witnesses the biggest threat from them." ¶7. "AT LEAST NOW WAKE UP," editorial in April 1 left-of- center Kannada daily PRAJAVANI: "The Taliban's rising strength in Pakistan is not only a threat to Pakistan and India, but to the entire world, because Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons. The blunders committed by past U.S. administrations are responsible for the growth of the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The U.S. should learn from these misadventures and consult with all concerned nations to find a solution." -------------- AF-PAK STRATEGY -------------- ¶8. "PAKISTAN'S WAYS" op-ed article by columnist Lata Raje in April 1 centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "Obama's new Af-Pak strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat outfits like Al Qaeda and the Taliban seems counterproductive. Things are only getting worse in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both Presidents - Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari - lead governments teetering on the edge of chaos. The Pakistani Taliban has taken over the Swat Valley, and the Afghan Taliban staged a dramatic terrorist attack in downtown Kabul. The U.S. must rethink its policy towards Pakistan. Will Pakistan soon turn into another Taliban-ruled territory?" ¶9. "PAKISTAN ON VERGE OF DESTRUCTION," editorial in April 1 right-of-center Urdu daily ETEMAAD: "Clubbing Afghanistan and Pakistan together is a major flaw in President Obama's new Af-Pak policy. The voices of the non-terrorist religious organizations in Pakistan must be heard. Pakistan's political and religious leadership must tell the U.S. that Pakistan is no Afghanistan, as President Obama would like to think. It would be unfortunate for the people of Pakistan if they wage a war for Afghanistan on their soil." -------------- G-20 SUMMIT -------------- ¶10. "DESTINATION LONDON: G-20 SUMMIT" op-ed article by columnist Rashmi Bhure in April 1 centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "With the world in the throes of recession, one does not expect any breakthrough at the G-20. One can, however, ask for a global consensus on key development issues. If the assembled countries just agree on ways to NEW DELHI 00000633 003 OF 003 inject discipline into the financial institutions, it will send a positive message. Each country is trying its own strategies to deal with the economic slowdown. While the U.S. has its bail-out schemes and packages, France and Germany are concentrating on cost-cutting drives. The G-20 summit is another opportunity to discuss these measures across a negotiating table." WHITE