MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA, G-20 SUMMIT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000690 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: NORTH KOREA, G-20 SUMMIT, TERRORISM; 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. -------------- NORTH KOREA -------------- ¶1. "SECOND CRISIS," editorial in April 7 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "If North Korea's missile launch is not taken seriously, another crisis of the proportions of the global economic recession may start. The 6-nation dialogue to make North Korea halt its nuclear program is taking its own sweet time. If the U.S. quits these talks it is certain that North Korea will somehow finish the remaining work of its nuclear program. The U.S. will certainly make all efforts to prevent North Korea, but Russia and China are supporting North Korea. The key to the North Korea problem is still China, and the U.S. would be well advised to take heed. After the Iraq invasion, every anti-U.S. country is busy making missiles and bombs. Obama will have to undo this damage done by Bush." ¶2. "NORTH KOREA MISSILE TESTS," editorial in April 7 right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "North Korea's recent missile tests have pushed the world, including America, into a zone of imminent threat and potential danger. The world is angry with North Korea. The United Nations Security Council is calling it an emergency situation. Now, Pakistan is a Muslim country, and since it became a nuclear power efforts are being made by western countries to destabilize and control it. However, you can't try that with North Korea, since its political leadership is united and strong." -------------- G-20 SUMMIT -------------- ¶3. "THE FAILURE OF THE LONDON SUMMIT" op-ed article by columnist Ramgopal Agarwala in April 8 centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "The summit did not achieve much... in the way of finding effective solutions to beat the economic slowdown. It is clear that developing countries cannot expect any substantial help from the International Monetary Fund. The summit did not arrive at any consensus over the inclusion of developing countries' financial institutions in the decision-making process of IMF. India has been lately affected by the protectionist policies of the U.S.; there was no mention of these restrictive policies. India should now forget the G-20 for the moment and pin hopes on the upcoming summit of East Asian countries in Bangkok on April 11 and 12." -------------- TERRORISM -------------- ¶4. "DESTROYING NATION," editorial in April 7 DAINIK NEW DELHI 00000690 002 OF 002 HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "There is a risk of terrorists seizing Pakistan's nuclear weapons. David Kilcullen, a former adviser to top U.S. military commander General David Petraeus claims the Pakistan government could collapse within six months. He also doubts the success of President Obama4s policy to fight terrorism with Zardari. The other worrisome factor in his assessment is that the Pakistanis consider India their first enemy... in the wake of the U.S. aid to Pakistan and the possibility of military rule in Islamabad, India will have to strengthen its military power and adopt a new diplomatic strategy." ¶5. "TALIBAN'S TARGET" editorial in the April 8 right-of- center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "The situation in Pakistan is extremely delicate, with the Taliban having penetrated deep into Pakistan's territory. With Lahore already on its radar, there is no doubt that even Islamabad will fall prey to this radical outfit if Pakistan doesn't take swift and decisive action. Even America needs to understand that merely sending aid won't solve the problem. The time has come to send military to annihilate Taliban terrorists. It is sad that Pakistan's politicians are busy settling political scores... when the need of the hour is a united front to contain the rapid surge of the Taliban into Pakistan's territory...." BURLEIGH