MEDIA REACTION: U.S. FOREIGN POLICY, HOLBROOKE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000700 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: U.S. FOREIGN POLICY, HOLBROOKE VISIT, 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. -------------- U.S. FOREIGN POLICY -------------- ¶1. "Obama's dream," editorial in April 9 Tamil daily DINAKARAN: "President Obama, during his tour of Europe, advocated that international pressure may be applied to change the mindset of countries engaged in nuclear weapon production. He reached out to the Muslim world with his goodwill message and his comforting approach came as a great relief to the international community that had witnessed threats from his predecessor George Bush in similar situations. Obama also seems to be giving priority to developing new technologies to counter terrorism, rather than spending money on warships or aircrafts. This is an indication that Obama has initiated steps towards realizing his dream." -------------- HOLBROOKE VISIT -------------- ¶2. "U.S. ON WRONG TRACK," commentary in April 8 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney: "President Obama's Pakistan policy is flawed. Knowing well that Pakistan misuses U.S. aid, the Obama Administration has proposed hiking it. It is clear from the Holbrooke mission and other U.S. statements that hyphenation of India is back, not only with Pakistan but now also with Afghanistan. If the U.S. does not mend its flawed Af-Pak policy, it should be prepared to lose the war against terrorism." ¶3. "U.S. PRESSURES INDIA ON PAKISTAN" editorial in the April 9 centrist Marathi daily NAVASHAKTI. "Despite U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke's assurances, there seems to be very little change in the U.S. leniency toward Pakistan. Despite the U.S. administration's being aware of Pakistan's role in the Mumbai attacks, there are no signs of the U.S. pulling up Pakistan. Instead one sees a possible U.S. nuclear deal with Pakistan. This readiness to go ahead with a deal, visible in many of Obama's statements, lends legitimacy to Pakistan, and pardons many of its horrendous actions. It shows the U.S. policy of pampering a rogue country that it cannot control. The U.S. even expects India to resume talks with Pakistan. If this is not pressure, then what is?" -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶4. "PEACE A FAR CRY IN SWAT," commentary in April 2 influential Bengali bimonthly DESH by columnist Subhabrata Bandyopadhyay. "It can be imagined that the Talibani rule will not remain confined to the Swat valley NEW DELHI 00000700 002 OF 002 alone... Obviously, India will not remain safe... The common people are paying the price for Pakistan's mistake and the entire world is panicked. The Taliban actually wants to infuse this fear worldwide." BURLEIGH