MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000708 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: AFGHANISTAN- PAKISTAN/TERRORISM/HOLBROOKE VISIT; NEW DELHI-APRIL 10- 13, 2009. 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. -------------- - AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN/TERRORISM/HOLBROOKE VISIT -------------- - ¶1. "SHORTCOMINGS OF HOLBROOKE MISSION," op-ed article in April 12 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by strategic affairs specialist K. Subrahmanyam: "An Asia Society report on the Pakistan-Afghanistan region and U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke's mission is causing concern in India. There is fear that Holbrooke may pressure India to resume the unconditional peace process with Pakistan... Holbrooke should be asked why he is so sure that a resumption of the peace process will make the Pakistani army act against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda? The truth is that even if the talks resume, that is no guarantee that Pakistan will act against the Al Qaeda and Taliban. India should clearly refuse to accept any U.S. demand regarding Pakistan's security concerns. President Obama's recent statements clearly reflect U.S. concerns about Pakistan's ability to fight terror. If Pakistan is misusing aid, as some U.S. policymakers believe, then why give more money?" ¶2. "PILE OF EXPLOSIVES" editorial in April 11 DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud is giving Islamabad sleepless nights. In Swat, the Taliban has threatened to break the ceasefire if Zardari did not implement Islamic laws. Pakistan's insular, anti-west attitude is an impediment to modernization and development. The entire world, including the U.S., is telling Pakistan that its educated population and the radicals cannot co-exist, but it refuses to recognize the problem. During his recent visit, U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke failed to convince Islamabad that the ISI should break its relations with the Taliban and Al- Qaida." ¶3. "PAKISTAN AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE," editorial in April 11 AMAR UJALA Hindi daily: "Pakistani authorities start trembling, and the U.S., the UN and the diplomatic missions suspend their operations when Taliban's fiery Baitullah Mehsud issues his threats. It is a shame for Pakistan, as well as the U.S., that they have failed to catch Baitullah. He is a purely Pakistani product. The same terrorists who were created by Pakistan and the U.S. now pose a threat to them. At present, their topmost enemy is the U.S. and its allies. Being a US ally, Pakistan is also on their hit list.... Pakistan should either destroy these monsters, or let the international community do it." ¶4. "AMERICA'S LOVE FOR PAKISTAN," editorial in April 10 AMAR UJALA Hindi daily: "There were expectations of a positive change in the U.S. South Asia policy after Barack Obama became President. But now it is unclear what NEW DELHI 00000708 002 OF 002 the U.S. wants. U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke's statements suggest he is genuinely interested in flushing out terrorism from the Pakistan-Afghanistan soil, but the very next moment an increased U.S. aid to Pakistan is announced. This is bizarre! America's courting Pakistan is truly unexplainable, given the Pakistani army and the ISI's known links with the Taliban. Even after FBI's confirmation of a Pakistani Army link in the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan has not destroyed anti-India terrorist camps on its soil. And now the U.S. asks India to resume peace talks with Pakistan! If the U.S. really wants to uproot terrorism from the Pakistan-Afghanistan area, it has to stop pampering Islamabad." ¶5. "PAKISTAN IN THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS" editorial in the April 13, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily NAVSHAKTI. "Pakistan has never been as politically troubled as it is today. The Taliban has taken over part of Pakistan and other extremists are equally active in the rest of the country. The Pakistan leadership is evidently incapable of handling these multiple crises. Amidst the ongoing confusion, President Asif Zardari has dared to support the extremist elements in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir. This move will not just destabilize India, but it will be counterproductive for Pakistan as well. Zardari is suicidal and vicious at the same time ..." ¶6. "MISSION ISLAMABAD" editorial in the April 11, 2009 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "Pakistan is gradually slipping into the hands of the Taliban. After terrorizing Lahore, the Taliban are now focused on taking over Islamabad. Islamabad is trembling out of fear of these dreaded terrorists spreading mayhem. Schools and colleges and even the U.S. embassy remain closed in Islamabad. Taking over Islamabad would be just like taking over control of Pakistan... What is surprising though is the fact that the ongoing scenario is being witnessed the world over by powerful political leaders but no one seems to be taking it seriously enough. It will be a black day in Pakistan's history if the Taliban manage to take over Islamabad, as well as an embarrassment for the global community in the fight against terrorism." (A similar editorial appeared in the April 11, 2009 multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR). ¶7. "SPREAD OF TALIBAN AGGRESSION IN PAK A MATTER OF CONCERN FOR INDIA," editorial in April 13 left-of-center Assamese daily AJIR ASOM. "The Taliban are unstoppable in Pakistan...and the deteriorating security situation has forced countries such as the U.S. to close down its Embassy... There is skepticism about the success of President Obama's initiative to fight terrorism by aiding Pakistan... India too is concerned about the rapid spread of Taliban aggression on its neighbor's soil... India should, therefore, adopt a well-planned strategy to ensure that another Mumbai-type incident does not occur." BURLEIGH