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