MEDIA REACTION: UNREST IN THAILAND,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000728 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: UNREST IN THAILAND, TERRORISM/INDIA-PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH, IRAQ, 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. -------------- UNREST IN THAILAND -------------- ¶1. "UNREST IN THAILAND" editorial in April 14 independent Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "The cancellation of the ASEAN summit in Thailand due to anti-government unrest is unparalleled, even in the entire South East Asia... It will affect Thailand's credibility as a safe investment destination... The government has shown ample patience while dealing with the ongoing trouble, but Thaksin and his followers need to show similar restraint. Both parties should try to avoid violence and bloodshed at any cost, and solve differences through negotiation, but Thaksin and his red brigade have not demonstrated much tolerance so far." ¶2. "THAILAND CRISIS" editorial in April 14 centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT: "The ugly crisis in Thailand is another law-and-order worry for neighboring Asian countries. While PM Abhisit Vejjajiva sought to reassure the world that the government was restoring order, the unrest has pitted Thailand's security forces against the Red Shirt protesters, led by Thaksin Shinawatra whom the prime minister ousted in a 2006 military coup. Continued instability and mayhem on the streets of Bangkok will further damage an economy already badly battered by the global economic downturn." -------------- TERRORISM/INDIA-PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH -------------- ¶3. "THREE COUNTRIES, ONE ISSUE" editorial in April 13 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "It is high time that India, Pakistan and BANGLADESH form a federation on anti-terrorism initiatives. It is not appropriate to go complaining to America about each other, because American ministers and diplomats sing different tunes in different places. Today, terrorism threatens all. If these countries want their people's welfare, they will have to move ahead shoulder-to- shoulder." ¶4. "PAKISTAN: STONE AGE" editorial in April 1 Bhubaneswar Oriya daily SAMBAD: "The recent attack at a Lahore police training center is a reminder of Pakistan's flawed policy of helping extremist groups directly and indirectly... America's pressure on Pakistan to eliminate these terror groups in the wake of the 9/11 attacks has boomeranged, as these groups have started retaliating... It is a question of survival for Islamabad. Pakistan may disintegrate due to internal conflict, but the danger will not end. It will continue to have nuclear weapons, even if it slips into Stone Age." NEW DELHI 00000728 002 OF 002 -------------- IRAQ -------------- ¶5. "SIX YEARS OF IRAQ'S FALL", editorial in April 13 right-of-centre Urdu daily INQUILAB: "If President Obama is sincere, he will have to give real independence to this ruined country. Merely withdrawing American forces from Iraq within 18 months is no solution, because in the last six years, American imperialism has made human lives appalling beyond any imagination. Iraq's infrastructure is ruined; its trade and economic structure shattered. Employment is almost non-existent. Schools and colleges are razed to rubble. If Obama thinks that mere withdrawal of forces will be enough to compensate the problems created by George W. Bush, it would crafty and insincere on his part. Obama will have to adopt the policy of sympathy toward the Iraqi people, by fulfilling their justifiable demands." -------------- G-20 SUMMIT -------------- ¶6. "G-20: PROBLEMS GALORE," editorial in April 2 Cuttack Oriya SAMAJA: "Although the global economic meltdown got top priority at G-20, there are other problems such as environment that leaders needed to address. It is well known that the global economic crisis is a result of America's reckless policies. If the U.S. is eager to put its house in order, it is understandable. Some other rich nations are also trying to safeguard themselves. In these circumstances, collective policy measures to pep up the global economy look improbable." BURLEIGH