MEDIA REACTION: THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS, PAKISTAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000809 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: THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS, PAKISTAN, US FIRST LADY AT 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. -------------- THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS -------------- ¶1. "CRISIS STILL CONTINUES" editorial in April 23 Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "The Manmohan Singh government is silent about the sufferings of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. While it considers the LTTE terrorists, it doesn't like to meddle in the internal affairs of its next-door neighbor. The war will end eventually, but the issue of self-rule for Sri Lankan Tamils will remain unresolved. But since New Delhi has washed its hands of the situation, nationalist forces in Sri Lanka will feel no pressure to extend justice to the Tamils." ¶2. "LET DELHI BE VOCAL," editorial in April 23 pro-Left Kolkata Bengali SAMBAD PRATIDIN. "India right now is concerned about the Tamil-speaking people whose life is threatened by the war, but it is not possible for India to do anything for diplomatic and other reasons. It is also not possible to support Pravakaran; this needs to be understood because India, facing the worst form of terrorism, is now engaged in a diplomatic war with its western neighbor. At the national level, the biggest concern is controlling Tamil emotions. Caution must exercised in the event of any incident that could lead to an emotional upsurge. It is hoped that the Indian government will take suitable measures to prevent this." -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶3. "THEIR DEMOCRACY," editorial in April 22 nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Extremist forces want to completely "Islamize' Pakistan. They are buoyed by the Pakistan government's capitulation to the Taliban in Swat. Red Mosque leader Maulana Abdul Aziz called for an Islamic takeover of Pakistan; now the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e- Sharia Muhammadi chief Sufi Muhammad of Swat has done the same. He even declared democracy and courts un-Islamic. There are demands for the imposition of Islamic rule �00A;across the Malakand division. After Swat, now it is Malakand's turn, and then perhaps all of Pakistan. The Pakistan government's helplessness is extremely worrisome, but there is still time for the Pakistani politicians to sit up and do something." ¶4. "OUR JOINT WAR AGAINST TERRORISM," op-ed in April 22 centrist DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "The Taliban threat in Pakistan is steadily rising. Pakistan is today in danger of being devoured by the monster it created to meet U.S. needs. Pakistan is completely dependent on the U.S., as its own economy has collapsed. Its army wants close relations with the U.S. in order to maintain its NEW DELHI 00000809 002 OF 003 upper hand in the society. The army's role cannot be reduced unless the elected government is strengthened... the people and the politicians of Pakistan actually believe that jihadi terrorism is no less dangerous for Pakistan than it is for India. They feel Pakistan needs India's help to deal with terrorist organizations. A strong central democratic government in Pakistan is good for India's security too. India should face this danger jointly with Pakistan." ¶5. "WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PAKISTAN," editorial in the April 22 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: "Pakistan is an independent and self-governing country. We, the Indians do not poke our nose in its internal matters, nor have we any right to do so. But the scenario changes altogether when they talk of Shariah (Islamic Laws). India is affected when Pakistan burns in the fires of terrorism, but those acts of terrorism and extremism provide America with opportunities to intervene in the internal affairs of Pakistan. A strong, consolidated and democratic Pakistan is always in the best interest of India. On the other hand, the strategic significance of Pakistan is well-accepted. Zardari has been proved to be a failed and dumbfounded President of Pakistan. When he will wake up is hard to say. The current drama of agreements with the Taliban could destroy the country, and the United States of America is awaiting such an opportunity." ¶6. "PAKISTAN AND TALIBAN: OUR MEDIA," editorial in the April 22 right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF, Hyderabad: "Pakistan is reeling these days, and there is no doubt it is the target of a war initiated by former US president Bush against Islam in the name of a war on terrorism. It has long been clear that after Afghanistan and Iraq, America's next target will be Pakistan. That's why America is bombarding the tribal areas of Pakistan, and has already started a campaign to malign Islam and its followers by branding them as 'Taliban' or 'Al-Qaeda'. America and its allies are determined to make the situation in Pakistan explosive. Only God knows how many people in the Pakistan government are part of this contemptible mission." -------------- US FIRST LADY AT G-20 SUMMIT -------------- ¶7. "MICHELLE OBAMA AND QUEEN ELIZABETH'S EMBRACE: US FIRST LADY EXTENDS HERSELF WELL" op-ed article by columnist Amarendra Dhaneshwar in the April 23 left-of- center Marathi daily MAHANAGAR. "Some may not have taken U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth's embrace in the right spirit. Royal etiquette dictates that the Queen not be touched unless she reaches out first. And the U.S. First Lady not only touched her but patted the Queen on her back. Whatever the demands of protocol may be, the U.S. First lady did the right thing at the right moment, and without undue extravagance. Michelle Obama's gesture speaks of a certain openness. As some columnists have already pointed out, she has NEW DELHI 00000809 003 OF 003 destroyed all manner of cultural untouchabilities and ideological belief systems that create divides between equal people of this world..." BURLEIGH