MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN / TALIBAN, SRI LANKA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000823

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: PAKISTAN / TALIBAN, SRI LANKA
UNREST, U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS, U.S.ECONOMY; 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.

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PAKISTAN / TALIBAN
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1. "WE TOO HAVE TO FIGHT THE TALIBAN," op-ed in April 23
right-of-center AMAR UJALA Hindi daily by columnist
Kuldip Talwar: "The Pakistan government believes that the
Sharia deal with the Taliban in the Swat Valley will
strengthen peace in the country. The international
community is, however, not so sure. The Pakistani
government's stamp of legitimacy to the Taliban is a
matter of concern to other nations. The global community
is watching with unease the expanding reign of the
Taliban in Pakistan. This could accentuate tensions
between Pakistan and the U.S. Meanwhile, this rising
fanaticism in our neighborhood is a big danger for India.
The Taliban are inching closer and we need to be
prepared."


2. "TALIBAN: AN INTERNATIONAL TERROR," editorial in the
April 24 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ:
"America is worried about the Taliban's presence near
Islamabad. India also faces a threat, and is open to
obtaining Israel's help in thwarting the Taliban. The
Jewish lobby wants American strategic and financial
support extended to India. According to the think tank
Council on Foreign Relations, the new generation of
Taliban and Al Qaeda will have nuclear weapons and
Pakistan will be their epicenter. The governments of
Pakistan and Afghanistan lack the capability to control
extremism and terrorism because they have limited
resources, and the leadership and government institutions
of both countries are too weak to thwart the impending
danger."


3. "HILLARY'S WARNING," editorial in April 24 Kolkata
independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "Hillary Clinton's
warning clearly shows America's concern about Pakistan...
she seems sorry that public opinion in Pakistan has yet
to turn against their government's increasing surrender
to the Taliban and Al Qaida. However, instead of helping
Pakistan to strengthen its democratic institutions, the
U.S. has always backed its military dictators. These
leaders have received huge incentives from Washington for
their loyalty, while they consolidated their position by
supporting the jehadi forces through the ISI. So why cry
about it now?"

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SRI LANKA UNREST
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4. "LAST SCUFFLE OF TAMIL TIGERS," editorial in the April
24 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "Sri
Lanka's war against the Tamil Tigers has reached its
final and decisive phase. But the question is whether it

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is really the last struggle of the LTTE? That remains to
be seen. It is possible that Prabhakaran could become
untraceable, like Osama Bin Laden."


5. "LTTE NEARLY FINISHED" editorial in April 24 Guwahati
Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. "The LTTE's
downfall is imminent, but conditions for Sri Lankan
Tamils remains as they were nearly three decades ago.
There was a time when the LTTE could have solved the
problem through negotiation to secure the political
interests of the Tamils. But it chose to reject the
government's offer of self-rule. NOW it has lost
everything - public support, the sympathy of the
international community, and its ability to fight against
the Sri Lankan army..."

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U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS
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6. "U.S AND CUBA HEAD TOWARDS POSITIVE RELATIONS" op-ed
article by columnist V D Ranade in the April 24 centrist
daily NAVASHAKTI. "President Obama's bid to repair
relations with Latin American countries, particularly
estranged Cuba, is definitely a highlight of the
recently-concluded fifth summit of the Americas.
Acknowledging the presence of U.S. critics in the region,
Obama did not just admit the need for a far more positive
U.S. contribution in Latin America; he even said that the
U.S. could learn a lesson from Cuba, which for decades
has sent doctors to other Latin America countries to care
for the poor. Obama presented a more all-inclusive agenda
for Latin America than his predecessors, who focused on
trade and counter-narcotics programs..."


7. "US-Cuba relations," editorial in April 24 left-of-
center Kannada daily PRAJAVANI: "US President Obama's
effort to extend a hand of friendship to Cuba, forgetting
the bitter past, is truly laudable. The leaders of both
the countries should waste no time in starting
talks. Obama is taking steps to improve ties with Latin
American countries. An improved relationship with Cuba
would be a great achievement for the U.S."

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U.S.ECONOMY
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8. "Obama's War," editorial in April 24 pro-DMK Tamil
daily DINAKARAN: "Following the hue and cry from credit
card holders, President Obama has initiated strong
action. Obama's plan includes providing more time to
repay installments, reducing interest rates, and minimum
ages for issuance of credit cards. While banks are
opposing this move, Obama said that Americans are
addicted to credit cards, and the government would come
to their rescue.
BURLEIGH