MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000855

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, H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK
(SWINE FLU),SRI LANKA UNREST; 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.

--------------
PAKISTAN
--------------


1. "TALIBAN'S HOLD OVER PAKISTAN," op-ed article by
columnist R.R. Palsokar in April 29 centrist Marathi
daily SAKAAL: "The conflict in Pakistan has various
facets. First, political clashes between Asif Zardari's
Pakistan People's Party and Nawaz Sharif's Muslim League
are pulling the administration from different sides, not
to mention the complications added by former president
Pervez Musharraf. Second, there is a clear divide
between the Pashtun people living in the Northwest
frontier and those in Punjab and Sindh. The Punjabis and
Sindhis cannot relate to the Taliban-controlled
Northwest. Third, there is a perennial conflict between
the Pakistani people and government. Pakistan is
therefore a global worry, but even more for India."

--------------
H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK (SWINE FLU)
--------------


2. "NOW SWINE FLU" editorial in April 29 centrist Marathi
daily LOKMAT: "The news of the swine flu outbreak in
Mexico has spread fear all over the globe. In these days
of economic recession, even superpowers like the U.S. do
not want an additional worry. This scare is hitting the
world economy at a bad time. It will heavily influence
the timing of the end of this global recession. Most
Asian markets have tumbled on the news... worries over the
spread of swine flu are likely to affect airline and
tourism-related stocks..."


3. "HUMAN BEINGS' HELPLESSNESS IN FIGHTING SWINE FLU,"
editorial in April 29 centrist Gujarati biweekly business
daily VYAPAR. "There are times when nature settles
scores with human beings. This time it is through the
outbreak of a flu that started from Mexico and has NOW
reached epidemic levels, leaving 80 people dead thus
far. This is nature's way of reminding us humans not to
exceed our limits and tamper with the laws of nature.
What will our approach be on this? During episodes of
mad cow disease and bird flu, humans killed thousands of
animals and birds that spread such diseases. Although
impractical, the logical question arises: will human
beings NOW kill humans affected with this Swine flu
[H1N1] to safeguard others? It is also pathetic that a
human civilization that has conquered the moon and Mars
doesn't have medication to fight this type of flu!"


4. "NEW HAZARD," editorial in April 29 independent
Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "Surveillance
of foreigners at points of entry, awareness campaigns,
and speedy arrangements to tackle swine flu at different
hospitals are the preliminary steps for controlling the

NEW DELHI 00000855 002 OF 002


virus. They must be taken immediately."


5. "SWINE FLU: PRECAUTIONS NEEDED," editorial in April
29, Bangalore-based left-of-center Kannada daily
PRAJAVANI: "It is a great relief that the Union
government has rightly stepped up surveillance measures
at all airports and seaports to check the spread of swine
flu. The union government should take all possible steps
to put precautionary measures in place to monitor the
situation."

--------------
SRI LANKA UNREST
--------------


6. "THE VEXED SRI LANKA KNOT," editorial in April 28
nationalist Hindi daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "If the Sri
Lankan government declares a formal ceasefire, it will be
a major success for India. At the same time, India does
not deserve all credit since the U.N., European nations
and the United States issued appeals to the Sri Lankan
government to cease the violence. This present let-up in
fighting is, therefore, just a tactical retreat dictated
by an international furore over civilian killings. The
Lanka government's decision came in response to
tremendous international pressure to halt hostilities,
and the LTTE announcement of a ceasefire. Colombo is
totally consumed with catching LTTE supremo Prabhakaran.
Although there may be a temporary truce, the Lanka
government will not give up the fight at this crucial and
decisive stage."


7. "RAJAPAKSE'S COMPASSION," editorial in the April 29
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.
"President Rajapakse's assurance will not provide any ray
of hope for the families of thousands of innocent Tamils.
Prabhakaran's warriors are virtually trapped... they are
counting their final moments... those who will survive in
refugee camps at the mercy of the Sri Lankan forces also
cannot expect to have any honorable equal citizenship."
BURLEIGH