MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, MIDDLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000088 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: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, MIDDLE EAST CRISIS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "NOW IS THE TIME TO REALLY COME TO THE POINT" editorial in the January 15, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "It is commendable that India's Home minister P. Chidambaram spoke of the possibility of breaking off business, transport and tourist links with Pakistan and isolating it from the rest of the world if Pakistan fails to help investigate the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Enough evidence of Pakistan-based terrorists' complicity in the Mumbai attacks lies on the negotiating table. Pakistan has done nothing to assist India to bring the terrorists to justice. Much like earlier Pakistani governments, which listened to the dictates of the army, the current Asif Zardari-led government is also buying time. It is time to choose a new, aggressive strategy, both diplomatic and political, towards Pakistan, even if any strategy has its inherent risks..." Similar editorial was carried in the SAKAAL Marathi daily. ¶2. "STRANGE ATTITUDE," editorial in January 14 right-of- center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in New Delhi on Tuesday that he did not agree with the perception that Pakistani official agencies' were involved in the Mumbai terror attacks. This statement from Britain is not surprising because the U.S. just said the same thing recently. Britain is known for toeing the American line, and that's exactly what it has done. The U.S. and U.K. cannot give a clean chit to official Pakistan, because the whole world knows the diabolical games that Pakistan's ISI spy agency plays. The kind of preparations the attackers came with are not possible without some sort of official assistance. But the U.S. and U.K. cannot be expected to acknowledge that because they are only bothered about their own narrow interests." ¶3. "ZARDARI GETTING OUT OF CONTROL," op-ed in January 14 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by former diplomat and parliamentarian Kuldip Nayar: "Zardari got a standing ovation when his views were telecast live before a distinguished audience in Delhi. The same Zardari seems to have become a spokesman of forces which do not take kindly to India. India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's charge that Pakistan uses terrorism as an instrument for state policy is too serious to be rejected as a baseless accusation. The Pakistani leadership should realize that Singh is pointing his finger at the establishment which seems to have taken over in the name of security, defense or other reasons. Zardari needs to be strengthened so that he is able to take to task those who want to push Pakistan away from the democratic, liberal ethos that the NEW DELHI 00000088 002 OF 003 elected government represents. But if the government defends the (terrorist) handlers it will lose sympathy. That is how Washington distanced itself from Islamabad after equating the two only a fortnight ago." ¶4. "INDIA'S STANCE & PAKISTAN", editorial in January 14 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, exchanged their views on the subject of terrorism. The issue of terrorism has gained priority on India's list in the aftermath of the attacks on Mumbai. All the leaders of the world are discussing the issue with the Indian leadership. India has utilized its diplomatic prowess well and has handled its foreign affairs remarkably well in order to put pressure on Pakistan from all corners. If both India and Pakistan look at the present international situation closely and try to connect the recent developments with the motives of a few American institutions, they could very well comprehend the depth of the conspiracies being hatched. In light of the present circumstances, dignitaries from America have been frequently visiting both countries. These visit seek to create an impression that America is trying to minimize the escalating tendencies to war between the two countries." -------------- MIDDLE EAST CRISIS -------------- ¶5. "WHAT LANGUAGE WOULD ISRAEL UNDERSTAND" editorial in January 14 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: "17 days after Israel started its onslaught and began terrorizing innocent Muslims in Gaza, the bloody game continues. The terrestrial, aerial and naval attacks together have claimed thousands of innocent lives, and caused grievous injury to over five thousand people. Lack of proper medical facilities, doctors and medicines has done further damage by snuffing out the remaining hopes of survival. Israel is surrounded by Muslim countries on all sides. If they gird their loins, dissuade Israel from using their territory to launch attacks and cut off all supplies including the fuel needed to launch offensives, perhaps Israel will be forced to reconsider its plans. However, looking at the array of traitors and hypocrites amongst the ranks of Muslim leaders, it does not seem probable that this scheme would emerge successful. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the people of Israel, as well as that of Arab countries, to take their political leaders to task." ¶6. "ISRAEL AND AMERICA'S SAGA OF TEARS", editorial in January 14 right-of-center Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "One just cannot expect truthfulness, peace and justice from the Israeli premier, Ehud Olmert. He is but a packet of lies. However, he is not wrong when he says that he was the one who kept America away from voting in the United Nations. Since the concept of democracy in the lexicon of America is just superficial, it considers the democratic set up in Israel as the best in the world. Not only that, America is keen on extending all possible NEW DELHI 00000088 003 OF 003 political & moral support to further Israeli influence in the West Asian region. This partisan side of America is not concealed from anyone. No amount of criticism or condemnation has any effect on it. In fact, America has been surviving so far on shamelessness, impudence and stubbornness, which have now become part and parcel of its national character. George W Bush has contributed greatly to this with his actions and judgments." -------------- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -------------- ¶7. "ENQUIRY COMMISSION ON BUSH'S CRIMES", editorial in January 14 right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi: "Now only a few days are left before the newly elected president of United States, Barack Obama, takes charge. He is supposed to take the oath of office on January 20, marking the end of Bush era. The western powers believe the sacrificial goat takes upon itself all the sins of man. The people of America have made a great sacrifice by electing a colored man to the top post. Bush in fact created terror all over the world in the name of wiping out terrorism. The world has never been more insecure, paranoid and unstable in its entire history. Hundreds of innocent people from all over the world were picked up and taken to Guantanamo Bay. There, they were subjected to the most inhumane treatment. The epidemic of hate and revenge was gradually made to spread to every part of the world. Had the United States taken action against al Qaeda only, no one would have complained" MULFORD