MEDIA REACTION: NEPAL, PAKISTAN; NEW DELHI.

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 000904 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: NEPAL, PAKISTAN; 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. -------------- NEPAL -------------- ¶1. "THE NEPAL PROBLEM," editorial in May 5 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "The army and the Maoists have been at loggerheads since the Maoist government of Prachanda came into power in Nepal. Prachanda was forced to fire the Army chief Katuwal because of the latter's insubordination. There is clearly a lack of trust among the various players in Nepal's fledgling system. Nepal's parties must resolve this by putting their heads together. Under no circumstances should democracy be lost or compromised." ¶2. "INSTABILITY IN NEPAL," editorial in May 5 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "The Nepal crisis has occurred because the leadership cannot see beyond their personal interests. Also, the interim system is not clear about rights and responsibilities. The international community, including India, will have to prevent this crisis from worsening and ensure that the democratic process is not hindered. India should not only use its influence with Nepal, but also in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan." ¶3. "ENORMOUS CRISIS" editorial in May 6 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. "Nepal is facing a new crisis, and India's name has been dragged into this. For India, its Himalayan neighbor is important, both diplomatically and strategically... it is in everyone's interest, however, that Nepal be left alone to handle its crisis without any external interference." -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶4. "PAKISTAN - A HEADACHE FOR AMERICA" editorial in May 6 left-of-center Marathi daily LOKSATTA: "By no stretch of the imagination can Pakistan be called an ally of America. In fact, it is the new U.S. President's biggest headache. America's biggest fear is a Taliban takeover of Pakistan. Army general Ashfaq Kayani treats India as an enemy nation and would rather use the Pakistani army against India than against the insurgents. President Zardari is a confused soul. According to him, terrorism has flourished in Pakistan due to the U.S.' confrontational stance toward Afghanistan... so it's the U.S.' job to fight the terrorists in Pakistan!" BURLEIGH