PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 27, 2010

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000208

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 27, 2010

Summary: Coverage of regional support for Afghan President Hamid
Karzai's reconciliation and reintegration efforts with the Taliban
dominated front-pages on Wednesday morning. Along with the report,
"Dawn," reported that the "United States and its allies are expected
to set up a $500 million integration fund in London this week" to
persuade Taliban fighters to join the political mainstream. All
major newspapers reported the Taliban's claim that they shot down
another U.S. drone in North Waziristan. Media reported that the
government issued a new code of conduct for movement of foreigners,
requiring them to obtain permission from "all departments of law
enforcement agencies before leaving for prohibited areas." Seven
mainstream dailies published the U.S. Mission's correction of a
media report, published on 1/26, alleging Pakistani security
officials were trained by the company formerly known as Blackwater.
"Nawa-i-Waqt" published a story claiming Blackwater officials in
Peshawar have shifted to secret locations. "The Pakistan Observer"
reported that "differences have emerged between Pakistan and the
U.S. over the amount money to be released to Pakistan under the
Coalition Support Fund (CRF)." Newspapers also reported that the
U.S. has asked Pakistan to stop blocking talks regarding the ban on
production of fissile material. Media widely covered U.S. National
Security Adviser James Jones' statement seeking greater Pakistan
action against extremism and pledging Washington's determination for
the long haul. Admiral Mike Mullen's remarks urging India and
Pakistan to "avoid public disputes" were also reported. Media also
reported that, according to a U.S. Congressionally mandated panel,
the U.S. is not prepared for a biological terrorist attack. A
Washington Post story that "Al Qaeda still aims to use weapons of
mass destruction" was prominently displayed. Talks with the Taliban
continued to dominate editorial pages. While India's role in
Afghanistan remains a concern for Pakistan (see "Summitry on
Afghanistan", "Daily Times"),most editorialists responded
positively to this development: "Dialogue With Taliban: A Right
Decision In Right Direction" ("Mushriq"); and "Inclusion of Taliban"
("Dawn"). Urdu language daily, "Islam," painted General
McChrystal's statement on Taliban inclusion in the Afghan government
as an acknowledgement of defeat ("U.S. Army's Concedes Defeat in
Afghanistan.") Urdu language dailies "Express" and "Nawa-i-Waqt,"
and English daily, "The Nation," ran editorials lauding China's
"warning" to the U.S. regarding interference in China's internal
matters and lecturing on the Kashmir issue: "China's Stance on
Kashmir and the Offer of Mediation" ("Express"); "China's Warning To
The U.S. And the Prerequisites Of Our Security" ("Nawa-i-Waqt"); and
"China Rebuffs U.S." ("The Nation"). End Summary.

TOP STORIES

News Story: Karzai Move To Win Over Taliban Gets Support - "Dawn"
(01/27)

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai won regional support on Tuesday for
his efforts to cajole Taliban to lay down their arms. A joint
statement after a meeting among the presidents of Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Turkey and officials from China, Iran and Russia
declared support for 'the Afghan national process of reconciliation
and reintegration... in a way that is Afghan-led and -driven.' After
the talks, President Karzai described moderate Taliban as 'sons of
the Afghan soil' who should be brought back into the fold."

News Story: U.S., Allies Plan $500m Fund To Woo Taliban - "Dawn"
(01/27)

"The United States and its allies are expected to set up a $500
million integration fund at a conference in London this week to lure
Taliban fighters to join the political mainstream. 'We are going to
go to London to affirm our international support for it,' said U.S.
Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke. 'Money will be forthcoming for it.
I can't say how much. The Japanese are going to take the lead.'"

News Story: Taliban Claim Shooting Down Another Drone - "The News"
(01/27)

"The Taliban in North Waziristan on Tuesday claimed to have shot
down another US drone in Boya village of Dattakhel Tehsil near the
border with Afghanistan but failed to provide any proof in this
regard. Senior government officials based in Miramshah, the main
town of North Waziristan, confirmed that a U.S. drone had crashed in
the border village of Boya, but did not know about the cause of its
crash."

News Story: New Code Of Conduct For Movement Of Foreigners Issued -
"The News" (01/27)

"The government on Tuesday issued a new code of conduct for movement
of foreigners living in Pakistan and they have been asked to take
permission from the Defence and Foreign Ministries for security
clearance, a private TV channel reported."

News Story: No Staff Trained by Blackwater For Pak Leaders'
Security, Says U.S. Embassy - "The News,"

"Business Recorder," "Pakistan Observer," "Jang," "Nawa-i-Waqt,"
"Ausaf," "Jinnah" (01/27)
"The U.S. Embassy on Tuesday contradicted and termed as 'completely
baseless and untrue' a report carried by several daily newspapers on
Monday (January 25) that Pakistani security officials trained by the
company formerly known as Blackwater have been providing security
for Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani."

News Story: Blackwater Officials Leave Residences In Peshawar, Shift
Over To Secret Locations" "Nawa-i-Waqt" (01/27)

"After strong protest from the members of the NWFP Assembly, the
Blackwater agents present in Peshawar have left their residences and
shifted over to some secret places. In a recent session of the NWFP
Assembly, senior provincial minister Bashir Bilour had admitted that
these agents were operating in Peshawar while the members of the
house had strongly protested over their presence in the city.
According to sources, as many as 15 Blackwater operatives are
providing security services to the U.S. diplomats of the Peshawar
Consulate, and these agents reside in houses situated at Old Bara
Road and University Town. But after the protest from the NWFP
Assembly members, they have shifted over to undisclosed places."

News Story: CRF Funds - Pak, U.S. Draw Battle Lines - "Pakistan
Observer" (01/27)

"Differences have emerged between Pakistan and U.S. over the amount
money to be released to Pakistan under Coalition Support Fund (CRF)
and on Tuesday the negotiation between the two countries over this
matter concluded inconclusively, Finance Ministry sources told
Online."

News Story: Pakistan Accused Of Delaying Geneva Nuclear Talks -
"Dawn" (01/27)

"Pakistan is delaying international talks on a ban on the production
of new nuclear bomb material, insisting that any deal must also
require its archrival India to reduce its existing stockpile.
President Barack Obama has pushed for the ban, and the United States
on Tuesday urged Pakistan to allow a quick start to the talks at the
UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. 'It is imperative that we
work together ... and begin substantive work in 2010,' U.S.
representative Garold N. Larson told the meeting."

News Story: U.S. Success Linked To Pakistan's Cooperation: Obama
Aide - "Dawn" (01/27)

"The U.S. success in Afghanistan is directly linked to Pakistan's
willingness to cooperate and act against the militants, says a top
Obama aide. 'It is beyond question that the speed with which we are
able to achieve our goals in Afghanistan has a link to the
willingness of Pakistan to take on the fact that safe havens exist
in the border region," said U.S. National Security Adviser James
Jones."

News Story: U.S. Urges India, Pakistan To Avoid Public Disputes -
"Dawn" (01/27)

"In a gathering that included senior Pakistani and Indian military
officials, the U.S. Military Chief urged all senior officers in
attendance to avoid the kind of public disputes that have hurt
regional relations in the past. 'I think it's really important that
we work as hard as we can with each other, and that any kind of
public accusations or public finger pointing, quite frankly, that
does not serve any of us well,' said Admiral Mike Mullen."

News Story: U.S. Not Ready For Bioterrorist Attack: Report - "Daily
Times" (01/27)

"The U.S. is not prepared for a biological terrorist attack, said a
congressionally mandated panel in a report released on Tuesday. The
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Proliferation gave President Barack Obama's administration a failing
grade for its efforts to prepare for and respond to a biological
attack, such as the release of deadly viruses or bacteria."

News Story: Al Qaeda Still Aims To Use Weapons Of Mass Destruction
- "Daily Times" (01/27)

"An American newspaper has published a report that warns that Al
Qaeda has not abandoned its goal of attacking the U.S. with a
chemical, biological or even nuclear weapon.... The Washington Post
says that the report by a former CIA official, Rolf Mowatt-Larssen,
has claimed that Al Qaeda has been far more sophisticated in its
pursuit of weapons of mass destruction than is commonly believed,
pursuing parallel paths to acquiring weapons and forging alliances
with groups that can offer resources and expertise."

TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES

News Story: 8 Americans Injured In Attack On U.S. Base In Kabul -
"Daily Times" (01/27)

"A suicide car bomber targeted a U.S. base in the Afghan capital on
Tuesday, wounding 14 people, including eight Americans, said
officials, hours after gunmen killed four policemen in southern
Afghanistan."

News Story: New Tension Flares Between U.S., Afghan Leader - "The
Nation" (01/27)

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai hit back Tuesday at stinging
criticism by the U.S. Ambassador, raising new questions about ties
between the two nations two days ahead of a key conference in
London. The New York Times published diplomatic cables sent by
President Barack Obama's envoy to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry, in which
he warned Karzai was 'not an adequate strategic partner.'"

POLITICAL ISSUES

News Story: U.S. Committed To Lasting Ties With Afghan, Pak: Hillary
- "The Nation," "The News" (01/27)

"The United States is committed to build a lasting partnership with
Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
said on Monday. 'While our military mission in Afghanistan is not
open-ended, we are committed to building lasting partnerships with
both Afghanistan and Pakistan,' she said at a joint media
availability with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in
Washington."

News Story: Zardari Asks India Not To Escalate Arms Race - "The
News" (01/27)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday expressed the hope that India
would not escalate the arms race in the region, adding that the
government would keep open the option of dialogue without lowering
its guard and would welcome technology like drone predators, the
President observed during a detailed interview with the Turkish
Radio & Television (TRT)."

News Story: Development Key To Pakistan's Fight Against Taliban:
Qureshi - "Daily Times" (01/27)

"Development programs in Pakistan's war-torn areas are an essential
part of its fight against Taliban, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood
Qureshi said on Tuesday. 'Holding and building violence-affected
areas (is) fundamental to achieving a decisive victory against
terrorism," Qureshi told the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP)
conference."

News Story: Paramilitary Troops Replace Police In Quetta - "Dawn"
(01/27)

"Paramilitary FC troops were deployed in the city and 11 policemen
were arrested on Tuesday as provincial government acted to restore
order, following violent protests on Monday by police personnel
against their low salary, a senior official said."

ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT

News Story: World Bank To Provide $6.5bn In 4 Years - "Dawn"
(01/27)

"The World Bank will provide about $6.5 billion to Pakistan over the
next four years (2010-13) to fight poverty and help overcome
economic boom-and-bust cycles, while briefing newsmen on the
forthcoming medium-term country assistance strategy in Islamabad on
Tuesday, WB Country Director Yusupha Crookes said."

News Story: Cabinet To Decide Fate Of RPPs Today - "The News"
(01/27)

"The Federal Cabinet will decide the fate of the Rental Power
Projects (RPPs) in the light of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
report on Wednesday. The Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet today
(Wednesday) with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the
chair, will review the ADB report, which clearly states that if the
RPPs are installed, the electricity tariff will go up by 45 per
cent."

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

Editorial: Inclusion of Taliban, an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(01/27)

"Despite Gen Stanley McChrystal's strong hints about the possibility
of the inclusion of some Taliban leaders in a government in
Kabul.... The realization now seems to be dawning that a troop surge
alone will not ensure victory for the International Security
Assistance Force in Afghanistan - the Taliban cannot be vanquished
by military means alone. That would make a negotiated political
arrangement crucial to ending the conflict."

Editorial: "U.S. Commander's Announcement Of Talks With The Taliban,
an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000)
(01/27)

"General McChrystal said in an interview to Financial Times that
much time has passed and now it is possible to elicit Taliban
support to form a government in Afghanistan in which senior Taliban
leaders can be included.... Another development in this respect is
the statement by the UN Mission, Afghanistan head in which he
demanded exclusion of some Taliban from the terrorists list.... The
news reports about peaceful political resolution of Afghanistan
dispute through serious dialogue with the Taliban and possibility of
their inclusion in the proposed government are pleasing for every
peace loving individual.... Pakistan should play an active role to
make the peace process fruitful in order to rid the hapless Afghan
nation of the bloodshed and destruction continuing for the last 30
years."

Editorial: Gen. Stanley McChrystal's Realization, an editorial in
the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (Cir5000) (01/27)

"The senior-most U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley
McChrystal, has said that there has been enough war, there should
now be talks with the Taliban.... It is hoped that just as the U.S.
commander is moving towards dialogue [with the Afghan Taliban], a
similar stance would be adopted towards the Pakistani Taliban. This
would indeed produce positive results. But for that to happen, the
U.S. leaders will need to give up their double standards regarding
Pakistan.... Americans would eventually need to heed Gen
McChrystal's realization that war is not the solution to all
problems, and positive results are only produced through talks."

Editorial: U.S. Army's Concedes Defeat In Afghanistan, an editorial
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir.
15,000) (01/27)

"Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal's
statement, in which he has said that the Taliban can help in running
this country, is tantamount to confess the humiliating defeat.
Anyhow we think that it is high time for Washington and its allies
to change their thinking and policies, and undertake efforts to
resolve all issues, including Afghanistan, peacefully."

Editorial: Dialogue With Taliban: A Right Decision In Right
Direction, an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily
"Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (01/27)

"The failure of the United States and its allies to defeat the
Taliban and install a pliant administration in Afghanistan is
evident from the willingness of these countries to engage the Afghan
resistance forces politically. No doubt, the new approach to
stabilize Afghanistan by including the Taliban in mainstream
politics is feasible but the resistance forces would not accept this
offer unless the foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan. The
present Afghan government, which is nothing more than a U.S. puppet,
can only play the role of a liaison between the two sides Taliban.
We think that Washington is left with no option but to reach an
agreement with the Taliban in order to stabilize Afghanistan."

Editorial: Talking Forwards, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/27)


"The talks about talks that are the talk of the diplomatic and
military circuits are those that are to be had - or are already
being had - with the Afghan Taliban which are the concern of Mr.
Karzai.... The Americans will want to have a tongue in the talking
and the British have said that whilst they support the idea of
talking in principle they are not happy with Pakistan as the sole
interlocutor and would prefer a 'team effort'. The bottom line for
the Taliban will be that they will want to talk from a position of
strength rather than weakness - easier to do in Afghanistan than in
Pakistan - and those who want to talk to them will be seeking a
similar position.... We should not expect it to be a rapid or tidy
process, nor the end result to be picture-perfect and to the
satisfaction of all."

Editorial: Pakistan Dithers, an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/27)

"The U.S. position that Pakistan continue to expand its military
operations while America alters its Afghan strategy and dialogues
with the Taliban will spell disaster for Pakistan even as it leaves
it isolated as happened the last time it entered a U.S.-led war as a
frontline state in the region. In this connection, Zardari also
needs to realize that the London Conference has little to offer
Pakistan. Even the UN seems skeptical about the outcome. There is a
general feeling that the U.S. and ISAF will use the Conference to
get support for their policies including giving India a larger
military role in Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, now that both Gates and
McChrystal have recognized the need to bring in the Taliban in any
future Afghan state structure, this issue will also come up in
London. What exactly will Pakistan be seeking under these
circumstances? Judging from our past performances on this count, it
appears that as usual we will be caught off guard."

Editorial: Summitry on Afghanistan, an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (01/27)

"The notion of a regional solution to Afghanistan's woes sounds fine
in theory, and as far as its immediate neighbors and the chief
architects of a political settlement allowing the U.S. and NATO
forces to withdraw at some future date, i.e. the U.S. and U.K. are
concerned, poses better prospects of success. The fly in the
ointment is Pakistan's opposition to opening the door further to an
Indian role, the rock on which the London conference and all similar
initiatives beloved of the west may make shipwreck."

Editorial: An Important Summit, an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (01/27)

"The Istanbul summit had particular importance in the context of the
forthcoming London conference on Afghanistan in countering the
important role that some powers have been trying to give to India in
Afghan affairs. Even otherwise more meetings between the leaders of
Pakistan and Afghanistan are called for to foil the conspiracies of
third parties out to sow seeds of discord between neighbors. The
conference in Istanbul would prove especially helpful in evolving a
joint strategy for the London conference."

Editorial: Trilateral Summit For Talks With Taliban, an editorial in
the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (01/27)

"The policy of heavy reliance on the use of force at the instance of
the United States and other Western countries has stocked further
terrorism with serious implications for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Incidentally, the United States too has come to the same conclusion
that no amount of surge in troops would work until and unless the
process of dialogue is initiated with what it dubs as good
Taliban.... We, however, believe that there is no military solution
of the conflict - be it in Afghanistan or the border region on this
side of the Durand Line, and the Government (Pakistani) will have to
ultimately settle the issue politically."

Editorial: Elimination Of Terrorism And Istanbul Conference
Declaration, an editorial in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (Cir.
25,000) (01/27)

"The Istanbul Declaration is proof of the fact that the policy
Pakistan has adopted in the 8 years of war on terror is the right
one, and only that can produce far-reaching results. Pakistan is the
first country in the region that adopted a multi-pronged policy
against terror and stressed that use of force is necessary against
extremists and terrorists, but along with that, talks must be held
with elements that renounce extremism and accept the government's
writ.... The international community must provide generous funds for
development projects in areas affected by extremism in Afghanistan
and Pakistan, as uprooting terrorism is in the interests of the
entire world."

Editorial: China Rebuffs U.S., an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/27)

"Although the reality of China's status as a world power is no
longer debatable, the U.S. prefers deceiving itself with the thought
that it still can play the role of the solitary superpower,
masterminding policies of whichever country it wants. It is somehow
not appreciating the full impact of China's rise as a global
economic giant and growing military might and its own declining
power - all that, with several other countries fast catching up in
the development field, has radically altered the scenario. Yet, it
considers its right to proffer counsels to others on both internal
and external matters. The Chinese, however, are no longer in a mood
to accept.. They have, therefore, strongly rebuffed Washington's
criticism of their attitude towards the issue of human rights and
their policy on Indo-Pakistan relations and Kashmir. China has
asserted that it needs no counseling and knows full well how to take
care of its interests."

Editorial: China's Warning To The U.S. And The Prerequisites Of Our
Security, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (01/27)

"China has warned America against interference in its internal
matters and lecturing it on India, Pakistan and Kashmir.... China
fully understands that America wants to establish its hegemony via
India in order to achieve its objectives in the region. That was
why China reiterated its principle stand on Kashmir and
categorically warned America to abstain from its aggressive
designs.... Our rulers too should openly support China and tell
America that regional peace and Pak-India friendship cannot be
achieved until the Kashmir dispute is resolved in keeping with the
UN resolutions."

Editorial: China's Stance On Kashmir And The Offer Of Mediation, an
editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000)
(01/27)

"China has warned America against interfering in its internal
matters and lecturing it on issues related to Kashmir, Pakistan and
India.... The question is: are India and the U.S. colluding to test
China's nerves? If this is true, then China has done well to give a
tit-for-tat response. The Chinese spokesman is right in saying that
the U.S. should not talk about the Kashmir issue if it cannot play a
role in helping resolve it.... Sooner or later, India will have to
choose one of two options on Kashmir: dialogue with Pakistan or
implementation of UN resolutions on the issue. And it is very
heartening that Pakistan has China's vote on [Kashmir]."

Editorial: Pakistan Losing EU Market, an editorial in the
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (01/27)

"At a time when Pakistan was seeking greater access to U.S. and
European Union markets, a report published in this newspaper has
warned that the country could even lose whatever access it already
has to EU market once the 27-member economic blocs inks deal with
India on the under-discussion Free Trade Agreement (FTA),which is
likely to be finalized next year.... This was evident from the fact
that the EU had first-ever summit meeting with Pakistan in June last
year but the initiative could not produce desired results."

Opinion: An Unwinnable War, an op-ed by Rizwan Asghar in the
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir.
55,000) (01/27)

"President Obama will not be able to win the war in Afghanistan but
he could save his country from a disgraceful defeat. However, so far
President Obama has based his strategy on the dictates of a warlike
strategy.... Obama is trying to win a losing war and which no
invader from Alexander the Great to Soviet Russia could win. The
forces of history are bound to succeed this time again. The war in
Afghanistan is not only unwinnable but its prolongation is
detrimental to U.S. national security. For American troops it is
time to move away from their infatuation with war and go back before
they bring the U.S. down to dust. Perhaps it will not be wrong to
say at this time that history is not on Obama's side. After eight
years of bloodshed and strife, Afghanistan remains an incubator for
terrorists and a haven for Al Qaeda recruits."

Opinion: Secretary Robert Gates Visit To Islamabad, an op-ed by Air
Marshal Ayaz A. Khan (R) in the Islamabad-based rightist English
daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (01/27)

"As a long time CIA top official in the past, and U.S. Secretary of
Defense under George Bush and now under Barack Obama, Gates should
have shown restraint in his pro-India utterances. No one in Obama
Administration has been mired in Pakistan for as long as Defense
Secretary Robert Gates, yet is insensitive of Pakistani feelings. He
regretted the trust deficit between Washington and Islamabad, and
tried to soothe the country gnawing rancor towards the United
States. Some U.S. officials take Pakistan for granted as a boot boy,
which could be ordered around to do their bidding. And the questions
hurled at Mr. Gates by journalists and military officials reflected
the Pakistani resentment. New York Times reports that during a
closed door session with the students and faculty at the National
Defense University at Islamabad, a military officer asked, Are you
with us or against us? Mr. Gates could hardly miss that the
Pakistani officer was mimicking former President George Bush.
Stunned Secretary Gates replied, off course we are with you. That
indeed was the essence and the message Mr. Gates wanted Pakistani to
accept."

Opinion: Snatch And Grab Pak Nukes, an op-ed by S.M. Hali in the
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir.
55,000) (01/27)

"U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, during his recent visit to
Islamabad has assured Pakistan: 'The United States has no desire to
control Pakistan's nuclear weapons or covet a single inch of its
soil or seek military bases in Pakistan.'... Perhaps, the U.S. State
Department needs to rein in its own media to avoid indulging in an
organized campaign of 'propaganda' misrepresenting the U.S.
intentions in the region lest they cause a misadventure. Pakistan is
not Iraq or Afghanistan. Its military is battle hardened and its
Nuclear Command Authority fully capable of exercising the nuclear
option at the exact moment and the precise targets. Our South Asian
neighbors should join forces to thwart any external aggression. If
India is also involved in this conspiracy, it should be mindful that
if the Pakistani nukes are targeted today, the Indian nukes can meet
the same fate tomorrow."

Opinion: The Time To Talk To The Taliban Is Now, an op-ed by Ahmed
Rashid in the Peshawar-based independent regional daily "The
Statesman" (cir. 3,000) (01/27)

"The vast majority of Afghans do not want the return of a Taliban
regime despite their anger at the Karzai government and the general
international failure to deliver economic progress. Many Afghans
believe that as long as western troops remain, there is still the
hope that security can return and their lives change for the
better.... There is an urgent need for a publicly promoted strategy
involving concrete efforts to build political institutions and
provide humanitarian aid in ways that do not require intrusive
western control - a strategy that could attract many members of the
Taliban, reduce violence, and placate Afghans who are opposed to
such compromises. Obama officials have talked up the need for such a
strategy but accomplished little during his first year. Yet such
goals are of paramount importance."
Opinion: Drones And The Law, an op-ed by Rafia Zakaria in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (01/27)

"While there has been much anger and public outcry against the drone
attacks in Pakistan, there have been few attempts to present
objections to international forums where the violations of
international instruments can be noted. Commentators in the
Pakistani media have focused exclusively on the utility of these
attacks in killing foreign fighters rather than their legality. The
problem with the former approach is that it evaluates the attacks
from the angle of political and tactical considerations at the
expense of the legal. Given the increasing frequency of drone
attacks in Pakistan, as well as the likelihood of the expansion of
the program, it is imperative that human rights and civil society
groups in Pakistan unite in protesting the illegality of the attacks
and attempt to garner the support of the international community
against them."

News Analysis: Troika On Rampage, by Sikander Shaheen in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(01/27)

"U.S. covert organisation Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA)
notorious reputation to eliminate its 'enemies' is known well to the
world and its intensive efforts, which have been underway since
long, to form a vicious alliance with Israel and India have finally
begun to show.... Apart from that, as reported by U.S. Homeland
Security Newswire and local Indian media, Israel and India, in
December last year, had a series of meetings of joint defence
working group focusing counterterrorism and intelligence sharing,
delivery of weapons and enhancement of cooperation in research and
development.... Given that the U.S. barely sees any signs of success
in its so-called war on terror in Afghanistan, U.S. and Israel are
encouraging Indian military and economic presence in Afghanistan to
serve the purpose. While Pakistan is asked to 'do more' the U.S. and
India, with the help of pro-American Afghan government, are all set
to engage 'likeminded' and moderate Taliban into talks, to use them
for destabilizing Pakistan and Iran. Under the scenario, the
situation deems fit into what is described by some analysts as
FINISH plan, abbreviated from 'financial ruin, infrastructure
destruction, nuclear scientists elimination, Indian hegemony,
seizing of physical nuclear weapons and harassing Pakistan's
leadership and its public.'"

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson