PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 05, 2010

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000294

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 05, 2010

Summary: Coverage of India's offer to resume dialogue with Pakistan
dominated front pages on Friday morning. Reaction to the conviction
of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui garnered extensive coverage. Newspapers
reported protests across Pakistan labeling the verdict and America
as anti-Muslim. Papers carried official statements by President
Zardari and the Foreign Office Spokesman expressing concern and
dismay over the verdict. Media reported Siddiqui's family's demand
that Pakistan stop supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan until she
is released. Some dailies highlighted the Afghan Taliban's threat
to execute a captive American soldier if Siddiqui is not released.
Newspapers reported the arrest of 30 suspects in connection with the
Lower Dir bombing. Several dailies carried Special Representative
Holbrooke's comments clarifying that the three American soldiers
killed in the incident were U.S. military trainers and not
contractors working for Xe Services, the firm formerly known as
Blackwater. The English daily, "Dawn," also reported Holbrooke's
statement that reconciling conflicting regional security interests
is a major dilemma for the U.S. in Afghanistan. Media also
highlighted General McChrystal's remarks urging NATO allies to send
thousands of trainers to help strengthen Afghan security forces and
exploit a window of opportunity to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Two Urdu language newspapers published the U.S. Mission's press
release rejecting as "entirely false" media reports that NATO
aircraft violated Pakistani airspace in Zhob (Baluchistan). Media
coverage of the military offensive in Bajaur Agency continued, with
reports of 15 militants, including four foreigners, killed. End
Summary.

TOP STORIES

News Story: Pakistan Seeks Details Of Agenda: India Changes Tune;
Offers High-Level Talks - "Dawn" (02/05)

"The Foreign Office said on Thursday it had sought clarification
from New Delhi of its proposal for talks at the level of Foreign
Secretaries. A senior Foreign Ministry official told 'Dawn' that
India has proposed a meeting between Foreign Secretaries of the two
countries, but has suggested no agenda. Diplomatic observers here
are of the opinion that India would like the talks to focus on
terrorism as against Pakistan's desire of resumption of full-scale
Composite Dialogue which was suspended after the 26/11 Mumbai
attacks."

News Story: U.S. Welcomes Indian Offer Of Talks With Pak - "The
Nation" (02/05)

"The Obama Administration on Friday welcomed the Indian proposal to
hold talks with Pakistan at the level of Foreign Secretary. 'This is
a welcome move,' the Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Affairs, P.J. Crowley, told reporters at the Foggy Bottom
headquarters of the State Department."

News Story: Pakistan Expresses Dismay Over Unexpected Verdict Of
American Jury In Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's Case - "The News" (02/25)

"Pakistan Thursday expressed dismay over unexpected verdict of the
American jury in Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case. Reacting to the judgment
in this case, Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said the
Government will consult family of Dr. Aafia and the team of defence
lawyers to determine future course of action."

News Story: Anger, Protest Over Conviction Of Dr. Aafia - "Dawn"
(02/05)

"Political and lawyer leaders reacted angrily over the conviction in
a U.S. court of neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui branding the
decision American's bias against the Muslims. Dr. Siddiqui was
convicted for the attempted killing of U.S. agents while in
detention in Afghanistan in 2008."

News Story: Zardari Orders Govt. To Provide Legal Aid To Aafia -
"Dawn" (02/05)

"As demonstrations were held in various cities and towns of the
country on Thursday in protest against an American jury verdict
against Pakistani Neuro-Scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, President Asif
Ali Zardari ordered the government to provide all possible legal
assistance to Dr. Aafia."

News Story: Aafia's Family Wants NATO Supplies Shut - "The Nation"
(02/05)

"The family of Dr Aafia Siddiqui believes that she will be released
within three days if Pakistan closes down supplies to the NATO
troops fighting in the war-ravaged country.... Dr Fauzia Siddiqui,
an elder sister of Dr. Aafia, said while addressing a Press
conference at her residence along with Senator Talha Mahmood, the
Chairman of the Senate's Standing Committee on Interior Affairs here
on Thursday."

News Story: Taliban To Execute U.S. Soldier If Aafia Not Released -
"The News" (02/05)

"The Afghan Taliban on Thursday demanded the release of Dr. Aafia
Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist who has been convicted by the U.S.
court on charges of her alleged attempt to murder U.S. soldiers in
Afghanistan, and threatened to execute an American soldier they were
holding currently. They claimed Aafia Siddiqui's family had
approached the Taliban network through a Jirga of notables, seeking
their assistance to put pressure on the U.S. to provide her
justice."

News Story: 30 Arrested After Attack On U.S. Forces - "The Nation"
(02/05)

"Police have arrested 30 suspects in connection with a bombing that
killed three American soldiers, three children and a Pakistani
paramilitary soldier outside a girls' school, an officer said."

News Story: Soldiers, Not Blackwater Personnel Killed In Dir: U.S.
- "Dawn" (02/05)

"The three Americans killed by an improvised explosive device in Dir
were U.S. military trainers and not contractors working for Xe
Services, the firm formerly known as Blackwater, says Richard
Holbrooke. The U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and
Pakistan told reporters that two more American military personnel
were injured in the roadside blast on Wednesday and were evacuated
to Islamabad. All five were part of a convoy on the way to the
inauguration of a girls' school in the area, Mr. Holbrooke said."

News Story: Soldiers' Deaths Draw Focus To U.S. In Pakistan - "The
Post" (02/05)

"The deaths of three American soldiers in a Taliban suicide attack
on Wednesday lifted the veil on United States military assistance to
Pakistan that the authorities here would like to keep quiet and the
Americans, as the donors, chafe at not receiving credit for, reports
New York Times."

News Story: India-Pakistan Conflict A Dilemma For U.S. - "Dawn"
(02/05)

"A major dilemma for the United States in Afghanistan is to
reconcile the conflicting security interests of countries like India
and Pakistan, says a senior U.S. official. "The Indians have a
legitimate series of security interests in that region, as do a
number of other countries including, of course, Pakistan, China, and
all the other countries that neighbor on Afghanistan," said Richard
Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for the Pak-Afghan region,
when asked to comment on the traditional jostling between Pakistan
and India for greater influence in Afghanistan."

News Story: U.S. Urges Allies To Send Trainers To Afghanistan -
"Dawn" (02/05)

"The United States on Thursday urged NATO allies to send thousands
of trainers to help strengthen Afghan security forces and exploit a
window of opportunity to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The
request came as the top commander in Afghanistan, U.S. General
Stanley McChrystal, said that security was not deteriorating but
that the corner had not yet been turned."

News Story: No NATO Aircraft Violated Pakistan's Airspace: U.S. -
"Ausaf," "Al-Akhbar" (02/05)

"U.S. Embassy has contradicted media reports that NATO aircraft
violated Pakistan's airspace in the Zhob district on Wednesday. This
accusation is entirely false. No NATO aircraft flew over the Zhob
district as alleged in the article. Coalition and U.S. air
operations in Afghanistan conducted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan
border region are closely coordinated with Pakistan's Air Force."

News Story: NATO Denies, But Jets Continue To Violate Pak Airspace -
"The News" (02/05)

"Pakistan has ordered security forces deployed on its western border
to remain alert following airspace violation by the NATO aircraft on
Thursday. Sources said at least two jet fighters of the NATO
violated the Pakistan airspace twice and entered into the territory
at Qamardin, a village situation near Zhob district of Balochistan
province." (Story not available online)

News Story: Foreigners Among 15 Killed - "Dawn" (02/05)

"Fifteen militants, four of them foreigners, were killed and 10
injured when security forces backed by jets and helicopter gunships
attacked militants' positions in Bajaur on Thursday."

TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES

News Story: Bomber May Have Hit U.S. Vehicle With Help: Official -
"Dawn" (02/05)

"Suspicion intensified Thursday that a suicide car bomber who killed
three U.S. soldiers training Pakistani troops along the Afghan
border had inside information on their movements. If confirmed that
Wednesday's suicide attack was aimed at the Americans, it would
indicate an increased sophistication in militant tactics, as well as
potential infiltration of extremists in Pakistani security forces.
The attack on U.S. forces occurred in Lower Dir, a northwest
district believed to be a crossroads for al-Qaida and the Taliban."


News Story: Pakistan Faces Backlash After Attack On U.S. Troops -
"Dawn" (02/05)

"The Taliban bombing that killed three U.S. special forces soldiers
in Pakistan on Wednesday could further weaken the government and
hurt U.S. efforts to win more backing in the fight against
militants. 'It will only convince the public, even moderate
Pakistanis who are anti-Taliban, that the government is doing
nothing expect lying to them, and the military for that matter,'
said Ahmed Rashid, a Pakistani analyst and expert on militants. 'It
will be a big blow for public morale.'"

News Story: NATO Commander Calls On Kayani - "Daily Times" (02/05)

"Commander of NATO training mission in Afghanistan Lt. General
William B. Caldwell on Thursday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday at General Headquarters.
The visiting dignitary remained with the COAS for some time and
discussed matters of professional interest."

News Story: U.S. Confirms Hakimullah's Death - "Dawn" (02/05)

"U.S. counter-terrorism officials are now confirming that Pakistani
Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is dead, the U.S. media reported on
Thursday. Both CNN and Fox News quoted senior U.S. intelligence
officials as saying that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief was killed
in a drone attack last month."

POLITICAL ISSUES

News Story: Troika Discusses Security, Indian Offer - "Dawn"
(02/05)

"President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and
Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held an
important meeting on Thursday evening and discussed issues relating
to national security and the ongoing drive against extremism and
militancy. The meeting gained added significance as it took place in
the backdrop of the latest Indian offer of foreign secretary-level
talks to resume the stalled composite dialogue with Pakistan."

News Story: Pakistan Would Welcome Dialogue With India: FM - "The
News" (02/05)

"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Thursday said India is
signaling that it is ready to hold bilateral talks, a move Pakistan
would welcome if the talks lead to the resumption of full dialogue,
which India suspended in late 2008, a private news channel
reported."

ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT

News Story: Pakistan Unlikely To Seek New IMF Funding - "Dawn"
(02/05)

"Pakistan is unlikely to enter another lending program with the
International Monetary Fund, but a final decision will be taken
towards the end of the year, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said on
Thursday."

MISCELLANEOUS

News Story: Iran Tells Gulf U.S. Missiles Could Be Made Useless -
"Dawn" (02/05)

"A senior Iranian military official told Gulf states on Thursday not
to squander money on U.S. missiles, saying that Iran could render
them useless, the state news agency Irna reported. Tehran on
Wednesday slammed plans by the United States to beef up defence in
the Gulf against potential Iranian missile attacks, with the Islamic
republic insisting it posed no threat to its neighbors."

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

Editorial: Lower Dir Attack, an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(02/05)

"The Taliban would doubtless be euphoric over Wednesday's attack
that killed three American servicemen who were reportedly on a
training mission with the Frontier Corps.... What the Americans were
doing there and the tragedy that followed are a typical example of
the lack of a clear demarcation of lines that often characterizes
coordination between Pakistani and American agencies at tactical
levels.... It goes without saying that the Taliban wouldn't miss any
opportunity to make themselves felt and strike even if this leads to
heavy civilian casualties. What is important, however, is to realize
that the Taliban suicide bomber could not have struck without a
tip-off from insiders. The 'probe' that invariably follows such
tragedies should consider this aspect of the security situation and
flush out those among the Pakistani establishment who serve as the
Taliban's eyes and ears."

Editorial: Open And Brutal War, an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/05)

"In a bomb attack on a military convoy in Lower Dir, three American
soldiers and four female students lost their lives.... It seems as
if the TTP tried to kill two birds with one stone: killing American
soldiers who were training Pakistani forces to fight the Taliban and
al Qaeda and blowing up a girls' school as they have been doing in
the past. It is horrendous that the Taliban once again did not
shrink from attacking young female children. It proves once more
that these fanatics have no mercy for anyone, women, children or the
old. Those elements that have been advocating holding a dialogue
with the Taliban need to open their eyes and see the true face of
these monsters.... The only solution to the problem lies in pursuing
the militants with full zeal. There should not be any let up in the
operations against them. We have to see this struggle through to the
bitter end."

Editorial: Killing Of U.S. Soldiers In Dir Ignite Rumors, an
editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan
Observer" (cir. 5,000) (02/05)

"Thursday's incident in Dir has confirmed that American troops are
very much present in Pakistan and engaged in questionable
activities.... In fact, reports have been appearing in media that
American troops, intelligence personnel and agents of entities like
Blackwater are found everywhere in the country, roaming freely and
engaged in mysterious activities. There are apprehensions that their
activities go beyond the scope of the war on terror, as they seem to
be more interested in gathering sensitive information. The Dir
incident requires explanation both from the Government of Pakistan
and the United States, as it shows that there are some hidden
aspects of the mutual cooperation as well, which come to surface on
such occasions."

Editorial: Lower Dir Bomb Blast: Something Needs To Be Clarified, an
editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (02/05)

"The Lower Dir suicide bombing is a clear manifestation that the
militants are still hiding in the Malakand division, which has been
cleared by the army after operation, and their communication system
is intact. This attack has also disclosed, for the first time, the
presence of American military personnel in the far-flung areas of
the country. We think that the government must tell the real facts
behind this issue."

Editorial: Lower Dir Suicide Attack: Another Futile Act, an
editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir.
55,000) (02/05)

"The Lower Dir suicide bombing was different from other terrorist
attacks, which played havoc in various parts of the country, in a
sense that the U.S. soldiers were its real target. Though, these
instructors had been assigned the duty to impart training to the FC
personnel, but their participation in a civil ceremony has raised
many questions about the real motives behind their arrival in
Pakistan. In fact, the Pakistani public has serious reservations on
the deployment of U.S. military personnel in the country and the
killing of these American soldiers has reinforced the propaganda of
certain elements who allege that Washington is interfering in our
internal affairs."

Editorial: The World Must Listen To General Kayani, an editorial in
the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir.
25,000) (02/05)

"By sidelining Pakistan, the international community would be
betraying a friend of peace and stability in the region and adding
to the miseries of the Afghan people. What our political leadership
and diplomats may not have said in such stark words, the army chief
has, and we hope the world would listen to him. As to the London
conference decision to 'buy over' a few thousands Afghans that must
appeal to those to see Afghans as saleable commodity but, as General
Kayani said, the Afghans 'sit on crossroads to see who is winning
and who is losing'. Though the general is normally a man of a few
words, what he says, he means, and that the world should
understand."

Editorial: Dr. Aafia And The U.S. Justice System, an editorial in
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (02/05)

"In an unceremonious end to one of the most controversial cases to
hit the U.S.-led, Pakistan-supported 'war on terror', Dr. Aafia
Siddiqui has been found guilty by a U.S. court of attempting to
murder American soldiers whilst being detained for questioning in
Afghanistan in 2008.... Dr. Aafia's verdict was too predictable. The
decision reeks of pre-judgment. If she is guilty, justice should run
its course and be seen to be so doing, and if she is innocent, the
entire Pakistani nation would like to have this long suffering
citizen back home. Cases such as this are undermining the American
constitution and justice system when too many questions remain
unanswered and too many people remain unconvinced of the United
States' intentions towards its perceived or real enemies within the
Muslim community."

Editorial: Judged Guilty, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05)


"The trail from an ordinary middle-class household to top
universities in the U.S. and then to prison in New York needs to be
followed. It could offer an insight into the working of extremism.
There is reason to believe that even now, groups are active in
attempting to win over the minds of the best and brightest in the
country. They must be prevented from doing so. This is possible only
by rising above the hysteria that has been constantly present in the
case of Dr. Aafia and by logically, and truthfully, investigating
the many facets that lie behind her tragic story."

Editorial: Aafia: Victim of 9/11, an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/05)

"When the statistics are added up, it will be found that Pakistanis
have been the worst victims of 9/11 and the U.S. military crusade
targeting many Muslim states and people in the wake of that
September act of terror.... So it should not have surprised anyone
to find Dr Aafia in the dock in a courtroom in New York City, where
the trauma of 9/11 was probably most palpable, after having been
battered, bruised and abused for an indefinite period in Bagram
airbase, Afghanistan. For anyone who thought she would actually get
justice, the jury decision on Wednesday should have cleared that
little misconception about the US and its jury-based judicial
system.... Today Dr Aafia is not just one Pakistani victim of 9/11;
through her, the whole nation stands abused and victimized for a
crime they did not commit. As for the state, it has died for all but
the ruling elite of Pakistan."

Editorial: Injustice Delivered To Dr. Aafia In The Name Of Justice,
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf"
(cir. 10,000) (02/05)

"In a statement after the conviction of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui by the
U.S. Federal Court, her sister has appealed to the Pakistani nation
to remain calm. It seems that she gave this statement in a state of
utter delusion because neither the demonstration of peace nor any
protest by the Pakistani people can force the U.S. government to
treat Pakistan as a sovereign country. To speak the truth, our
rulers can even sell the sons and daughters of the soil for
dollars."

Editorial: Conviction Of Dr. Aafia By U.S. 'Jirga System', an
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/05)

"The conviction of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has exposed the true face of
the American judicial system to the whole world. The verdict of the
so-called 'Jury of U.S. Citizens' has surpassed the most inhuman
punishments awarded by tribal Jirga systems throughout the world. We
think that this decision would result in more hatred against America
in the Muslim world."

Editorial: Dr. Aafia Convicted, an editorial in the second-largest,
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/05)

"In order to convict foreigners the American society portrays them
as terrorists. There is an American adage that 'first pronounce
someone as a mad person and then kill him.' The entire Muslim
community should protest over the American bias against Dr. Aafia."


Editorial: American Court's Decision Against Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, an
editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000)
(02/05)

"Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was accused of attempting to murder two American
soldiers and one FBI official in Gazni province of Afghanistan. No
one was injured in the alleged shootout.... Afghan police arrested
Dr. Aafia and accused her of having chemicals canisters and some
notes in her possession. However, neither the chemical possession
case was framed against her nor was she charged with terrorism. On
the second day of her arrest she was charged with attempting to
murder Americans.... It is believed that she was abducted from
Karachi along with her kids in March 2003 and kept secretly at
Bagram Airbase.... Those who arrested or kidnapped her did not
bother to think about severity of the crime. It is dramatic to have
some prisoner accused of firing shots with a snatched gun, but the
allegation cannot hide the crime of kidnapping children.
Investigation into the abduction of children is the responsibility
of the American administration.... If a British woman journalist
would not have exposed the imprisonment (of Aafia) her minor son
would have still be in jail."

Editorial: Vulnerable?, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05)


"Nuclear safety once again exercises the minds of the U.S. Defence
Intelligence Agency. Apparently our nuclear assets are 'safe but
vulnerable' which would appear to be a contradiction in terms....
The Americans have spent a lot of money in recent years helping us
upgrade our nuclear security and there is no reason to believe that
they are any more vulnerable than those of India, North Korea or
China - or America itself. Militarily, the Taliban have not the
slightest chance of ever seizing, let alone detonating if they can
assemble all the various parts, any of our nuclear weapons. So what
are the vulnerabilities that so trouble Lt-Gen Burgess?"
Editorial: A Rational Approach, an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/05)

"Gen. Kayani's incisive analysis of the sticky wicket the country
stands on brings to light the dilemma of politicians irrevocably
bogged down in a battle for political survival and hardly concerned
about such crucial issues. They had better gird up their loins and
seriously judge the situation. It is high time the PPP-led
dispensation's hobnobbing with the U.S. and its apologetic stance
toward the Indians was substituted with a rational approach that can
keep Pakistan out of harm's way."

Editorial: Quest For Peace, an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(02/05)

"Briefing the media in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani
admitted being India-centric as he explained the Pakistan military
high command's view of the situation in the region. He reiterated
Pakistan's old security concerns of which India and an Indian
presence in Afghanistan have always been a part. Gen. Kayani
maintained that Pakistan cannot afford to lower its guard and must
base its strategy on India's military capability, not its intentions
which could change at any point. But that was only one of the
messages that came out from the meeting. Reports say the army chief
also emphasized the need for a Pak-India dialogue. He said, and he
was in sync with the political leadership of the country in making
this statement, that Delhi should not allow 'a single terrorist act
of a non-state actor' to scuttle the peace initiative."

Opinion: Some Victories But Pitfalls Ahead, an op-ed by Shafqat
Mahmood in the populist, often sensational national English daily
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05)

"It is critically vital for Pakistan to interact with the American
establishment and make it understand the difficulties inherent in
its new Afghan strategy. This has to be done now so that a course
correction is possible or at least Pakistan's point of view is
clearly understood. Any mismatch between American expectations and
our compulsions has the potential to affect our domestic struggle
against terrorism. A similar negative impact on our fight against
terrorism has become visible because of Indian military's attempt to
create a cold-start capability. In simplest terms, it means the
ability to attack an adversary without warning. This is done by
going on the offensive without mobilization. If India develops such
a capability, obviously the Pakistani military has to be ready to
face it. Protestation by the Indians that they have no desire to
launch such an attack is not enough. As General Kayani says, his
responsibility is to prepare for Indian capability, not become
comfortable with its good intent."

Opinion: Fumbling Response To A 'Cold' Doctrine, an op-ed by Ayaz
Amir in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The
News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05)

"For the Cold Start Doctrine is not out of science fiction. It is
now the heart of India's war plans against Pakistan.... The idea
that if Pakistan is up to any mischief, and if it is to be taught a
lesson, the way to deal with it is in the fashion of blitzkrieg:
rapid armored thrusts, backed by heavy airpower, to hit at chosen
targets in Pakistan and cripple the capacity of its army to
retaliate. This presupposes rapid mobilization and the ability to
attack before Pakistan has a chance to respond. In other words,
catching Pakistan unawares.... We can't match India tank to tank or
plane to plane. Such an arms race would be suicidal for us. Nor is
it enough to say that our nuke capability is an adequate defence
against conventional military attack. It is not. Down this path is
Armageddon and even to think along such lines is to enter the realm
of despair. If it is only the nuclear option that we can think of
then it is a poor reflection on the resources still left to us."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson