PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 10, 2010

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000319 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 10, 2010 Summary: Coverage of Prime Minister Gilani's statement warning terrorists to "lay down their weapons, and adopt the right path or be prepared to die" dominated headlines in several newspapers. The ongoing row between the GOP and the superior judiciary was another dominant theme in media on Wednesday morning. Newspapers highlighted Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry's comments that "provision of justice is not just courts' duty," alongside PM Gilani's remarks that "each state organ has to work within its constitutional ambit." Reports about the death of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud once again started circulating. Now it is claimed that the militant had succumbed to his injuries in Multan while being shifted to Karachi for treatment. "Dawn" front-paged a report that a U.S. national security team, led by General Jones, is visiting Pakistan for crucial talks. Media also reported that the U.S. soldiers launched a preliminary operation in support of a planned major attack on Helmand in southern Afghanistan. "The Nation," reported a Taliban claim regarding development of a new bomb nicknamed "Omar" that cannot be detected by the Western mine sweepers. Interior Minister Rehman Malik's statement "persistently denying" the presence of Blackwater in Pakistan, and his admission that American firm DynCorp was allowed in 2003 to train law enforcing agencies, received prominent display. Commenting on the GOP's denial of the Blackwater presence in Pakistan, "The Nation," observed that the "issue is fast descending into a shameful farce at the level of the government," whereas, its sister Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt" maintained that "if the rulers' inner fear is stopping them from taking action against the Blackwater, then the general public should be allowed to take note of the anti-state activities." End Summary. End Summary. TOP STORIES Adopt Right Path Or Be Prepared To Die, Gilani Warns Terrorists - "Daily Times" (02/10) "Terrorists should lay down their weapons and adopt the right path or face death, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday. Addressing a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) parliamentary party meeting at the Prime Minister's House, he said the government could not ignore terrorism as 'it is not only the issue of our survival but of our coming generations.'" Provision Of Justice Not Sole Duty Of Courts: CJ - "Dawn" (02/10) "Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said on Tuesday that it was a 'wrong notion' that administration of justice in a country like Pakistan was 'the sole duty of courts or the legal fraternity.' 'For such a wrong notion, the allied institutions have started feeling relaxed as a result whereof good governance is being compromised,' the Chief Justice said at a full-court reference held to bid farewell to Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan, who retired on Tuesday." Fresh Speculation Over Hakeemullah's Fate - "Daily Times" (02/10) "A new frenzy of rumors about the fate of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakeemullah Mehsud began emerging on Tuesday, underscoring how tough it can be to get intelligence on the Taliban. Hakeemullah was reportedly injured in a U.S. drone strike in January. The latest rumors featured a Taliban official, who, requesting anonymity, said Hakeemullah was being taken to Karachi for treatment, but died en route in Multan." Hakimullah Dead, Say U.S. Channels, Newspapers - "Dawn" (02/10) "Taliban are confirming TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud's death, US and diplomatic sources told 'Dawn.' The U.S. media - including prominent outlets like CNN, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal - also quoted Taliban sources as saying that Hakimullah had died of the wounds he suffered in a Jan 14 drone attack in North Waziristan." U.S. Security Team Due For Crucial Talks - "Dawn" (02/10) "A U.S. national security team, led by Gen. James Jones, is visiting Pakistan for talks on the current American strategy for defeating militants in the Pak-Afghan region. Jones, who is President Barack Obama's national security adviser and a retired general, begins his official meetings in Islamabad on Wednesday." U.S. Army Closes In On Largest Taliban Stronghold - "Daily Times" (02/10) "U.S. Army soldiers launched a preliminary operation on Tuesday in support of a planned U.S.-Afghan attack on the largest Taliban-controlled town of Marjah in southern Afghanistan. NATO and Afghan officials, meanwhile, urged the Taliban holding Marjah to lay down their weapons and warned civilians there to 'keep your heads down.'" Taliban Claim To Have Developed New Bomb Called 'Omar' - "Dawn" (02/10) "The Taliban claimed on Tuesday to have developed a new bomb nicknamed 'Omar' after their leader and which they said was impossible for Western mine sweepers to detect. The biggest killer of Western troops in Afghanistan are home-made bombs, known as improvised explosive devices or IEDs, which the Taliban deploy to wide effect and detonate by remote control." Believe Me There's No Blackwater, Malik Tells NA - "The News" (02/10) "As the opposition continued to raise the question of reports of presence of Blackwater in Pakistan for the second consecutive day in the National Assembly, Interior Minister Rehman Malik persistently denied the presence of Blackwater or any other U.S. agency in the country, offering to given in camera briefing on the issue." TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES Anti-Americanism In Pakistan 'A Real Problem For Us'; Piecemeal Approach Against Militants Can't Work: Gates - "Dawn" (02/10) "U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has indicated that militant groups associated with Al Qaeda were trying to destabilize Pakistan to gain access to the country's nuclear weapons, said Gates when asked if he believed Islamabad's nuclear arsenal was under control.... In an interview to Fox News broadcast on Monday night, Gates also acknowledged the strong offensive the Pakistani military was conducting in South Waziristan and elsewhere around the country, one he said was exceeding all expectations.... Gates conceded that anti-Americanism in Pakistan was 'a real problem for us' and it was 'a legacy issue.'" Afghan Assault On Taliban To Test U.S. Strategy - "Dawn" (02/10) "A planned assault on a major Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan is the first real test of a new U.S.-led counter-insurgency strategy to re-establish government control and end the war. Operation Mushtarak is an experiment in combining the military objective of eradicating the Taliban with the need to replace their brand of harsh control with the civilian authority of Kabul, analysts said." Afghan Unrest Kills U.S., French Soldiers - "The News" (02/10) "A U.S. and French soldiers were killed in attacks in southern and eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the alliance said. The U.S. service member was killed in an improvised bomb blast in southern Afghanistan while the French was killed when his supply convoy was attacked by insurgents on a road northeast of Kabul, President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said on Tuesday." Jundullah Planning More Attacks? - "Daily Times" (02/10) "Al Qaeda-backed banned religious outfit Jundullah may strike again in the city as investigators extract clues from four militants detained in the Ashura blast case and fear that the faction may already have completed preparations for more attacks, 'Daily Times' learned on Tuesday." Bloodshed In Karachi: Foreign Role Not Implausible, Malik Tells NA - "Dawn" (02/10) "The government told the National Assembly at the end of a debate on Karachi violence that involvement of 'foreign elements' in the massacres could not be ruled out, though a final report would take three weeks. But in the context of overall law and order situation in the country, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that designs of unspecified 'hostile elements' to destabilize Pakistan had been frustrated 'but the danger has not vanished.'" Terrorists From Swat, FATA Active In Karachi: Malik - "Daily Times" (02/10) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik indicated on Tuesday that terrorists who had fled military operations in FATA and Swat are active in Karachi. Winding up debate on the Karachi violence in the National Assembly, Malik said the people of NWFP deserved special praise for their sacrifices and role in combating terrorism." 74 Killed In Bajaur Operation - "The News" (02/10) "Security forces claimed to have killed 74 militants and injured 54 others and wrested the strategically important hilltops and areas from the insurgents during the weeklong military operation in the Mamond subdivision of restive Bajaur Agency." POLITICAL ISSUES ISI Chief, Four Commanders Retiring This Year - "Dawn" (02/10) "The top brass of Pakistan Army is all set to undergo a reshaping process with the retirement of at least 12 three-star generals, including four corps commanders, during the ongoing calendar year, warranting promotion of major generals and the necessary reshuffle. Three of the lieutenant generals, including incumbent Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, are scheduled to retire next month. However, according to informed sources, Lt-Gen Pasha in all probability will get an extension 'in the interest of continuity.'" Pakistan, Iran To Work For Regional Stability - "Dawn" (02/10) "Pakistan and Iran have stressed that parliamentary relations and people-to-people contacts are two key factors in strengthening relations between the two countries. This was stated in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of National Assembly Speaker Dr. Fahmida Mirza's visit to Iran on an official invitation of her Iranian counterpart Dr. Ali Larejani." ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT $537m UN Appeal For Areas Hit By Militancy - "Dawn" (02/10) "The United Nations launched here on Tuesday an appeal for $537 million to meet immediate humanitarian needs of the vulnerable and affected people of militancy-hit areas of Pakistan.... UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan Martin Mogwanja said: 'We are expecting contributions from the international donor community, which will enable humanitarian organizations in Pakistan to continue their essential assistance in the NWFP and FATA for at least another six months.'" French Firm Gets Liquefied Natural Gas Contract - "Dawn" (02/10) "The GDF Suez of France won on Tuesday a contract for the import of 3.75 million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for up to 20 years, but efforts continued to allow its competitor Shell to import an additional 2.5 million tons for the same period.... The decision was announced after a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin." MISCELLANEOUS World Moving Swiftly To Sanction Iran: Obama - "Daily Times" (02/10) "U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the international community was moving 'fairly quickly' to impose new sanctions on Iran after Tehran started enriching uranium to a higher level. The President issued his remarks as his administration marks major progress in persuading Russia to overcome its traditional resistance to imposing new sanctions on Iran, even if it still faces opposition from China." EDITORIALS/OPINIONS Editorial: The Denial Farce, an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/10) "The Blackwater issue is fast descending into a shameful farce at the level of the government. Despite all evidence to the contrary, the Interior Minister and his Secretary continue to push the lie forward that there is no Blackwater in Pakistan.... Interior Minister also knows of other such U.S. security companies' affiliates working in Pakistan, often with Pakistani partners. So why all the lying, even to Parliament? Even when ex-CIA operatives and the Blackwater issue's investigative journalist Scahill has provided extensive evidence of these companies operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and NWFP officials as well as Pakistani investigative journalists have done their own bit of fact collection, Rehman Malik and his Secretary refuse to budge from their increasingly overt falsehoods." Editorial: "Admission and denial of Blackwater's presence in Pakistan" an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/10) "Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior Affairs, Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman said that Blackwater does not exist in Pakistan.... The members of the Committee, however, rejected Interior Ministry's stance saying, if Blackwater does not exist in Pakistan than who are the armed foreigners roaming around in the country.... The Standing Committee directed the Interior Ministry to make a clear statement after taking reports from the intellQence agencies and American Embassy. While visiting Pakistan last month the U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates had admitted Blackwater presence in Pakistan. Two days ago, the Frontier Province's Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour had pointed out the activities of Blackwater in the province.... Who can deny U.S. Defense Secretary's statement? Conditions are such that in every big city people move around in vehicles with fake registration plates and carry unlicensed weapons.... If the rulers inner fear is stopping them from taking action against Blackwater then the general public should be allowed to take note of these anti-state activities." Opinion: U.S. Vested Interests, an op-ed by Nighat Leghari in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/10) "Tragically enough our government itself is providing more and more opportunities to America to influence Pakistan's affairs more. It is a common view of Pakistani leaders that America is the country which can make or break the leaders in Pakistan. Every government considers America indispensable for support and even its survival. Pakistani government has provided the U.S. a license to do anything it desires. It is a truth that America is a fickle and untrustworthy friend. Knowing this bitter reality, Pakistan has turned a deaf ear to the results. Wavered statements about the presence of the 'Blackwater' by the government are surprising for the people of Pakistan. After long the government confessed that the 'Blackwater' is a sizable force in Pakistan working for the U.S. What type of working is that? The concerned ministry does not want to disclose it." Editorial: After Hakimullah, an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/10) "Following the death of Baitullah Mehsud last year, a power struggle within the organisation had been settled only with the intervention of the Afghan Taliban. It is possible that such intervention from across the border or from Al Qaeda may again be seen. But what is clear is that the Taliban are a weakened and splintered force. This presents its own problems. A lack of central control often makes extremist organizations still more dangerous and especially difficult to nail down.... It is important at this moment that they are not given the time and space to regroup." Editorial: Terrorists in Lahore, an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (02/10) "The recent crackdown and all these pickets that we have built around ourselves notwithstanding, what if there are more militants in our midst waiting for the right moment to strike?... They seem to have fanned out, from Peshawar to Lahore to Karachi. The law enforcers repeat that they are doing their best to thwart these troublemakers. Maybe there will be a reminder by a top official such as Interior Minister Rehman Malik that we are at war and anything could happen. What we need more than officials stating the obvious is an understanding of the Taliban network. Long into the battle, do we have a good enough idea of the makeup of the various Taliban groups? This knowledge is essential not only to neutralize the militants in their bases, but also to keep track of splinter groups making their way to other parts of the country." Opinion: U.S. Man Of War, an op-ed by S.M. Hali in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/10) "During his (Robert Gates) visit to Islamabad on January 22, he addressed the officers of National Defence University and frankly admitted that the U.S. made a 'grave mistake' by cutting defence ties with Pakistan in the early 1990s and losing interest in the region after the Soviet Union left Afghanistan. Now Mr. Gates has paid heed to General McChrystal's recommendation to negotiate with the Taliban to end the fighting. Robert Gates would be advised that if negotiation with the Taliban is to be opted for, then there should be no favorites. Already UN sanctions against five Taliban leaders have been lifted ignoring others. Gates can rise to the occasion by authorizing talks with the Taliban leaders across the board, irrespective of who was earlier sponsored by Pakistan or India or Britain or the CIA. History has presented him a unique opportunity to be remembered as a 'Man of Peace' rather than 'Man of War.'" Opinion: White Man's Tyranny, an op-ed by Iftekhar A. Khan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/10) "U.S. army has now planned a Fallujah-style attack in Majrah, Afghanistan, a centre of civilian population of about 1,80,000 inhabitants who are one of the world's most impoverished people. The aim is to terrorize local population to either submit to the occupation forces or face imminent death. No third choice. Turning the population centers to rubble is meant to send a message that resistance is unacceptable and it will be met with death and destruction. This shows that the white man hasn't spent his fury yet; his appetite for more Muslim blood remains un-sated." Opinion: Champions Of Liberty?, an op-ed by Ali Ashraf Khan in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (02/10) "Look at Americans how they have roped in the entire world in their so-called War against terror, in the background of a drama staged on 9/11 the purpose of which was nothing but to colonize oil and mineral resources of Islamic countries for their future survival and for keeping up the rest of the world under their domination.... The West attacked Afghanistan in November 2001 as a retaliation for the alleged 9/11 attacks by Muslim fundamentalist.... Nine years down the line Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar are still free, the Taliban have in an amazing fight resisted the military and technological overweight of the foreign troops and did not only reasserted themselves in their strongholds but were able to extend their influence over almost all of the country.... And now comes the surprise: With a complete failure on the military and political fronts in Afghanistan, what have the U.S. and NATO countries decided in London? They offer talks to those Taliban who will fulfill their conditions of putting down the weapons and disassociate themselves from the foreign fighters of al Qaida. We always thought that the winners put conditions on the losers and not the other way around! Why should the Taliban after having sacrificed their lives in a brutal war over almost nine years and with the enemy fatally tired and discouraged go for any such settlement?" Opinion: Afghan Stability And India, an op-ed by Dr. Huma Mir in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (02/10) "The West continues to accuse Pakistani intelligence for links to the Afghan Terror networks but fails to notice Indian linkages to terror groups wreaking havoc in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, the Western and U.S. keenness to include India in any regional forum designed to stabilize Afghanistan appears absolutely illogical to conventional thought process. One is forced to think if the U.S., British and their allies approve of Indian meddling and if destabilized Afghanistan and Pakistan somehow fit into their scheme of things! Security analyst and conspiracy theorist believe that the chaos and anarchic conditions engulfing Pakistan appear too synchronized not to be orchestrated and coordinated by outside forces. The plausible aim is to establish to the global community that unstable Pakistan is incapable of securely maintaining its nuclear weapon systems which could fall in the hands of extremists. Pakistani nuclear weapons should therefore be taken out under an international regime. Is this what the bloodletting in Afghanistan and Pakistan all about!" Opinion: The Rise Of Extremism, an op-ed by Dr. Manzur Ejaz in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/10) "The rise of the right wing conservative religious forces in Pakistan was due to a combination of factors. A changing economy, military adventures and backward state institutions played a main role in giving rise to Jihadism, etc. It was not dictator Zia or other military rulers who were the only players in such an outcome.... After the Afghan war ended, the US left in haste, leaving behind the mess of several hundred thousand Jihadis. The Pakistani establishment, intoxicated by the routing of the Soviets, undertook ventures to conquer Afghanistan and Kashmir, and destabilize India. The mullah-military nexus was further strengthened, playing havoc with all other institutions of the state. The rapidly changing political economy of Pakistan through the electronic media and other technologies was unsettling the institutions as well. This was the worst combination of factors that created anarchy and lawlessness in the country. This phase has been prevalent till very recently, despite the U.S. intervention after 9/11. However, the situation has been changing for the last few years with some institutions of the state getting stronger and the mullah-military alliance teetering. Emerging trends need a lengthy discussion which is beyond the scope of this column." Opinion: Revenge Attacks, an op-ed by Air Marshal Ayaz A. Khan (R) in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (02/10) "Revenge attacks is the terminology used by U.S. defense analysts when talking about the escalation of drone attacks on militant targets in North Waziristan. The spate of daily Predator strikes on suspected militant hideouts is clearly motivated to avenge the suicide bombing on CIA base in Khost on December 30, which killed seven senior CIA agents including the base commander.... After the drone related death of Baitullah Mehsud the Taliban went on rampage and massacred about one thousand innocent Pakistani men women and children in revenge suicide bombings.... Pakistani protests regarding violations of territory, airspace and sovereignty are being ignored with contempt. But the world community needs to take notice of the revenge factor which is more than clear.... In the collateral damage hundreds of innocent people could have died. The atrocious cycle of violence and revenge must end.... With the Taliban hopefully declaring ceasefire in Pakistan, Americans must stop drone bombings of Pakistani territory and violation of its airspace. A different policy towards Washington would be needed if drone bombing is not stopped." Opinion: Some Critical Questions, an op-ed by Yousuf Nazar in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (02/10) "There is no doubt that fundamentalism and terrorism are a serious threat to our country, but the views about 9/11 and the United States 'being the only country that can help' need to be analyzed with cold logic and in the context of some critical questions about 9/11 that were raised by serious Americans who did not make the movie Loose Change.... The U.S. government and its intelligence agencies have major credibility issues. Their record, unfortunately, includes lies, deliberate disinformation and doctored intelligence - all designed to promote and implement hidden agendas like conquest of the oil fields in Iraq behind the smokescreen of the weapons of mass destruction that never existed." Opinion: No Need To Dialogue In Haste, an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/10) "The fact is that backdoor diplomacy in the context of Pakistan and India is a negative factor because of the trust deficit between the two countries; and the trust deficit between the rulers and ruled within Pakistan itself. Too many agreements and deals have been made without either establishing a consensus, even when there is a democratic set up, or even informing the people of what has been handed over to an external power in terms of access and sovereignty. No wonder the U.S. has once again come up with support for backchannel diplomacy between Pakistan and India! This way, secret deals can be cut with the U.S. involved while the people of Pakistan get short changed again.... Let us not waste time on back channel diplomacy which has no credibility in the Pakistan-India context historically and now with the U.S. as its main backer! Finally, unless the government is clear on its agenda and red lines, and policy makers well informed, there is no need to commence a dialogue in haste. The Indians are prepared and we must also prepare ourselves for a long haul. We waited endlessly with constant offers for the renewal of dialogue; now it has become a necessity for India. Let it wait for a while too." Opinion: The Indians Are Coming!, an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/10) "Pakistan and India must address their mutual concerns devoid of anger or malice, lest the next hiatus in relations, when it comes, does not last longer and end in disaster. This is not an idle caution, nor a needless one. The degree of animus some of the participants bring to the table is inexcusable. The timing of the Indian initiative has understandably aroused speculation; it even surprised Indian diplomats. Prime Minister Gilani ascribed it to 'international pressure.' India, on the other hand, claims that it is 'a calculated initiative to unlock the dialogue process.' Chances are that it is both. Indeed, there may well be a third factor, a 'calculated' and perhaps conjoined Indo-U.S. initiative, not so much to 'unlock the dialogue process' as to help America enlist Pakistan's grudging support for the forthcoming 'surge.' And, if none of the above, then at the very least it serves as an encouraging curtain-raiser for the intensified fighting that is expected to commence momentarily in Afghanistan as the American 'surge' gets underway, for which Pakistan's cooperation is indispensable. Viewed thus, the decision to resume talks with Pakistan was not so much a belated admission by India of a policy that had failed but rather an astute maneuver to augment American pressure on Pakistan prior to the surge." Opinion: Our Image Abroad, an op-ed by Tayyab Siddiqui in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/10) "The prime concerns of the international community today are terrorism and nuclear proliferation in the global context. Our record, both in respect of terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation, is known to all. Pakistan's role in the war against terror as a front-line state has been gravely sullied with reports of Amnesty International saying that terrorist suspects were held in Pakistani investigation centers and handed over to U.S. agents without any legal process for a bounty of $5,000 each. Musharraf in his autobiography has confirmed that millions of dollars were paid by the U.S. for 369 alleged terrorists handed over to the U.S. authorities. This should give us a reason for reflection. If we are sincere in projecting the soft image of our country, our representatives abroad must have the wherewithal in terms of domestic politics and policies." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson