PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 12, 2010

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000339

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Summary: Coverage of two powerful bomb explosions in Bannu (NWFP)
that killed 15 people including nine policemen dominated front-pages
on Friday morning. National Security Adviser Jones's Pakistan visit
garnered extensive coverage, his meeting with President Zardari, PM
Gilani, and other senior officials, and trip to Swat valley were
highlighted in nearly all newspapers and TV networks. Media quoted
President Zardari as urging U.S. to "focus on stabilizing democracy
and economic development in Pakistan," and conveying "concerns" over
enhanced screening measures at U.S. airports. Pakistan's premier
business daily, "Business Recorder," published a by-liner article by
Deputy Secretary Treasury Wolin, titled, "Realizing Pakistan's
economic potential". Dr. Aafia's issue remained a burning question
in media, and papers reported the GOP's assurance that it would put
up a "good defense" for Dr. Aafia at the next stage of her trial by
a U.S. court, and her sister, Fauzia announced to "stage a sit-in
protest in front of the U.S. Consulate in Lahore on February 16."
"Daily Times," quoted a senior U.S. defense official (on condition
of anonymity) as claiming that the U.S. military is planning to set
up new training centers in Pakistan. "Nation" reported that the VOA
is still broadcasting its one-hour Urdu service from its original
station in the U.S. though "without proper editing." "Business
Recorder," reported the "captivating performance" of the American
Voices that is visiting Pakistan these days under the auspices of
U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Vice President Biden's statement about
Pakistan, made in an interview with CNN, that "it is not a
completely functional democracy," was also prominently displayed.
Commenting on the subject, "The News," reminded Mr. Biden that "it
was your own government that propped up the military dictatorship
which preceded our current flawed democracy for the duration of its
rule, almost a decade, and that democracy is not something you turn
on like a light bulb." Editorializing the militant attacks in Khyber
Agency, "Daily Times," observed that "their purpose is to spread the
front as far and wide as possible in order to create gaps and holes
in the security cordon. This is what asymmetrical warfare is all
about." End Summary.

TOP STORIES

News Story: 15 Killed - DPO Critically Injured: Twin Bombings
Devastate Bannu Police - "Dawn" (02/12)

"Fifteen people, seven policemen among them, were killed and 25
others wounded in Bannu on Thursday evening when two suspected
suicide bombs ripped through Police Lines. District Police Officer
Iqbal Marwat received serious injuries in the second attack and was
stated to be in critical condition. Official sources said that even
as the bodies and the wounded were being evacuated from the scene,
the second bomber blew himself up, causing more casualties."

News Story: U.S. Urged To Focus On Stabilizing Democracy, Economy
- "Dawn" (02/12)

"The government urged the United States on Thursday to focus its
help on stabilizing democracy and economic development in Pakistan.
The government's point of view on sectors the U.S. assistance should
concentrate was conveyed to National Security Adviser James Jones
during a meeting with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister
Shaukat Tarin, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.... Also on Pakistan's wish-list was
expediting disbursement of $2 billion in deferred payments of the
Coalition Support Fund and pushing the Friends of Democratic
Pakistan forum to fulfill their pledges.... Jones welcomed
Pakistan's decision to accept India's invitation for talks. He
expressed the hope that lowered tensions with India would help the
country focus on anti-extremism and counter-insurgency efforts on
the western borders."

News Story: Zardari Calls For Transfer Of Drone Technology To
Pakistan - "Daily Times" (02/12)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday called for the transfer of
drone technology to Pakistan for use by its own security forces
against the Taliban for 'wider public acceptability.' The president
said the U.S. drone attacks on Pakistani territory undermined
national consensus on the war against terrorism. Zardari expressed
these views during a meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser
General James Jones.... According to a press release, the president
said Pakistan welcomed U.S. declarations of support for Pakistan's
security and economic development, and emphasized that continued
support must be based on mutual respect and trust."

News Story: U.S. National Security Adviser Visits Swat - "Daily
Times" (02/12)

"U.S. National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen James Jones and his
delegation visited Swat on Thursday, residents said. Jones is the
first top American official to visit the region since three US
military trainers were killed in a vehicle-borne suicide attack in
Lower Dir district on February 3, Mingora residents told 'Daily
Times.'"

News Story: Government Writ Restored In Troubled Areas, Owais Tells
U.S. Team - "The News" (02/12)

"NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani in Peshawar on Thursday briefed a
U.S. delegation about the measures taken so far to curb terrorism
and militancy and the security situation in the region. 'We have
successfully restored the writ of the government in the affected
areas, both in the Frontier province and the FATA, and now our focus
is on consolidation of the system of governance and well-being of
people," the governor told the U.S. team, which was led by National
Security Adviser, General James Jones, that called on the governor,
said an official handout."

Opinion: Realizing Pakistan's Economic Potential, an op-ed by Neal

S. Wolin, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Treasury in the country's premier
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (02/12)

"Fifteen months ago, Pakistan stood on the brink of a financial
crisis. During a time of unprecedented turmoil in financial global
markets, Pakistan's unsustainable fiscal policies, made worse by the
world-wide spike in food and fuel prices, produced a dangerous set
of consequences: accelerating inflation, a collapse in the rupee,
and a profound downturn in the Pakistani economy.... Pakistan's
economic situation has stabilized, but during the current period,
Pakistan must build the foundation for an economy that is not merely
stable, but prosperous; an economy that provides the security,
educational opportunities, health care and modern infrastructure....
In addition to the substantial resources the U.S. has contributed
directly and through the IMF and World Bank, we have also committed
our best resource - our people. Complementing the work of U.S.
professionals already providing development assistance in Pakistan,
the U.S. Treasury Department advisors will soon begin providing
technical assistance to the Ministry of Finance and the Central
Bank. Through these professionals, we hope to help Pakistan develop
the tools to become financially independent by strengthening revenue
collection, debt management, and capital markets - and by increasing
the transparency of the financial system. In my meetings with senior
officials in Islamabad today, the economic challenges facing
Pakistan will be at the core of the agenda."

News Story: Government Vows Good Defence For Aafia Siddiqui -
"Dawn" (02/12)

"The government assured the National Assembly on Thursday it would
put up a 'good defence' for Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui
even at the next stage of her trial by a U.S. court where a jury
last week found her guilty of attempting to murder American soldiers
in Afghanistan."

News Story: Dr. Aafia's Sister To Stage Sit-In Protest At U.S.
Consulate On 16th - "Daily Times" (02/12)

"Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, will lead a
students' rally and stage a sit-in protest in front of the U.S.
Consulate on February 16 (Tuesday),as part of her countrywide
campaign for her sister's release."

News Story: U.S. Military Planning To Set Up New Training Centers In
Pakistan - "Daily Times" (02/12)

"The U.S. military is planning to set up new training centers inside
Pakistan where American special operations trainers would work with
Pakistani forces close to the Afghan border battle zone, a senior
defence official said. The new centers would supplement two already
operating in Pakistan, and they would be used to accelerate and
expand the training of Pakistani forces considered key to rooting
out Al Qaeda leaders hiding along the mountainous border, the
official said."

News Story: VOA Continues Using PBC Equipment For Urdu Service -
"The Nation" (02/12)

"While the Radio Pakistan management has blocked VOA Pushto-language
service, after reportedly receiving threats against airing American
propaganda, the VOA is still broadcasting its one-hour Urdu service
from its original station in the U.S. though without proper editing,
well-placed PBC sources told 'The Nation.'

News Story: U.S. Consulate General Brings Broadway to Lahore -
"Business Recorder" (02/12)

"In a captivating performance on February 9, U.S. performing arts
group, American Voices, joined Pakistani students and artists to
transform the Ali Auditorium in Lahore into a Broadway theatre.
According to U.S. Embassy Spokesman, show capped four days of
theatre workshops and rehearsals conducted by the visiting U.S.
artists during a week-long visit to the city."

News Story: Pakistan Is My Biggest Worry: Biden - "Daily Times"
(02/12)

"U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that his greatest
concern was not Afghanistan, not Iraq, nor the Iranian nuclear
crisis, but Pakistan. 'I think it's a big country. It has nuclear
weapons that are able to be deployed. It has a real significant
minority of radicalized population,' said Biden said in an interview
with CNN. 'It is not a completely functional democracy in the sense
we think about it, and so that's my greatest concern.'"

Editorial: Change The Record, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/12)


"U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden has been busy waving stereotypes
around again. Pakistan has once again been on parade as the most
dangerous country in the world. We have nuclear weapons. We are not
'a completely functional democracy' (at least he is right about
that) and we have 'a real significant minority of radicalized
population.'... Turning to the issue of democracy and its poor
functionality - well yes, true. But don't forget Mr. Biden that it
was your own government that propped up the military dictatorship
which preceded our current flawed democracy for the duration of its
rule, almost a decade, and that democracy is not something you turn
on like a light bulb."

TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES

News Story: 5 Americans Wounded In Attack At U.S. Base - "Business
Recorder" (02/12)

"A suicide bomber wearing an Afghan border policeman's uniform blew
himself up Thursday at a U.S. base near the Pakistani frontier,
wounding five Americans, an Afghan official said."

News Story: Taliban Vow Guerrilla Warfare Against Afghan, NATO
Troops - "Daily Times" (02/12)

"The Taliban vowed on Thursday to fight back with a 'hit and run'
guerrilla campaign against Western and Afghan forces preparing to
storm one of their key strongholds in southern Afghanistan.
Thousands of U.S. Marines and NATO and Afghan soldiers have massed
around the town of Marjah, a Taliban bastion in Helmand province,
poised to launch one of the biggest operations against the
insurgents since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion."

News Story: Can't Guard Every NATO Tanker, Says Balochistan IG -
"Daily Times" (02/12)

"Balochistan Inspector General of Police Javed Ali Shah Bukhari said
on Thursday that the police did not have the capacity to guard every
NATO tanker passing through the province to the neighboring
Afghanistan. Talking to a private TV channel, he said the reports
regarding the presence of the Afghan Taliban Shura in Quetta were
baseless and far from reality."

News Story: Afghans Fear Taliban Booby Traps As NATO Assault Nears
- "Daily Times" (02/12)

"Some Afghans were too afraid to leave their homes on Thursday for
fear of bombs planted by the Taliban ahead of a US-led NATO
offensive on their last big stronghold in the country's most violent
province. Some 500 people from the town of Marjah, which is expected
to be the focus of the assault, and the Nad Ali district gathered in
the Helmand provincial capital to discuss the impending operation
with elders."

POLITICAL ISSUES

News Story: PAF To Get 14 F-16s by June: Rao - "The Nation" (02/12)

"Chief of AIR Staff AIR Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman Thursday
said that Pakistan will take delivery of 14 F-16 jet fighters from
America by June this year. Briefing the visiting Senate's Standing
Committee on Defence and Defence production about operational
preparedness and AIR defence system, PAF chief said that more new
jet fighters and missiles would be inducted in the fleet. The AIR
Chief also informed the Standing Committee about skills of PAF in
recent war against terrorism in Swat and Malakand."

News Story: India Doesn't Want To Talk On Kashmir - "Daily Times"
(02/12)

"While composite dialogue is the only way forward for the resolution
of all outstanding issues and India has offered Pakistan talks, New
Delhi 'does not want to talk on Kashmir, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza
Gilani said on Thursday, the AFP news agency quoted Gilani as saying
on Thursday."

News Story: Engagement To Help Resume Composite Dialogue: FO - "The
News" (02/12)

"Pakistan on Thursday said the process of engagement with India
would lead to the resumption of composite dialogue to resolve all
outstanding issues. Addressing a weekly briefing, Foreign Office
spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had yet to respond to India's
suggestion of the proposed Foreign Secretary level talks.... He said
dialogue was the only way forward and hoped that engagement with
India would be result-oriented to resolve all outstanding disputes
between the two countries."

News Story: Pakistan's Anti-Terror Moves Led To Resumption In Talks:
Antony - "Daily Times" (02/12)

"Pakistan has taken necessary action against terrorists, which is a
positive development, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on
Thursday. The Minister was talking to the media on the sidelines of
an Asian Security Conference (ASC) organized by the Institute of
Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA). Even though we are not fully
satisfied, but resumption of dialogue is in the interest of both the
countries."

News Story: Secretary-Level Talks Raise Hopes Of Thaw In Pak-India
Relations - "Dawn" (02/12)

"Sanity has finally prevailed and one can safely say that the
foreign secretary-level talks in the last week of February is the
first serious effort since the dastardly incident of Mumbai, raising
hopes of a thaw in relations between the two South Asian
nuclear-armed neighbors. The talks, which have been encouraged if
not midwifed by Washington, certainly raise the prospect of ending
the prolonged diplomatic standoff between the two countries. But
there is still a long way to go before one could expect a
breakthrough on important issues confronting the two countries.
Analysts said the immediate challenge is to agree on a structured
framework for discussions."

News Story: Govt. Has No Option But To Implement Court Verdict: SC
- "The News" (02/12)

"A three-member bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that
the government has no option except implementing the court order in
letter and spirit. The bench, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, said
that it would decide the missing persons' case within two weeks and
would order action against people held responsible in the case.
Justice Javed Iqbal observed the independence of judiciary is linked
with the Constitution and law. He ruled out the impression that the
apex court can't enforce its decisions. He said an impression is
being created in the media that the judiciary is interfering in the
administrative matters while the fact is that we have to realize the
institutions to render their responsibilities."

ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT

News Story: Technical Assistance To CCP: U.S. FTC Team Due In March
To Explore Possibility - "Business Recorder" (02/12)

"An assessment team of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United
States would visit Pakistan to explore possibility of providing
technical assistance to the Competition Commission of Pakistan
(CCP). In this regard, CCP Chairman Khalid Mirza has visited the US
FTC to share Pakistan's experience with its US counterpart and
gathered extensive know how on policy planning initiatives and other
matters related to promoting competition. The US FTC assistance
would strengthen the Pakistani agency for protection of consumers
for carrying out studies on scientific methods for moving against
cartels. Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday."

MISCELLANEOUS

News Story: Iraq Expels 250 Former Blackwater Guards - "Dawn"
(02/12)

"The Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Bolani said on Thursday he had
expelled 250 ex-employees of the American security firm Blackwater,
whose guards were charged with killing unarmed civilians in
Baghdad."

News Story: Iran Now A Nuclear State: Ahmadinejad - "The News"
(02/12)

"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted Iran was now a nuclear nation
on Thursday as he marked the 1979 Islamic revolution, prompting the
West to warn his regime would soon be slapped with new sanctions.
'One day they said we cannot enrich uranium, but with the resistance
of our leader, nation and with the help of God, the Iranian nation
has become nuclear,' Ahmadinejad said. 'They (Americans) want to
dominate our region but the Iranian people will never let them do
that,' he said in a speech at Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square before
a crowd of hundreds of thousands."

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

Editorial: Roots of Anti-Americanism in Pakistan, an editorial in
the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir.
25,000) (02/12)

"The U.S. continues to act as a master rather than a friend,
something resented by many enlightened nationalists in Pakistan, who
otherwise strongly oppose extremism and militancy. What is needed by
the Obama administration to improve U.S. image is to fully support
democracy, respect Pakistan's sovereignty and make only those
promises, which the U.S. can really fulfill, irrespective of who
controls Washington. Only time will show if the U.S. is capable of
keeping the promise made by Robert Gates, of having a long-term
approach to Pakistan that reassures Pakistanis that 'we are a
long-time, reliable ally for Pakistan; we're going to be there with
them and for them, going into the future. And it's in every aspect,
politically, economically, and so on.'"

Editorial: Khyber Attacks, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/12)

"Three consecutive incidents in which the security forces sustained
casualties along with civilians in two different areas of the Khyber
Agency in a single day, suggest that the militants may be weakened,
but they are far from down and out.... Tirah Valley in the Khyber
Agency has long been used as a launch pad by terrorist as well as
criminal elements.... While one would like the military to adopt
better tactics, these attacks should not be seen as an anomaly or
entirely unexpected. Their purpose is to spread the front as far and
wide as possible in order to create gaps and holes in the security
cordon. This is what asymmetrical warfare is all about."

Editorial: Shifting Theatre, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/12)


"The theatre of war seems to have shifted for the moment to Khyber
Agency, where there has been a flurry of action.... The Taliban
continue to add to their ranks by roping in more and more groups
across the country. It is thought that factions of the
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other forces from Punjab already work with
them. The result of course is that the Taliban have a greater
capacity than would be expected to carry out new attacks. The
opening up of new fronts of course also puts more pressure on the
army."

Editorial: Another Attack, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/12)

"About 15 security personnel, including a brigadier and a pilot, and
seven civilians lost their lives in a gun attack, a suicide bombing
and a helicopter crash.... The question arises: how was the suicide
bomber able to travel on the roads and ambushed an army rescue party
searching for bodies? In fact, why were the agencies not able to
gain prior intelligence of this suicide bombing and arrest the
perpetrator at the initial stage where the attack was planned? It
seems our security didn't even have any prior warning. It is evident
that there has been a serious lapse of intelligence and this raises
the question: did the terrorists have inside help?"

Opinion: U.S. Trainers For Pakistan Armed Forces: An Issue Of
Serious Concern, an op-ed by Dr. Inayatullah Faizi in the
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (02/12)

"The killing of three U.S. soldiers in the Lower Dir suicide bombing
last week has exposed, for the time, the presence of American
military personnel in Pakistan, which has become a matter of much
concern among the masses. Nobody knows for how long these soldiers
were present in the area and what were their number and real
objectives. The insufficient explanation by the ISPR regarding the
presence of U.S. military personnel itself has given rise to many
suspicions. Do our armed forces need training assistance from their
worst enemy. In fact, all of our governments, including the
incumbent one, depend upon financial largesse from Washington and
this money is not without shameful strings attached to it. The
deployment of U.S. military personnel in Pakistan is also part of
those conditions. Unless and until, our ruling class change its
priorities, Pakistan cannot gain respect and prestige in the comity
of nations."

Opinion: A New Understanding for U.S. & Pakistan, an op-ed by Imtiaz
Gul in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir.
5,000) (02/12)

"Several Pakistani Generals, including Kayani, believe the praise by
Mullen and the subsequent request by Obama for additional
counterinsurgency funding reflects a new understanding among the
coalition, of Pakistani concerns and constraints. The language and
vocabulary emanating from Washington and London toward Islamabad has
changed in recent months, a prerequisite for creating greater trust
among the coalition partners, according to Pakistan Generals. Let us
see it the changed vocabulary can work in the coming months."

Opinion: The U.S. Presence in Afghanistan, an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times"
(cir. 10,000) (02/12)

"The reason why we feel reassured by the presence of big brother
U.S. around the corner in Afghanistan is the fear that the Taliban
may actually prevail if succor in the form of someone with an open
cheque book and appropriate weaponry was not available to compensate
for the destabilization caused to society and the economy... The
American presence in Afghanistan is of little positive value to the
battle that we are waging against extremism, indeed to the contrary.
Besides, of what use is an army, be it the strongest in the world,
when confronted by the invasion of an idea?"

Opinion: Vienna Convention And Sovereign Equality, an op-ed by
Mohammad Jamil in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily
"Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/12)

"The U.S. has lodged a strong protest with the government of
Pakistan on the arrest of some U.S. embassy employees and impounding
of their vehicles in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, negating the
Vienna Convention.... One should ask the Americans whether
Pakistan's top diplomats and other employees stationed in Washington
are allowed take such 'liberties' as the American diplomats and
their staffers are indulging in so freely."

Opinion: The Verdict, an op-ed by M.A. Niazi in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/12)

"The verdict in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui showed to all and
sundry the flawed nature of the American justice system,
particularly the much-vaunted trial by jury, which is supposedly
incorruptible and leads to the rule of law. The American justice
system is supposed to be one of the things for which the War on
Terror is being fought, but the trial itself shows it as defective,
as allowing the fate of a human being to be placed in the hands of a
jury of his or her peers, a jury which may well be influenced by
reasons of state.... Dr. Aafia and her fate represent why Pakistanis
are less than enthusiastic about supporting the U.S. in its War on
Terror. This also explains why the Americans are determined to
punish her. She symbolizes the might of the USA, and its
relentlessness in punishing all its enemies, even if they are in the
form of frail mothers of three. And it shows that it will not only
punish women but also children it has decided to make an example of.
Dr. Aafia is being tortured, and her kids have disappeared, so that
Americans may escape the effects of terror."

Opinion: Pakistani Taliban Apologists, an op-ed by Gulmina Bilal
Ahmad in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily
Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/12)

"The Pakistani Taliban, specifically the TTP, are individuals with a
narrow understanding and interpretation of religion as well as
limited world view. They openly declare that their ideology is to
enforce their brand of Islam in Pakistan and declare that their
objectives are to 'struggle against the Pakistani Army and NATO
forces in Afghanistan.'... It is baffling to note how anyone can
support and justify the TTP while at the same time proclaim to be
champions of democracy, rule of law, equality before the law and
most of all justice. Or do they mean justice TTP-style?... The
dictionary defines confusion as a 'state where one is unable to
place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal
identity.' This is perhaps the best way to describe the Pakistani
Taliban apologists who tragically are present in the country's
political, social, media and academic arena. Until this segment of
society is tackled, efforts for peace will remain half-baked."

Opinion: Coming Full Circle, an op-ed by Cyril Almeida in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (02/12)

"Until the public was convinced that the TTP was the enemy and had
to be defeated, there was never the possibility of military success:
locally, the population could have shielded the militants;
nationally, the public could have pressured the government to halt
the fighting. Look, though, at the history of the country over the
last 30 years and ask yourself this: who has sided with the
Islamists and militants the most? Would not generals Zia and
Musharraf top that list? (Don't scoff at the Musharraf claim: after
all, the Islamist parties controlled two provinces and had their
largest share in parliament in history on his watch.) So it's all
well and good for the generals to claim that 'public support' to
fight the militants wasn't always there - but then they should also
be honest and explain the army's role in eliminating the possibility
of that support existing earlier. Yes, the reality is that the
Pakistan Army will need to be at the forefront of the effort to
defeat militancy in this country. But don't confuse needing them
with believing them. They may have earned our gratitude for fighting
recently; trust, though, is a separate matter altogether."

Editorial: U.S. Abuse Exposed, an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/12)

"The protection an independent judiciary offers to citizens in any
democratic country were highlighted again in the case of Britain
where London's Court of Appeals forced the government to disclose
information relating to the case of former Guantanamo Bay detainee
Binyam Mohammad - an Ethiopian national who was a British
resident.... The British government had maintained that revelations
of CIA renditions and torture would destroy intelligence cooperation
with the U.S., but justice prevailed and the British court ruled
that all the details should be revealed as there was 'an
overwhelming public interest.'"

Editorial: Government And Military Leaderships Willingness For
Unconditional Dialogue With India, an editorial in the
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000)
(02/12)

"Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani admitted in a public speech the
other day in Islamabad that India is not willing to have Kashmir in
the agenda of Pak-India talks.... Even Indian Water Commissioner
had to admit that during his recent visit that Pakistan is getting
less than its share of water.... With this backdrop what forced our
government and military leaderships to agree on unconditional talks
with India when it is not willing to talk about our jugular vein
Kashmir.... India's war designs are not hidden from any one as it
goes on testing long range Agni missiles.... India hurls threats
and is bent upon committing aggression against us while American
Defense Minister tells us that India will lose its patience if a
Mumbai like incident reoccurred.... In these circumstances it is
better to reject Indian offer for dialogue unless it includes core
issues of Kashmir and water on the agenda."

Editorial: Pakistan-India Talks, an editorial in the center-right
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (02/12)

"Pakistan has decided to accept the Indian offer for secretary level
talks while declaring that the talks will be held on Kashmir and
water issues as without these issues the dialogue will be
meaningless.... Indian hostility on Kashmir in contravention of the
UN resolution on Kashmir and hurling accusations on Pakistan is the
biggest hurdle to peace in the region."

Editorial: Talks with India: government and military leadership's
joint strategy, an editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily
"Express" (cir. 25, 000) (02/12)

"A joint military and government strategy on talks with India has
been decided upon in a meeting chaired by President Zardari. It has
been decided that talks would not be conditional and that Kashmir
and water issues would be part of the agenda.... The government and
military are right in deciding that talks should not just be on
terrorism but other issues as well.... It can be said with certainty
that Pakistan has always abided by the Indus Waters Treaty and India
should not have an issue on including Kashmir and water issues in
the agenda if, as the Indian Water Commissioner said in Pakistan,
India is also sincere [in adhering to the treaty]."

Editorial: Pak-India Bridges, an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(02/12)

"One good turn can lead to another and there were a couple of
healthy turns taken on the path to a Pakistan-India dialogue on a
single day.... It's been a positive renewal - even if we are
starting from scratch all over again - and decision-makers on both
sides must avoid another false spring by committing themselves
unconditionally to the ideal of peaceful coexistence.... There is no
need at this stage to go over the long list of issues that divide
the two neighbors. What everyone should keep reminding everyone else
is that these disputes cannot be addressed without earnest
engagement.... If history is a guide, dialogue is the only way that
can help reconcile two seemingly impossible positions. In Pakistan,
and maybe in India was well, there is this fear that the other side
will somehow be able to twist the talks to its unfair advantage.
This betrays a lack of trust not only in those who represent the
people on the dialogue table but also in the public's own ability to
influence a discussion."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson