MEDIA REACTION: DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES VISIT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000104 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES VISIT, AFGHANISTAN, PRESIDENT OBAMA, INDO-PAK RELATIONS, TERRORISM; NEW DELHI. This countrywide cable reports on relevant media reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. The Mission reports on English-language media via email through the daily "Early Edition" summary. -------------- DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES VISIT -------------- ¶1. "U.S. ACCEPTANCE," editorial in January 21 Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates who visited India recently said two important things. First, India may not be as patient as the last time if it were to be attacked again by Pakistani militants. Second, he warned India of another imminent terror attack. Actually, Gates wants India to become a part of the international effort against terrorism. The U.S. has in the past acted only in its self-interest, even supporting Pakistan. But Gates seems to have accepted the truth that India is a victim of Pakistan-originated terrorism. Hope the rest of the U.S. administration falls in line with him." ¶2. "GATES THREATENING," editorial in January 22 Leftist Kolkata Bengali daily, GANASHAKTI: "Going by the remarks of Secretary Gates, it appears that the U.S. is deeply concerned over terrorist violence. The main objective of his observations is to mount tremendous pressure on Pakistan. But doesn't he know who is responsible for rearing terrorists in Pakistan? No matter what the U.S. says, both India and Pakistan should resume bilateral discussions. This will help eliminate the possibility of fishing in troubled waters by any third party." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶3. "ASSAULT BY TALIBAN," editorial in January 20 right- of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "The American President has put into use his entire military might against the Taliban. As a superpower, America has the responsibility to play its role, but the problem is that in that effort it is making enemies and creating hatred." ¶4. "TALIBAN ATTACK," editorial in January 20 Hindi daily, NAI DUNIYA: "From the recent vicious Taliban attack in Kabul it is clear that despite the presence of the NATO forces the danger is still hovering over President Hamid Karzai and his cabinet. It is noteworthy that this attack has been launched when U.S. President Obama has sent more troops to take a decisive action in the war in Afghanistan. With this attack, the Taliban quite clearly wanted to demonstrate their strength, but the Taliban do not realize that such attacks will not deter the U.S." ¶5. "OBAMA FACES FRESH TALIBAN CHALLENGE," editorial in NEW DELHI 00000104 002 OF 003 January 19 Guwahati Assamese centrist, DAINIK JANASADHARAN: "The recent Taliban attack in Afghanistan has created a lot of skepticism about the future of Obama's Af-Pak policy. His decision to deploy more troops in Afghanistan might boomerang. He is likely to face adverse reactions at home if more American soldiers die in the battlefield. Moreover, Obama very well understands that a military offensive is not enough to crush the Taliban. This perhaps poses a bigger challenge for him." -------------- PRESIDENT OBAMA -------------- ¶6. "HOW DID OBAMA PERFORM?" editorial in January 21 right-of-center Urdu daily, INQUILAB: "President Obama failed to practice what he has preached. He wanted to win the hearts of Muslims, but he forgot that hearts are not won by mere speeches. It needs some concrete action and political will. There is an explicit difference between the Obama of yesteryears and that of today. If his tone has changed in a year, one can imagine what will happen by the time he ends his Presidential tenure!" ¶7. "WHEEL OF CHANGE," editorial in January 22 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Senator-elect Scott Brown's victory has deep symbolic and political significance. Possibly, President Obama will have to refrain himself from implementing the highly controversial healthcare bill and that will certainly be a political defeat for him and his party. So, the change not only deepens his concern for any electoral misfortune three years from now, but also alters the present political scenario. The American psyche is now in a state of flux. It remains to be seen where it ultimately leads." -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶8. "DEFEAT OF IPL AT LOC," editorial in January 21 right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "During an auction of cricketers, no franchise purchased Pakistani cricketer. It shows that a unanimous decision had already been taken to boycott Pakistani players. We keep harping on the importance of good relations with Pakistan, and then we disgrace them! Such an act irreparably hurts bilateral relations." -------------- TERRORISM -------------- ¶9. "AL QAEDA'S EXTENSION," editorial in January 22 centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "Intelligence reports of the U.S. clearly hint towards the rapid expansion of the Al Qaeda network in Africa, Yemen and Pakistan. FBI NEW DELHI 00000104 003 OF 003 director Robert Mueller recently said that Al Qaeda and its offshoots were spreading and rebuilding and therefore the U.S. cannot take solace from the fact that Al Qaeda has been dismantled in Afghanistan. These revelations only suggest that it is time for India and the U.S. to be on the alert." ROEMER