MEDIA REACTION: TERRORISM, INDO-PAK RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000133 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: TERRORISM, INDO-PAK RELATIONS, OBAMA PRESIDENCY, INDO-PAK RELATIONS/INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE; 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. -------------- TERRORISM -------------- ¶1. "AMERICA IS INTERESTED IN AN INDO-PAK CONFLICT" editorial in January 25 centrist Gujarati daily, GUJARATMITRA: "America's Defense Secretary's warning that India's patience will run out if there is a repeat of 26/11 attacks is an indirect heads-up to Pakistan. Despite being fully aware that Pakistan is a sanctuary of terrorism, has America taken any concrete action besides issuing hollow warnings? America merely wants to make both Pakistan and India 'weapon addicts' so that America's weapons industry continues to prosper..." ¶2. "AL-QAEDA'S TENTACLES SPREADING FAR AND WIDE," editorial in January 23 centrist Gujarati daily, JANMABHOOMI: "Despite America's massive efforts to exterminate Al-Qaeda from Afghanistan, the latter has spread its tentacles in Pakistan, Africa and Yemen. Besides, Al-Qaeda's pledge to create a 'Pan Islamic' block from Pakistan to Central Asia might enhance terrorist attacks in the days ahead..." -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶3. "MEANINGLESS RHETORIC," editorial in January 24 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "It is either a dire coincidence or immaturity of the policy-makers of India and Pakistan that they continue to make provocative statements. PM Gilani's statement that Pakistan cannot give a guarantee against a repeat of the 26/11-type attack on Mumbai shows his irresponsible attitude. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates should react to this statement, and not keep quiet... The Indian Defense Minister's statement that the country is ready to deal with such attacks is also meaningless... Pakistan does not seem to be ready for self-assessment. Therefore, it is not only exposing itself to the terrorist threat, but creating challenges for India's internal security." ¶4. "COMPULSION, OR IRRESPONSIBILITY," editorial in January 23 Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "Pakistan may not guarantee that Mumbai-type attacks cannot be carried out on India again, but it is not doing enough to eliminate terrorism. That was the indication and implication of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' remarks when he said one cannot expect unlimited patience from India." ¶5. "PAKISTAN: HELPLESSNESS, HOSTILITY OR MERE HARD LUCK," editorial in January 23 right-of-center Gujarati NEW DELHI 00000133 002 OF 003 daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "...Pakistani Prime Minster Gilani's statement (warning) vis-`-vis 26/11 attacks speaks much about Pakistan's approach towards India. This blatant language once again reminds India and her leaders of the need for a strategy to deal with this mischievous neighbor. This also brings to light that while Pakistan is in no mood to shed its hostility towards India, some selfish elements in India speak aloud about 'aman' (peace) with Pakistan." A similar editorial appeared in Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. ¶6. "PAKISTAN REMAINS AT THE SAME POSITION," editorial in January 25 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Terrorism is a boon to Islamabad because it strives to sustain its diplomatic existence almost entirely on India-baiting. However, it is time Islamabad should ponder on how long it would be able to play with this fire. Without Washington's constant pressure Islamabad will never coolly consider its implication. So, the Obama Administration has a big responsibility to perform. Post 26/11 India has been showing enough patience but Pakistan failed to make any headway with the trial of the LeT terrorists." ¶7. "DUAL STANDARD OF AMERICA," editorial in January 24 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Whether it is Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or any x,y,z American authority, all of them have Janus faces. Whenever they are in India, they try to appease India, and when they are in Pakistan, they propitiate the politicians there. In fact, the U.S administration does not have any consideration except its own vested interests. It uses different stooges in different regions of the world, and when the motives are accomplished, it turns to new pastures leaving them alone and aloof. It is a bitter fact that Pakistan itself has nurtured and supported all these terrorist elements, who are now threatening the very existence of Pakistan. However, it is for sure that tension between India and Pakistan escalated due to recent dual statements of American Defense Minister." -------------- OBAMA PRESIDENCY -------------- ¶8. "OBAMA TARGETS FAT CATS," editorial in January 23 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "President Obama's proposal for tougher regulations of major U.S. banks is welcome and shows that his heart still ticks for the common taxpayer. Not that he has been able to affect the kind of reforms he advocated in his presidential campaign, but he is making an attempt to enact common- sense reforms that will protect American taxpayers and the American economy from future crises. Obama intends to limit speculation by commercial banks and to keep financial institutions from growing so big that they pose a risk to the economic system. In fact, Democrats' devastating loss in the Massachusetts Senate race has put Obama on the alert. The White House is renewing Obama's demand for an independent consumer financial NEW DELHI 00000133 003 OF 003 protection agency as part of the proposed overhaul." -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS/INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE -------------- ¶9. "IPL IMBROGLIO," editorial in January 23 right-of- center Urdu daily SIASAT: "Such a political game in playgrounds may be termed as most inappropriate. It may diminish the global sympathy to India. Undoubtedly, the IPL authorities prioritized their own interests over those of the country. Instead of mending the strained relations through games, an acrimonious atmosphere is being created. It is right to say that Pakistan should deliberate to find the causes of cold bilateral relations with India. But such sort of narrow- mindedness in the fields of games can never be justified." ROEMER