MEDIA REACTION: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, INDIA-SRI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000152

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: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, INDIA-SRI
LANKA RELATIONS, CLIMATE CHANGE, SECURITY IN ASIA; 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.

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INDO-PAK RELATIONS
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1. "TENSION BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN," editorial in
January 27 right-of-center Urdu daily ETEMAAD: "The US
Defense Secretary's recent disclosure about different
terror groups in the Afghan-Pakistan region vindicates
India's fear that one more attack from Pakistani area
is possible. Unfortunately, Pakistan is not ready to
accept the truth. It wants to use these extremist
groups against India. It is the sign of Pakistan's
political bankruptcy that it wants to create the same
atmosphere in India under which it is reeling itself."

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INDIA-SRI LANKA RELATIONS
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2. "LANKA YEARNS FOR PEACE," editorial in January 28
centrist Marathi daily, SAKAL: "Mahindra Rajepakshe's
win in Sri Lanka tells a lot about the Sri Lankan
people's urge to greet a civilian leadership, as
against the military rule of rival candidate Sarath
Fonseka. It shows the popular support to Rajepakshe's
fight against the militant-terrorist outfit of LTTE.
People in Sri Lanka want a leader who can rebuild a
strong unified and respectable democracy, and end the
political crises. This is good news for India as well -
- peace in Sri Lanka, or anywhere in South Asia, serves
India's long-term interests."


3. "CONQUERING SRI LANKA, ONCE AGAIN," editorial in
January 28 independent Kolkata Bengali daily,
ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "President Rajapakshe's re-
election proves that the majority of the masses in his
country support his work. Rajapakshe will now be able
to fan the Sinhalease nationalism for some more years
by exhibiting this mass support. Cordoning the hotel
where Fonseka and top opposition leaders as well as the
foreign media were camping was probably aimed at
terrorizing the opponent. That Rajapakshe does not have
much faith in democratic norms has already been
established. These developments do not bode well for
the blossoming of democracy in Sri Lanka."

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CLIMATE CHANGE
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4. "BEYOND COPENHAGEN," editorial in January 27 Hindi
daily, NAI DUNIYA: "India, Brazil, China and South
Africa, together called the BASIC countries have
rightly said the 'Copenhagen Accord' is only a
political agreement and not legally binding as being

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argued by the developed countries. The efforts of more
than 155 developing countries were sabotaged and
thwarted from day one by rich countries under the
leadership of the US. They tried to hijack the summit
with the so-called 'Copenhagen Accord' that would kill
the Kyoto Protocol. If the developing countries stay
together and combine their forces, then developed
nations will not be able to play games on climate
change."

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SECURITY IN ASIA
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5. "PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH KOREA," editorial in January
27 Hindi daily, NAI DUNIYA: "In a rare honor, India
invited South Korean President Lee Myung Bak as chief
guest at India's Republic Day celebrations. Seoul is
clearly keen to engage Delhi in defense cooperation.
With the world's sixth largest armed forces, South
Korea has already signed a pact with India for securing
its sea routes. South Korea is one of the major
investment partners in India. There are about 300
Korean companies here. India bestowed this honor upon
South Korea in recognition of its economic power. In
today's world, it makes sense for India to strike a
partnership with South Korea."
ROEMER