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. -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- INDIA-SRI LANKA RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- CLIMATE CHANGE -------------- ¶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 NEW DELHI 00000152 002 OF 002 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." -------------- SECURITY IN ASIA -------------- ¶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