MEDIA REACTION: INDIA/PAKISTAN/U.S.,

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 000280 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: INDIA/PAKISTAN/U.S., AFGHANISTAN; 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. -------------- INDIA/PAKISTAN/U.S. -------------- ¶1. "INDO-PAK TALKS UNDER U.S. PRESSURE," editorial in February 10 Leftist Kolkata Bengali daily, GANASHAKTI: "India has offered a resumption of talks with Pakistan under U.S. pressure. This is the latest example of America's meddling in India's foreign and defense policy, courtesy of the Indo-U.S. strategic partnership. Obama is committed to continue the legacy of U.S. imperialism. The success of America's war on terror along the Af-Pak border depends on the improvement of the Indo-Pak relationship. So, the Obama Administration will have to become the driving force behind the Indo-Pak talks on the Kashmir issue." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶2. "AFTER AMERICA'S WITHDRAWAL," op-ed article by A K Trikha in centrist Marathi daily SAKAL: "America is in a hurry to withdraw from Afghanistan and that explains why the Obama administration believes that there is a thing called 'the good Taliban' which can be won over on the negotiating table. The U.S. has expressed faith in the talks with this 'good' Taliban which will help the U.S. to fight the 'bad Taliban' and strengthen President Karzai after the U.S. leaves the war-ravaged country. The U.S. should not take any hasty decision in Afghanistan. This could lead to serious repercussions in Asia, particularly in India, which faces the terrorist threat from both Afghanistan and Pakistan." ROEMER