SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000298 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: SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF SECSTATE REMARKS AT U.S.-ISLAMIC WORLD FORUM SUMMARY: The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the four consulates widely distributed to the media Secretary Hillary Clinton's February 14 remarks at the U.S.- Islamic World Forum in Doha. Two popular Muslim- readership websites NewAgeIslam.com and Unnindia.com (United News Network online Urdu news agency) posted the speech prominently on their homepages. While editorial reactions are yet to appear, the speech generated widespread reporting in the Indian media, particularly the Urdu press. Barring a few exceptions, coverage was generally straightforward and objective. Any commentary will be reported in subsequent media reaction cables. Headlines and synopses of news reports from Indian's leading press follow. This report incorporates input from New Delhi and the four Consulates General in India. END SUMMARY NEWS SUMMARY ¶1. Wire reports appearing in the Indian media highlighted the Secretary's remarks on Iran. Secretary Clinton was reported saying that Iran has not lived up to its nuclear obligations and has rebuffed U.S. and international efforts to engage in serious talks. Iran has a right to nuclear power, but only if shown unequivocally it is to be used just for peaceful purposes, she said. In her speech, the Secretary was reported saying that the U.S. and others were working on "new measures" to try to persuade Iran to change its course. Later, during a question-and-answer session, she said: "The evidence is accumulating that that is exactly what they are trying to do." NEWS HEADLINES ¶2. India's regional and vernacular newspapers ran wire stories from Dha. Some headlines follow: -- "Iran slipping towards military dictatorship"- THE TIMES OF INDIA English daily -- "Iran moving toward military dictatorship, says Clinton" - INDIAN EXPRESS English daily -- "Clinton calls for tougher sanctions against Iran" - THE STATESMAN English daily -- "Hillary fears military dictatorship in Iran"- DECCAN CHRONICLE English daily -- "Clinton calls for tougher sanctions on Iran" - DECCAN HERALD English daily -- "More regulations on Iran: Hillary"- SAKSHI Telugu Daily -- "Clinton calls for tougher sanctions on Iran"- HINDI MILAP Hindi Daily -- "Iran is becoming a military dictatorship: Clinton"- SIASAT Urdu daily -- "Clinton calls for tougher sanctions against Iran" - MUNSIF Urdu daily -- "America conspires to divide the Islamic world: U.S. engaged in isolating Iran" - AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQUE Urdu daily -- "The United States has no interest in occupying Afghanistan: Hillary Clinton" - SAHAFAT Urdu daily -- "Hillary Clinton visits Arab countries to garner support against Iran" - HAMARA SAMAJ Urdu daily NEW DELHI 00000298 002 OF 002 SUBJECT: SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF SECSTATE REMARKS AT U.S.-ISLAMIC WORLD FORUM SUMMARY: The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the four consulates widely distributed to the media Secretary Hillary Clinton's February 14 remarks at the U.S.- Islamic World Forum in Doha. Two popular Muslim- readership websites NewAgeIslam.com and Unnindia.com (United News Network online Urdu news agency) posted the speech prominently on their homepages. While editorial reactions are yet to appear, the speech generated widespread reporting in the Indian media, particularly the Urdu press. Barring a few exceptions, coverage was generally straightforward and objective. Any commentary will be reported in subsequent media reaction cables. Headlines and synopses of news reports from Indian's leading press follow. This report incorporates input from New Delhi and the four Consulates General in India. END SUMMARY NEWS SUMMARY -- "U.S. intensifies efforts for strict sanctions against Iran" - JADEED IN-DINON Urdu daily -- "Clinton urges Iran to reconsider nuclear policy; Says Tehran's stance left the world little choice" - AWAM Urdu daily -- "Hillary tells Iran to reconsider 'dangerous' n- policy; Says US has no interest in occupying Afghanistan" - PRATAP Urdu daily -- "U.S., Israel intensify efforts to stop Iran's nuclear program" - MILAP Urdu daily -- "Hillary Clinton visits Doha; Obama eager to forge special relationship with Islamic world" - JADEED KHABAR Urdu daily -- "Hillary Clinton visits Muslim countries on important mission against Iran; U.S. plans to earn China, Muslim world's support through Saudi Arabia" - AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ Urdu daily -- "The United States has no interest in occupying Afghanistan: Hillary Clinton" - HINDUSTAN EXPRESS Urdu daily -- "Teheran may see regime change" - HINDUSTAN Hindi daily -- "Iran may have to pay a 'heavy price': Hillary" - PUNJAB KESRI Hindi daily ROEMER