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