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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000306 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.-CHINA RELATIONS, NAXALISM IN INDIA; 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 -------------- ¶1. "TALKS ARE THE ONLY WAY" February 17 editorial in Guwahati Assamese independent ASAMIYA KHABOR: "India should hold talks with Pakistan as scheduled to foil terrorists' agenda to upset it, and demonstrate before the world community its (India) commitment to peaceful negotiation. The resumption of talks may not yield fruitful results but it will give India and Pakistan an opportunity to address their concerns and clarify their stand on these problems. In its own interest, India also should not encourage any attempt to dislodge the present government in Pakistan." ¶2. "SHOULD WE TALK TO PAKISTAN?" February 17 editorial in left-of-center Marathi daily, AAPLA MAHANAGAR: "There are an increasing number of opinion makers who feel strongly against any kind of bilateral talks with a rogue neighbor like Pakistan, which has repeatedly backstabbed India on several occasions. Pakistan's credentials are indeed dubious. But that does not allow India to snap ties. Severing relations with an aggressor does not work to the advantage of India. Norms of international diplomacy require India to continue with its efforts to hold talks, however formal and insubstantial, with Pakistan..." -------------- U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS -------------- ¶3. "DALAI LAMA-OBAMA MEETING," February 17 op-ed article by columnist Lata Raje in centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "The already tense relations between China and the U.S. are likely to be strained after President Obama meets the exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama, whom the Chinese government sees as a secessionist pushing for Tibetan independence. Though the Chinese embassy in Washington has openly criticized Obama's willingness to meet the Lama, the president's decision to go ahead with the meeting is a statement in itself." ¶4. "CHINA: UNREASONABLE THREAT," February 12 editorial in Bhubaneswar Oriya SAMAJA: "President Obama has done well to ignore China's warning to meet the Dalai Lama. China is known for its highhanded attitude, particularly with its neighbors. Tibet, once an autonomous territory, is now under China's occupation and Beijing does not want any country to have any link with Tibet. It is angry with India because the Tibetan leader is staying here as an honored guest. China is apprehensive because it has committed so many misdeeds to establish its hegemony in Southeast Asia. China must NEW DELHI 00000306 002 OF 002 put its own record straight before it warns America not to meet the Dalai Lama." -------------- NAXALISM IN INDIA -------------- ¶5. "WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?" February 17 editorial in centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "The recent Maoist attack in eastern India, killing police personnel, is a grim reminder of the deterioration of India's internal security situation... It is more than clear that the Maoists are working on China's long-term design on dividing India into 30 parts. When will the Indian federal and state governments rise above petty politics and crush this menace?" ¶6. "WHAT LAW FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RULE OF LAW?" February 17 editorial in right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "The gruesome killing of policemen in West Bengal's Midnapore once again remind us that those involved in terrorism and Naxalism in India do not believe in the rule of law. How far are we justified in dealing with them legally? Who will secure the lives of ordinary citizens when the security forces themselves are being targeted? Our government's soft approach towards such brutal elements will set wrong precedents in a civilized society." ROEMER