MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000004 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-JAPAN RELATIONS, TERRORISM, AFGHANISTAN; NEW DELHI. This countrywide cabe 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-JAPAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "NATURAL PARTNERS," op-ed in December 31, 2009, Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Japan's Hatoyama's government has put Washington on notice that Japan cannot indefinitely remain a faithful servant of U.S. policies. With Tokyo seeking to rework a 2006 basing deal with the U.S., Japan no longer can be regarded as a constant in America's Asia policy. Against this background, New Delhi must be pleased that Hatoyama's visit to India last week signals continuity in Tokyo's India policy." ¶2. "INDIA-JAPAN TIES," op-ed in December 31, 2009, Hindi daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "In New Delhi last week, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed the hope that India would sign the CTBT, fuelling the suspicion that he was advocating America's line. PM Manmohan Singh rightly told Hatoyama that any Indian accession to the CTBT would have to await American and Chinese ratification.... It is unlikely that Hatoyama came as America's salesman. The U.S. does not need anyone to push its case with India, given the unprecedented strong ties between the two countries." -------------- TERRORISM -------------- ¶3. "INDIA'S SECURITY CHALLENGES," op-ed in January 1 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Although terror groups tried their best to foment trouble between India and Pakistan, there was no Mumbai type attack in 2009 which could have exacerbated tensions between the two nations. On the China front too, despite tempers running high on the border issue, things cooled down by the year-end. 2010 will be a more challenging year for India, with the likelihood of increased terror activism from Pakistani soil. At the same time, 2011 will require India to gear up for the strategic challenges arising after America's exit from the Afghanistan- Pakistan region.... Acquiring greater military strength will earn us an equal status with China." ¶4. "AMERICA TARNISIHING INDIA'S IMAGE USING TERRORISM AS RUSE," editorial in January 2 centrist Gujarati daily, GUJARATMITRA. "America's intermittent travel advisories and warnings about possible terrorist attacks in India are aimed at tarnishing India's image rather than serving any positive purpose. Do other countries issue such warning about the U.S. highlighting the twin tower attacks? After all, America faces terror threats too, as was revealed by the Northwest airline incident." NEW DELHI 00000004 002 OF 002 ¶5. "2010 AND TERRORISM," editorial in January 1 right- of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "If there is a one issue bothering nation-states the most at the beginning of 2010, it is terrorism. Though America and other allied nations have been at war with terror, they haven't been able to arrest its spread. Afghanistan and Iraq are a case in point. Even in India extremist violence, unleashed by Naxalism on the home front along with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, has been bleeding India through a thousand cuts." ¶6. "WHEN WILL MUMBAI'S COASTLINE BE SECURE AND SAFE?" op-ed article in January 2 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "Despite the passage of a year after the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, hardly any decisive effort has been made to secure the coastline. Mumbai continues to be exposed to Islamic terror, which might enter the city from the seas. Both unauthorized infiltrators and unlicensed weapons can wreak havoc in Mumbai at any point in time. Mumbai and India cannot afford another terrorist strike." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶7. "INVESTIGATION REPORT OF AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT," editorial in January 1 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Reacting to an Afghanistan government report which reveals that the US and allied forces killed ten Afghan nationals, Afghan students have threatened to take to the gun if the government fails to stop such incidents. The U.S. should not take this threat lightly. If America's inhuman activities and barbarism are not checked, Afghan youth may join the Taliban or Al-Qaeda." ¶8. "ATTACK ON AMERICAN MILITARY BASE IN AFGHANISTAN," editorial in January 3 right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF: "The sorry state of Afghanistan is evident from a government report which reveals that U.S. and allied forces killed ten innocent Afghans, including eight school children. President Obama came into power by raising the slogan of change, but he is repeating the same mistakes committed by his predecessors. America and its allies should withdraw their forces from Afghanistan before more innocents die." ROEMER