SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000099 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 U.S. HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS. Summary: Though not a prominent focus of the India media, coverage of the U.S. response to the Haiti tragedy has been objective and largely positive. Leading newspapers, television stations, and news websites across India widely reported that President Obama had ordered an aggressive and coordinated strategy to ensure timely assistance reached the Haitian people. The media has also highlighted President Obama's designation of USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah as the U.S. government's disaster coordinator, a story here given his Indian background. While very limited reports question U.S. motives in the region, most highlight the rise of U.S. statesmanship to the occasion and President Obama's promise that the people of Haiti will not be forsaken. PAS India remains engaged, monitoring the situation and distributing timely and up-to-date information on U.S. efforts in Haiti through its websites, Facebook pages, and press offices. During a recent visit, Defense Secretary Gates also underscored before leading Indian and international media outlets the U.S. commitment to ensuring relief and stability to the tragedy-stricken country. Below follow synopses of post outreach efforts, media opinion, and news reporting. End Summary. -------------- POST OUTREACH -------------- ¶1. To spread the news of U.S. relief efforts in Haiti, Embassy New Delhi and the four consulates maintain websites and Facebook pages updated with the latest information from the White House, Department of State, and USAID. We continue to distribute press releases and up-to-date fact sheets to our media partners as they become available. ¶2. On January 20, Embassy New Delhi hosted Defense Secretary Gates for a press conference widely covered by leading Indian and international media outlets during which Secretary Gates emphasized our ongoing efforts in Haiti and discussed new initiatives recently undertaken by the U.S. government to increase the reach of aid and stability in Haiti. -------------- OPINION -------------- ¶3. Appreciation for the U.S. is visible in commentary throughout India. Of particular note is a January 18 editorial in THE INDIAN EXPRESS, which said American statesmanship had risen to the occasion. "As George W. Bush returned to the White House for the first time after his presidency ended to join up for U.S. President Barack Obama's ramped up plan to collect and effectively distribute aid for quake-hit Haiti, he had a request. He knew Americans were aware of the need in the Caribbean for blankets and water, but please, he NEW DELHI 00000099 002 OF 003 said, just send in the cash. These are occasions that American diplomacy handles extremely well," the editorial noted. It added that: "Haiti has always been a test case for the commitment and assistance that the U.S. can deploy for the greater well-being of countries and peoples in what it sees as its primary sphere of influence." ¶4. THE HINDU appreciated the international response in general. "The response of the international community to the terrible humanitarian crisis has been empathetic: the United States has promised $100m, 3,500 troops, and 2,200 marines to help with relief efforts; Britain has pledged #6.15m; France, Spain, and China have joined the effort, sending funds, supplies, and manpower," the paper editorialized, adding that: "India must do its part, coming up with a generous assistance package." ¶5. More appreciation for the U.S. came from the Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR, which commented January 16 that: "Affluent nations like America and Britain are pouring in massive economic aid which is certainly commendable. This will encourage other nations of the world to respond to this nasty humanitarian crisis in terms of providing relief and rehabilitation services." THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS highlighted President Barack Obama's promise to Haiti - - "You will not be forsaken, you will not be forgotten." ¶6. Leading Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA opined: "The compulsions of humanity that prompt someone to stand by distressed people have resulted in significant changes in the stand taken by two perpetually hostile neighboring countries like Cuba and the U.S. By granting permission for U.S. flights carrying medevacs to use their airspace, Cuba is being congratulated by Washington, by the people of Haiti as well as by the entire world. Maybe, the Communist government in Cuba will later return to their anti-American posture again. Or who can say whether this will begin an era of resolving the enmity between the two countries?" -------------- -------------- HAITI FUND RAISING EFFORTS SURPASS THAT OF TSUNAMI -------------- -------------- ¶7. THE TIMES OF INDIA today carried a report that in the first six days after the quake in Haiti, more than $210 million has been raised in the U.S. The report said charities, companies, individuals and celebrities across America have donated like never before, even surpassing contributions after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. It was widely reported that mobile phone users in the U.S. have contributed more than $11 million to Haitian earthquake relief through text messages in what is being hailed as an unprecedented mobile response to a natural disaster. -------------- NEW DELHI 00000099 003 OF 003 IN A FIRST, OBAMA 'TWEETS' VISIT TO AID CENTER FOR HAITI -------------- ¶8. Highlighting President Obama's personal attention to Haiti, THE TIMES OF INDIA today carried a report saying the President 'tweeted' his very first message, joining the millions who have used the Twitter micro-blogging site as a vital information vehicle for the Haiti disaster. The report pointed out that the Obama administration has been praised for its tech-savvy use of the web. Other reports today said President Obama's job approval rating has increased in the last week due to his handling of the U.S. response to the earthquake in Haiti. -------------- DIFFERENCES REPORTED -------------- ¶9. International wire reports carrying negative perceptions of the U.S. are also finding limited space in the Indian media. The Urdu daily SIASAT carried reports about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's accusation that the United States was taking advantage of the deadly earthquake in Haiti to occupy the Caribbean country. THE HINDU English daily picked up a GUARDIAN NEWS SERVICE article saying the U.S. military's takeover of emergency operations in Haiti has triggered a diplomatic row with countries and aid agencies furious at having flights redirected. The leading English paper of record THE TIMES OF INDIA ran a story of the French calling for a UN investigation into the "dominant" role of the U.S. in Haiti, claiming that aid was meant to relieve the quake-stricken country, not "occupy" it. Such reports have been scarce, however, while the overall reporting remains positive and objective. ROEMER