SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000099

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STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO

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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.

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POST OUTREACH
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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.

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OPINION
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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

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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?"

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HAITI FUND RAISING EFFORTS SURPASS THAT OF TSUNAMI
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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.

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IN A FIRST, OBAMA 'TWEETS' VISIT TO AID
CENTER FOR HAITI
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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.

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DIFFERENCES REPORTED
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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