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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: September 01, 2009 
 
Media Reaction Summary: September 01, 2009 
 
Summary: Reports on national political developments dominated front 
pages in all newspapers on Tuesday.  All newspapers highlighted 
reports that the "government increased the prices of petroleum 
products." Reports that the U.S. Commander in Afghanistan General 
McChrystal "called for a revised strategy to defeat the Taliban and 
reverse the Afghanistan's 'serious' situation" received prominent 
coverage in several dailies. Reports on the "re-opening of the 
Pak-Afghan border at Chaman for traffic" were also highlighted. 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on a host of subjects including 
the recent suicide attack in Mingora, the alleged alteration of 
Harpoon missiles by Pakistan, the autonomy of the Northern Areas, 
and the freedom of Dr. Khan etc.  In its editorial on the "Mingora 
attack" the prestigious English language daily, "Dawn," noted that 
the "latest attack also sends a message that if members of the 
police are vulnerable inside their own facilities, then nobody on 
the outside is safe."  The populist, often sensational national 
English daily "The News," observed that the "myth that the Taliban 
are invincible will be resurrected and this will make the task of 
inflicting a final defeat on them all the harder."  The 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
raised a question that "is it a given that only Taliban are active 
in Swat and other terrorism hit areas, especially when American 
media has provided evidence of Indian and Israeli involvement in 
these areas?"  End Summary. 
 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Prices Of Petroleum Products Raised" "Dawn" (09/01) 
 
"Prices of petroleum products have been raised by eight per cent for 
the month of September because of an increase in oil prices in the 
international markets." 
 
"Afghanistan Situation 'Serious': Mcchrystal" "Daily Times" (09/01) 
 
"The US and NATO commander in Afghanistan on Monday submitted a 
review into the nearly eight-year war, calling for a revised 
strategy to defeat the Taliban and reverse the country's 'serious' 
situation. 'The situation in Afghanistan is serious but success is 
achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment 
and resolve, and increased unity of effort,' said McChrystal in a 
statement." 
 
"Pak-Afghan border opens at Chaman" "The News" (09/01) 
 
"The Pakistan-Afghanistan border was opened in Chaman on Monday. 
Earlier, a trailer driver was killed but local authorities, assisted 
by police and security forces, early on Monday succeeded in 
overcoming a fire that destroyed over a dozen vehicles on the border 
here." 
 
"Supplies For Nato Forces Resume" "Dawn" (09/01) 
 
Normal traffic on the Chaman-Kandahar highway and supplies for Nato 
forces in Afghanistan, suspended after bomb attacks on Saturday and 
Sunday, were restored on Monday." 
 
"Beg Smells Rat In US Embassy Expansion" "The News" (09/01) 
 
"Fromer Cief of Army Staff Gen(R) Mirza Aslam Beg has said that the 
land acquistion under the pretext of embassy for a spy netwrok will 
create many troubles for the country and the nation would never 
pardon those becoming bridge to complete this anti-state agenda." 
 
"Blackwater Presence Annoys Peshawarites" "The News" (09/01) 
 
"While citizens and political parties have started protesting 
against the reported presence and activities of Blackwater, now 
renamed Xe Services LLC, in Peshawar and other places in Pakistan, 
very few know about the operations and history of the private 
security firm that supported the US government in its so-called war 
on terror. Though the American and Pakistani authorities have denied 
the presence of Blackwater or Xe, there have been growing concerns 
among the public and political ranks over reports of the arrival of 
a large number of private security guards from USA to Pakistan." 
 
"PTI Voices Concern Over Activities Of U.S. Agency" "The News" 
(09/01) 
 
"The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed concern over the 
increasing activities of the American private security company, 
Blackwater, in Pakistan and termed it a conspiracy against the 
integrity and solidarity of the country." 
 
"36 More Bodies Found In Swat" "The News" (09/01) 
 
"As many as 36 bodies, believed to be of militants, were found 
dumped in various locations of the valley while 16 suspected 
Taliban, including two foreign nationals, were arrested during 
search operations on Monday. Official sources said 30 bullet-riddled 
bodies were found dumped in Manglawar and Banjot areas while the 
body of another militant identified as Bacha Rahman was recovered 
from Nawagai area in Barikot." 
 
"45 Militants Killed" "Dawn" (09/01) 
 
"Forty-five militants were killed and 27 arrested during security 
operations in Swat valley on Sunday and Monday. The ongoing 
operations were intensified in Taligram, Baish Banar, Banjot and 
adjoining areas of Manglawar immediately after Sunday's suicide 
attack on a police training centre in Mingora." 
 
"Militants Clash In Orakzai Kills Three" "The News" (09/01) 
 
"Three militants were killed when two groups of Taliban exchanged 
fire in Ferozkhel area of Orakzai Agency on Monday." 
 
"Musharraf, Two PPP Ministers Summoned In Benazir Case" "Dawn" 
(09/01) 
 
"Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry of the Lahore High Court issued on 
Monday notices to Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, Interior Minister 
Rehman Malik, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan, 
former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and 12 others 
for Sept 28 on an application seeking registration of an FIR against 
them for their alleged involvement in the assassination of Benazir 
Bhutto." 
 
"Verdict On Aafia's Plea Reserved" "Dawn" (09/01) 
 
"The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday reserved its verdict on a 
petition filed against release of $2 million to three American 
lawyers for defending Dr Aafia Siddiqui in United States courts." 
 
"Brig Imtiaz Reveals CIA Plots" "The News" (09/01) 
 
"Former spymaster Brigadier (retd) Imtiaz Ahmad, whose recent 
statements caused ripples in the country's political arena, now 
talks of a much serious issue Pakistan's nuclear programme. He 
claims to have foiled two American CIA plots to sabotage the 
country's nuclear programme." 
"USAID Closes Islamabad Offices Over Security Threat" "Daily Times" 
(09/01) 
"US authorities have closed all USAID offices in Islamabad after 
receiving threats from unidentified miscreants, a private TV channel 
reported on Monday." 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Mingora Attack," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/01) 
 
". . . The latest attack also sends a message that if members of the 
police are vulnerable inside their own facilities, then nobody on 
the outside is safe. A 'decisive offensive' against the South 
Waziristan Taliban is now said to be on the cards. Though a welcome 
move it is fraught with danger, and not just on the battlefield. A 
military operation there could produce a backlash in the form of 
even more suicide attacks, with the security apparatus the most 
likely target. While it may be impossible to eliminate such bombings 
altogether, it is incumbent on the state to minimize their 
incidence." 
"Mingora Mayhem," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/01) 
 
"The suicide attack in Mingora, days after a similar attack on 
security forces in Khyber Agency, goes to confirm fears that the 
Taliban are anxious to show that they are not a defeated force. 
Indeed, their new young commander will be eager to demonstrate he is 
no less ruthless and no less effective than his predecessor....  The 
Taliban for the present remain a group that is largely intact. . . 
If there are too many suicide bombings in the coming months, the 
myth that the Taliban are invincible will be resurrected and this 
will make the task of inflicting a final defeat on them all the 
harder." 
 
"Suicide Attack In Mingora: Need For Ceasefire," an editorial note 
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (09/01) 
 
"Is it a given that only Taliban are active in Swat and other 
terrorism hit areas, especially when American media has provided 
evidence of Indian and Israeli involvement in these areas.... 
Dialogue is the only solution to the problem.  The government should 
initiate ceasefire in order to have a clue of the secret hand that 
is implementing its conspiracies in the garb of Taliban." 
 
"Mingora Attack Result Of Security Failure," an editorial in the 
popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (09/01) 
 
"After the declaration of the success of military operation, the 
Malakand division witnessed relative calm which gave rise to a myth 
that the backbone of the terrorists has been broken rendering them 
unable to launch suicide attacks anymore. But the Monday's suicide 
blast on Mingora Special Police Training Center has confirmed that 
the extremists are still in a position to hit a target of their 
choice. In fact, our law enforcers habitually soften the strict 
security arrangements after claims of minor successes in the war 
against terrorism. The Mingora tragedy was also an outcome of 
security lapse." 
 
"Fourth Attack On The Mingora Police School," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (09/01) 
 
"As stated earlier, this was the fourth attack on the Mingora Police 
training School. The authorities must be asked: why were earlier 
security lapses not taken note of.  It is due to the poor security 
arrangements [at the school] that terrorists were able to carry out 
such an attack easily.  While it is true that the brave sons of the 
soil are ready to lay down their lives for the country, these 
precious lives can be safeguarded with just a little more attention 
to their security." 
 
"Mingora Blast: Uprooting Extremism Is Imperative," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (09/01) 
 
"The war [on terror] can be won in real terms only when the people 
also cooperate with the government in uprooting extremism.  Although 
several  extremists have been captured after being identified by the 
public, more work needs to be done in this respect as the local 
people have better knowledge of the extremists [whereabouts] than 
the army. We hope this will happen soon and extremism will be 
eliminated completely." 
 
"Suicide Attacks in Peshawar And Mingora," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (09/01) 
 
"God knows what will the outcome of the Taliban attacks.  If we look 
at Iraq we see that nothing positive came out of suicide attacks in 
that country.  Contrary to the expectations of the terrorists over 
there, security forces are doing their duties.  The terrorists in 
Pakistan will also be disappointed." 
 
"Bad Security Of Security Personnel," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (09/01) 
 
". . . The terrorists must have developed a reflex by now:  don't 
think much, change nothing in the plans, just go and attack security 
personnel when they are out in the open, drilling or opening fast. . 
. The police is the biggest sitting duck in the country." 
"The Taliban After Baitullah," an op-ed by Mushfiq Murshed in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(09/01) 
 
"Baitullah Mehsud's death after the drone attack of August 5 has 
definitely weakened the Taliban movement. Intelligence, 
implementation of preemptive measures and a strong military offence 
has turned the tide in our favour. Yet, the war is far from over. 
The new Taliban leadership should not be underestimated. The 
military option, although essential, must not be the only strategy 
that the current administration should be relying on. Socio-economic 
relief is as essential as military might. In the end it will be the 
mood of the people that will sway the outcome of this war." 
 
"American Mischief Of Bringing Pakistan To The Level Of 
Afghanistan," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (09/01) 
 
"For development in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Obama 
administration is finalizing a strategic implementation plan under 
nine comprehensive objectives to measure the two countries progress. 
 America will review the performance of Pakistan and Afghanistan in 
the light of this comprehensive document....  This is the proof of 
our rulers' and planners' incompetence, greed for power, weakness 
and disregard for national interests and priorities that America is 
treating a nuclear state, Pakistan at par with Afghanistan....  By 
steering both the countries in similar manner, it is being proved 
that like Afghanistan Pakistan too is under American occupation.... 
America has acquired 200 homes for its operatives in Islamabad and 
Blackwater operatives have been given tasks in Islamabad, Peshawar 
and other cities and villages.  The entire nation has expressed 
concern over these developments....  America is pushing itself to 
the fate it met in Iran in 1979.  The government should clarify its 
position vis-`-vis the press report [NY Times] about the strategic 
implementation plan." 
 
"Slapping The Wrist That Feeds You," an op-ed by Mosharraf Zaidi in 
the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (09/01) 
 
"This past week, the government of Pakistan decided to tell the 
American government and its foreign aid arm, USAID, to cut down on 
administrative costs in the execution of its development programs. . 
. Perhaps this is the kind of stand-up Pakistani machismo that 
Pakistan's hyper-nationalists have in mind when they plea, on a 
weekly basis, for more backbone on the Pakistani side, in the ever 
complex U.S.-Pakistan relationship.  Shouting down the next visiting 
U.S. diplomat for how USAID operates might be sexy for the old 
school folks at the GHQ, but like so many other things at the GHQ, 
it would be borne of the lethal cocktail of naivet, ignorance and 
arrogance that tend to be in such large supply there. . . Pakistan 
is not underdeveloped because of foreign aid and its inherent 
contradictions and inefficiencies.  It is underdeveloped because of 
Pakistan's own inherent contradictions, and believe it or not, 
because of Pakistan's own inefficiencies" 
 
"Modifying Missiles," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/01) 
 
"The New York Times' accusation that Pakistan is illegally modifying 
US-made missiles to make them capable of striking land targets and 
thus creating a new threat for India was met with a firm rebuttal by 
Islamabad. . . The accusation comes at a particularly delicate time 
when the Administration is asking Congress to approve $7.5 billion 
in aid to Islamabad over the next five years. . . The whole issue 
was based on a suspicion. President Obama and his Administration can 
be easily misled if they continue to make wrong inferences or 
believe flawed intelligence. . . It's time Washington paid heed to 
saner counsel and extended an all-out support to Islamabad for 
effectively combating the growing menace of terrorism rather than 
doing things that could undermine mutual relations." 
 
"The US Afghanistan Policy," an op-ed by Javid Hussain in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(09/01) 
 
". . . The US Afghanistan policy continues to suffer from serious 
shortcomings which have the potential to derail it and lead to its 
ultimate defeat. . . Ideally, the US, while continuing the fight 
against Al-Qaeda to overcome international terrorism, should open 
lines of communications with the Pushtun tribes and the moderate 
elements among the Taliban as well as other ethnic communities in 
Afghanistan with a view to evolving a new political dispensation in 
the country which is acceptable to all of them. It would also be 
necessary to have the endorsement of Afghanistan's neighbours, 
especially Pakistan and Iran, for the new political dispensation to 
restore durable peace in the country. Until this is done, the armed 
in Afghanistan will continue with its ebbs and flows, and peace in 
Afghanistan will remain an elusive goal." 
Patterson