P 041016Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2894
INFO USDOC WASHDC
NSC WASHDC
SECDEF WASHDC
PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 
AMCONSUL CHENNAI 
AMCONSUL KOLKATA 
AMEMBASSY DHAKA 
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 
AMCONSUL KARACHI 
AMCONSUL MUMBAI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
COMSEVENTHFLT
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002126 
 
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: KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR DEAL, 
PAKISTAN / ISI, PAKISTAN, GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, IRAN'S 
NUCLEAR PROGRAM / NAM CONFERENCE, SAARC SUMMIT IN 
COLOMBO, WTO/DOHA ROUNDS, APOLOGY BY U.S. HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES; NEW DELHI AUGUST 2-4, 2008. 
 
This cable reports on relevant media reaction from 
India's large non-English press. Embassy New Delhi 
reports on English-language media via email in the daily 
"Early Edition".  USG customers please write to Geeta 
Krishali (KrishaliG@state.gov) to subscribe to the "Early 
Edition." 
 
----------------------- 
U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR DEAL 
----------------------- 
 
¶1. "A BIG SUCCESS," editorial in August 3 DAINIK JAGRAN 
Hindi daily: "India's government and its diplomats should 
be given credit for the green signal given to the India- 
specific safeguards agreement by the IAEA board of 
governors. The next step is to secure the vital 45-member 
NSG's approval, which is not going to be easy despite 
U.S. assurances of every possible support to India... On 
the domestic front, the anti-nuclear deal sections will 
continue opposing it. They are spreading disinformation, 
and will not politically benefit from this. The Indian 
government should only concentrate on the NSG waiver and 
the US Congress' approval, rather than worrying about the 
internal opposition." 
 
¶2. "NUCLEAR ACCORD:  APPROVED IN THE IAEA"  editorial in 
the August 4, 2008 Surat-based centrist Gujarati daily 
GUJARATMITRA.  "The Congress-led federal UPA government 
under the stewardship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 
has scored a first victory vis-`-vis the Indo-U.S. 
bilateral civilian nuclear deal.  The International 
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of directors has 
unanimously given its green signal to the safeguards 
agreement in Vienna.  This paves the way for India to 
approach the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers' Group for its 
approval.  After NSG approval, the deal's final stop will 
be the U.S. Congress.  It appears that America's support 
will ensure the deal passes the Congress test smoothly... 
The one thing India should be proud about is that her 
image in the IAEA has improved.  This also indicates that 
India is now out of nuclear isolation as she will be able 
to trade with other nuclear weapon state..." 
 
¶3. "THIS SUCCESS IN VIENNA," editorial in August 4 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"Approval of India-specific safeguards at the IAEA has 
for the first time paved way for getting nuclear fuel for 
a country, which never promised not to make atom bombs. 
India's growing importance in the international arena, 
its increasing economic strength as well as its emergence 
as a regional superpower worked behind India's success. 
While virtually no country opposed India, and even 
Pakistan kept silent...domestic political parties 
surprisingly had started obstructing it... They failed to 
realize that it would not have been possible for India to 
overcome nuclear apartheid without U.S. initiatives...." 
 
¶4. "APPROVAL OF NUCLEAR SAFEGUARD AGREEMENT", editorial 
in August 3, right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", 
Hyderabad: "Thanks to our subservient and obsequious 
ruling class, a major chunk of Indians will soon become 
peons and minions of the big world powers. It is bad news 
for Indians that their ruling class, despite strong 
opposition, achieved its vested interests by suppressing 
those of the motherland. When the major powers of the 
world saw India on its way to achieving nuclear strength 
on its own, they hatched a conspiracy to subjugate it. 
Congratulatory statements from world leaders on the 
approval of the nuclear safeguards agreement show they 
were successful in achieving their goal. India will gain 
international strength and prestige only when wise voters 
of the country will elect nationalist leaders, instead of 
selfish and opportunistic ones." 
 
¶5. "STATEMENT OF NICHOLAS BURNS", editorial in August 2 
right-of-center Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA SAHARA", New Delhi: 
"Nicholas Burns' latest comments that Hyde Act was 
binding on India are worrisome. In fact, opponents of the 
nuclear deal have been continuously hammering the point 
that the Hyde Act puts restriction on any experiment for 
strategic purposes, which amounts to mortgaging India's 
atomic independence to America. However the UPA 
government has been rejecting the above criticism, saying 
that America is responsible to remove any impediment in 
the way of nuclear deal in question. However, senior 
leaders of America and Nicholas Burns on many occasions 
have said that Hyde Act is applicable to Indo-U.S. 
nuclear agreement too. This statement negates the UPA 
government's explanations and exposes its lies." 
 
-------------- 
PAKISTAN / ISI 
-------------- 
 
¶6. "U.S. ANNOYANCE," editorial in August 1 centrist 
HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "CIA Deputy Director Stephen R. 
Kappes confronted Pakistan officials with evidences about 
the ISI's links with terror groups in the north-western 
tribal areas during his Pakistan-visit. It is the first 
time that U.S. has demonstrated a hard line against the 
ISI. It seems that ISI's suspected role in the NATO 
troops' fight against terrorists in Afghanistan has 
crossed the limits of the U.S. endurance... Intelligence 
agencies in a democratic country are under civilian 
control, but the ISI in Pakistan follows the army's 
orders. The religious fanatics, created by Pakistan at 
one time to uproot the pro-Russian government in 
Afghanistan and create turmoil in India, have now become 
a headache for it. If Pakistan still does not learn a 
lesson, the situation will further degenerate." 
 
-------- 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶7. "REINSTATEMENT OF SACKED JUDGES IN PAK," editorial in 
August 2 right-of-centre Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New 
Delhi: "Eminent lawyers and lawyers' association in 
Pakistan have been agitating for the reinstatement of 
dismissed judges, but their demonstrations and agitations 
have cut no ice. The present government can get such a 
bill passed in the national assembly, and get it approved 
by President Pervez Musharraf. PPP's Asaf Ali Zardari 
considers constitutional complications responsible for 
the delay in the reinstatement. It is quite absurd 
excuse. In fact, he is unable to solve any problem of 
democratic government of Pakistan, with foresight. The 
reinstatement of dismissed judges will give fresh 
strength to Pakistan's integrity and stability because 
the dismissal was a blot on the Islamic republic of 
Pakistan." 
 
-------------------- 
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR 
-------------------- 
 
¶8. "THE BUSINESS OF TERRORISM," op-ed in August 3 right- 
of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by security expert K. 
Subrahmanyam: "Senior U.S. State Department official 
Thomas Schweich has said that the Taliban cannot be 
defeated until opium cultivation is not eradicated from 
Afghanistan. As per his plan, Afghanistan President 
Karzai should be asked to stop supporting opium- 
cultivation and the drug-trade. Pentagon should be aware 
of the strategy to impede drug production. The countries 
active in the war against terror should also be asked to 
cooperate in this plan... Since India is affected the most 
by drug-trade in Afghanistan it should take up this 
matter to the U.S. and initiate a debate on how drug- 
trafficking is becoming a hurdle in the war against 
terror. It should also hold talks with Karzai on this 
issue. Actually, U.S., India and Afghanistan should plan 
a joint opium eradication strategy, which is needed to 
uproot the Taliban." 
 
¶9. "WHY IS TERRORISM GETTING THE BETTER OF US?"editorial 
in the August 3, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi 
daily NAVASHAKTI.  "Admittedly, Islamic terrorism is 
difficult to cope with. Even a superpower like the U.S. 
has been unsuccessful in containing Jehadi elements. So 
it is not surprising that India is finding it difficult 
to counter Pakistan-based insurgents. But even as we 
acknowledge that much of the terrorist activity happening 
in India can be traced back to Pakistan, we have to also 
admit that our counter-terrorism machinery has been 
unsuccessful in curbing the involvement of the local 
population who aid and abet the Pakistani outfits. The 
government has been pretty ineffective in unearthing the 
dynamics of the network between the local accomplices and 
their Pakistani counterparts. There is no point in merely 
asking the general public to cooperate with the police 
and administration in the event of terrorist attacks. 
Where is the political will and initiative to pin down 
the culprits at specific spots?" 
 
¶10. "REGIONAL COOPERATION" editorial in August 4 Guwahati 
Assamese independent ASAMIYA PRATIDIN.  "...Terrorism was 
the main subject of deliberations in the...SAARC Summit, as 
it has emerged as a major threat to leading member 
countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and 
Pakistan... In fact, the way terrorism has spread all over 
South Asia it is no longer possible for a single country 
to fight against it... Moreover, the question of regional 
security is closely related with terrorism.  Therefore, 
SAARC countries should take concerted efforts to fight 
terrorism together." 
 
¶11. "PAKISTAN WILL NOT STOP TERRORISM, IT NEEDS TO BE 
COMPELLED TO DO SO," editorial in August 4 pro-BJP 
Kolkata Bengali daily, BARTAMAN.  "After the remarks by 
Pakistan's Prime Minister and the Pakistani Ambassador in 
the U.S., one may think that Pakistan will now probably 
behave properly but...that will be a far-fetched 
imagination... Pakistan's real problem is fanatic 
fundamentalism... No doubt, Pakistan's Prime Minister was 
forced to take a softer position under American pressure 
but, neither the Prime Minister nor the president 
possesses the power to control ISI or the terrorist 
groups... Pakistan will not stop terrorism. It must be 
forced to do that. Every country in the world including 
the SAARC nations should drive Pakistan toward that 
direction." 
 
--------------------------------------- 
IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM / NAM CONFERENCE 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶12. "COMMENDABLE STEP BY NAM", editorial in August 1, 
right-of-center Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "The 
declaration of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) foreign 
ministers in Tehran that Iran has every right to continue 
its nuclear program for peaceful purposes is highly 
commendable. It is an important development, particularly 
at a time when Uncle Sam and its western cronies are 
engaged in mean efforts to convince the world that Iran 
is a rogue. Support of more than 100 countries, including 
India, is sufficient to deflate the air of this wicked 
propaganda wherein the world community is being incited 
to stop the Uranium enrichment process by Iran. The 
international media has already reported that the U.S. 
directed Israel to be prepared to attack Iran, if needed. 
This direction is indicative of a grand conspiracy and 
aggressive designs. All international fora like NAM 
should try individually as well as collectively to stop 
the U.S. and Israel. In fact, they are the biggest threat 
to the world." 
 
----------------------- 
SAARC SUMMIT IN COLOMBO 
----------------------- 
 
¶13. "SAARC UNDER THE SHADOW OF TERRORISM", editorial in 
August 2 right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", 
New Delhi: "The agenda of the SAARC summit should have 
been SAFTA and all the member countries should have 
serious deliberations as to how SAFTA should be 
implemented smoothly. But a new wave of terrorism 
throughout the world left behind the important issues. 
Terrorism came on top on the SAARC agenda. Under a well- 
conceived conspiracy, efforts have been made to turn all 
eyes towards terrorism, ignoring other key issues. It is 
probably not coincidental that whenever India and 
Pakistan want to start bilateral talks, the subcontinent 
reverberates with the bomb blasts and our friendship gets 
soaked in the blood of innocents. Heads of SAARC 
countries, particularly that of India and Pakistan, 
should deliberate on the point seriously. Only mutual 
cooperation, brotherhood and love can defeat this 
conspiracy, which is being hatched against us on an 
extensive level." 
 
¶14. "SAARC SUMMIT MARRED BY ACRIMONIOUS INDO-PAK 
RELATIONS"  editorial in the August 2, 2008 Surat-based 
centrist Gujarati daily GUJARATMITRA.  "It isn't 
surprising to know that the SAARC summits are dominated 
by hostility between two major South Asian neighbors, 
India and Pakistan...  The involvement of Pakistan's ISI in 
the Indian embassy bombings in Kabul, the Pakistani 
military's unprovoked firing along the Line of Control, 
and acts of terrorism in India having linkages to 
Pakistan have over the years created an environment of 
distrust between these SAARC neighbors...  It is therefore 
incumbent on Prime Minister Singh to tell his Pakistani 
counterpart Gilani in no uncertain terms that any 
meaningful dialogue with Pakistan is possible only if it 
stops aiding and abetting terrorism against India.  The 
efficacy and success of the SAARC forum rests on whether 
nations adopt a cooperative approach rather than a 
confrontational one with member nations...." 
 
--------------- 
WTO/DOHA ROUNDS 
--------------- 
 
¶15. "WTO:  INDIAN FARMER SHALL REMAIN POOR"  editorial in 
the August 4, 2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati 
daily GUJARAT SAMCHAR.  "The collapse of WTO agricultural 
trade talks in Geneva is in India's [India's agricultural 
community's] interest.  The WTO is America's brainchild 
aimed at trapping India's economy in general and its 
agricultural production in particular.  It is known that 
huge subsidies enjoyed by America's farmers reduce their 
production costs.  This is not the case with South Asian 
nations including India.  Hence, the failure of these 
talks is a blessing for the 450 million strong Indian 
farming community, especially when there aren't many 
people who stand up for Indian farmers' interests...  The 
so-called leaders of today, who are oblivious to the 
hardships faced by farmers, represent farmers at the 
international level.  The result is a myopic 
understanding of farming-related issues that only tends 
to help rich farmers.  There has been no visible 
improvement in the situation of poor farmers.  The rising 
number of suicides by farmers is a case in point...  It is 
thus important to note that had the WTO talks succeeded, 
it would have benefited only the rich farmers leaving the 
poor farmers at the mercy of landlords and 
governments." 
 
---------------------------------------- 
APOLOGY BY U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶16. "A HISTORICAL APOLOGY" editorial in the August 2, 
2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. 
"The apology tendered by the U.S. House of 
Representatives for subjecting African-Americans to 
slavery and segregationist laws in the past is the second 
best piece of news from the U.S., the first of course 
being the Democratic Party's presidential nomination of a 
black person. Both the developments have the potential of 
giving a positive turn to U.S. politics. There are those 
who do not read too much into these symbolic gestures. 
But the U.S. House of Representatives deserves kudos for 
acknowledging the negative impact of slavery on a section 
of U.S. society..." 
 
 
White