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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 002835 
 
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: U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS, IRAN-INDIA RELATIONS, AFGHANISTAN; 
NEW DELHI - NOVEMBER 1-3, 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. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 
--------------------------- 
 
¶1. "U.S. ELECTIONS: THE COLOR OF CHANGE" op-ed article by 
Delhi-based foreign affairs columnist Ravi Amle in the 
November 3, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi 
daily SAKAAL. "While the opinion polls indicate a 
definite nationwide preference for Barack Obama, there is 
still a fear that Obama may not make it to the White 
House. Similar to the fate met by past African-American 
mayor Tom Bradley who lost his bid for governor ( thanks 
to the tendency among whites to misleadingly tell 
pollsters that they will vote for a black candidate), 
Obama is also likely to lose the race because of the 
conservative American attitude towards race. If he loses 
due to his race and color, it will be a definite victory 
for the white racist lobby in the U.S... In the last few 
years, the U.S. has lost its standing in many respects at 
the international level. Obama's election to the highest 
U.S. post is in fact an opportunity for Americans to 
right the wrongs. All that has been lost during George W. 
Bush's `election' can be won by Obama's election. We wish 
that wisdom prevails on the voters and that they do not 
vote on racial lines. In fact it is now time for them to 
vote for a candidate with an ideology and definite 
leadership qualities...." 
 
--------------------- 
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. "FINANCIAL MARKET AT A NEW JUNCTURE," op-ed article in 
the November 2 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily 
by security expert K. Subrahmanyam: "U.S. President 
George Bush has called the world's 20 leading economies 
to a summit on November 15 in Washington to brainstorm on 
the ongoing financial crisis.... This summit will emphasize 
on the global financial regulatory mechanism. India as a 
growth engine can help in reviving the economic 
development in the U.S. Some American analysts are 
questioning the U.S. intelligence for being so indebted 
to China. This can anytime trigger a clash of the U.S. 
Interests. But, the U.S. does not have a national 
security threat from India. India's viewpoint toward the 
U.S. on the global economic crisis should be based on 
two-point policy. India should stand with the rest of the 
world for imposing strict regulation on the U.S. economic 
market. It should also be prepared for taking advantage 
of advanced technology development by coming closer to 
U.S. in the economic revival process. On the basis of its 
imagination and creativity India can use the current 
economic crisis in its favor." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00002835  002 OF 003 
 
 
¶3. "FINANCIAL EMERGENCY:  IS AMERICA'S SUPER-POWER STATUS 
UNDER THREAT?"  Op-Ed article by columnist Muzaffar 
Hussain in the November 1, 2008 Mumbai-based centrist 
Gujarati evening daily JANMABHOOMI.  "After the Soviet 
Union's decline, America emerged as the sole super power 
nation on the global horizon.....  However, the current 
financial crisis in the U.S. threatens to dismantle that 
status that America has enjoyed over the years.... 
America's financial situation is so bad that it is being 
believed that nations who are aloof from it are happier. 
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez went on to the extent of 
saying that the crisis on the Wall Street had shifted the 
global financial hub status from New York to Beijing. 
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev issued a statement that 
this is the beginning of the fall of America's super 
power status....  Besides this, the Taliban is getting 
reorganized as will not lose an opportunity to bounce 
back once America is out of picture.  Thus there are 
problems galore for the United States at home and abroad 
that threaten its super power status...." 
 
-------------------- 
IRAN-INDIA RELATIONS 
-------------------- 
 
¶4. "FOREIGN MINISTER'S IRAN VISIT," editorial in the 
November 1 centrist DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "The long 
awaited Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline issue is likely 
to be raised during Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee's 
three-day Iran-visit. There are disputes on high gas 
prices and the pipeline's security because Pakistan is 
demanding the transit fees. But, Iran, ignoring these 
basic problems, fears that India is not finalising this 
project under the U.S. pressure. Mukherjee will not just 
address Iran's concerns on the Indian Foreign policy, but 
he will also discuss hurdles in the way of the gas 
pipeline project. It is noteworthy that the Iranian 
officials have indicated that Iran can proceed only with 
Pakistan on the project without including India. Iran's 
recent statement that it is also considering to include a 
third party has triggered a speculation in the diplomatic 
circle that after India's quitting the project Iran can 
include China. It should be expected that after the 
Foreign Minister's visit the deadlock between the two 
countries will be broken." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶5. "EFFORTS TO BRING TALIBAN ROUND", editorial in the 
November 2 right-of-center Urdu daily "MUNSIF", 
Hyderabad: "For the last few months, different circles 
have been subscribing the idea that talks with Taliban, 
for the restoration of peace in Afghanistan, have become 
indispensable. The whole world accepts that after decline 
of Taliban and fall of Qandhar, American forces or its 
puppet government lead by Hamid Karzai could not rule 
Afghanistan. Taliban or al-Qaeda is, even today, ruling 
the roost in major parts of Afghanistan. If, the U.S., 
today thinks that it is in possession of Afghanistan, it 
 
NEW DELHI 00002835  003 OF 003 
 
 
will be the greatest folly. It, anyhow, entered 
Afghanistan, but it is finding no way to come out of 
Afghanistan quagmire, despite being the world's super 
power. Accepting that Taliban are insurmountable in 
Afghanistan, America should not make any delay in 
starting dialogues with Taliban through the good offices 
of Pakistan or Saudi Arabia." 
MULFORD