VZCZCXRO7405
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHNEH
DE RUEHNE #2895/01 3151213
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101213Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4121
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1260
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 3778
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 3019
RUEHNEH/AMCONSUL HYDERABAD
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1632
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5421
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 2095
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9069
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 2834
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 5475
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7122
RHOVVKG/COMSEVENTHFLT
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002895 
 
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; NEW 
DELHI-NOVEMBER 8-10, 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 ELECTION 
-------------------------- 
 
¶1. "CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR OBAMA" Sunday supplement special 
article in the November 9, 2008, Mumbai edition of left- 
of-center Marathi daily LOKSATTA.  "The American media 
which is going gaga over Barack Obama's electoral victory 
is soon going to show its true colors. It will shower 
praises on Obama at the most for a year. But this 
vindictive U.S. media, especially entities like Rupert 
Murdoch's FOX channel which are openly devoted to the 
Republican cause, will rip Obama.  As of now, these media 
entities have not found a suitable scandal to malign him. 
Some of them did try to question his American identity, 
while others harped on his religion. But Obama was able 
to counter these non-issues. But henceforth it may not be 
easy to counter criticism. And Obama knows that. He knows 
that he is expected to deliver results on three crucial 
fronts - economy, energy, and foreign policy. These 
challenges are daunting, and they would have been so for 
any president taking over the administration at this 
juncture. The Bush administration has messed up every 
aspect of life in America. The wrongdoings cannot be 
attributed to Bush alone, but the blame has to be shared 
by his neo-conservative lobby. Obama is expected to 
regulate the uncontrollable financial institutions of 
America. That is like taming a mad elephant. Anyone 
attempting to even go near the elephant is at great risk... 
We can only wish good luck to this young leader who has 
shown the readiness to deal with insurmountable 
problems..." 
 
¶2. "U.S. VERSUS INDIA," op-ed article in the November 9 
DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by editor Sanjay Gupta: "Barack 
Obama has become President when the U.S. is passing 
through a critical phase. He has to deal with many 
challenges-the economic crisis, Iraq-war and situation in 
Afghanistan, Muslim anger, environment protection and the 
war against terrorism etc. India need not worry about 
Obama's policy, but it should be careful in the context 
of nuclear nonproliferation.... He has not become a ray of 
hope just for the blacks, but equally for the whites. It 
is a victory for Amerycan society, regardless of color. 
On the contrary, the Indian politicians divide the 
society in different classes in their narrow political 
interests. Those Indian politicians, who are thrilled by 
Obama' victory and dreaming of becoming prime minister, 
should understand that he has secured victory not by 
dividing, but by uniting the society." 
 
¶3. "OBAMA AND INDIA," commentary by former Indian 
Ambassador to the U.S. Lalit Mansingh in the November 9 
Amar Ujala Hindi daily: "Obama is inspired by Mahatma 
 
NEW DELHI 00002895  002 OF 004 
 
 
Gandhi. It would not be surprising if he consults India 
on several issues... He considers Pakistan a perpetrator of 
terrorism and India will, certainly, benefit from this. 
He sees India as a natural U.S. ally and to maintain and 
to strengthen U.S.-India strategic partnership are his 
priorities. Non-resident Indians can also benefit as he 
perfectly understands the pain of racism. But his 
comments on Kashmir seem to be intrusive, and we are 
strictly against any interference. Obama will also want 
India to sign the CTBT and if India declines, it can 
affect our relations. He may want to halt outsourcing, 
but it would not be easy. In short, U.S. foreign policy 
may change, but America's good relations with India will 
not be affected." 
 
¶4. "THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO RAISE QUESTIONS," analysis by 
strategic expert C. Udaybhaskar in the November 9 Amar 
Ujala Hindi daily: "There is no need to get worried about 
Obama's new policies and his promises made during 
elections because his hands will automatically be tied 
once he gets into the hot seat. India has been firm 
against any intervention on the Kashmir issue under the 
Shimla agreement. India should be patient, but alert to 
changing situation. If Obama pushes India to sign the 
CTBT and the NPT, it is of concern to India. We will have 
to wait to see what policy he adopts in this regard. This 
is the time to welcome the new President. He has 
expressed his opinion on all the issues including troops- 
withdrawing from Iraq, but its different when one becomes 
President -- there are many pressures -- moral, national 
and public interest." 
 
¶5. "WHY SHOULD WE DOUBT OBAMA?" op-ed in the November 8 
AMAR UJALA Hindi daily by former Minister of External 
Affairs K. Natwar Singh: "I am surprised with the way 
some lobbies in India doubt Barack Obama's policy on 
outsourcing, CTBT, Kashmir and nuclear nonproliferation. 
Outsourcing is not a major issue. We should be modest, 
but firm on our stand. When Clinton could not pressurize 
us on the CTBT and Kashmir issues why should we worry 
about Obama? We are already committed to nuclear 
nonproliferation. Obama himself is a supporter of the 
U.S.-India nuclear deal. If any condition is imposed on 
us, we will get the nuclear fuel and reactors from some 
other nation... His biggest challenge would be to deal with 
the Israel-Palestine conflict. If Obama seems to be 
inclined towards Israel on the West Asia dispute it would 
not take long for the Muslims to turn against him." 
 
¶6. "THE SIGNALS THAT OBAMA WANTS TO SEND" editorial-page 
article in the November 10 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali by 
veteran journalist Pabitra Kumar Ghosh.  "...What will be 
Obama's foreign policy?  The entire world is interested 
to know about this...  He has expressed his attitude 
towards India a number of times before, once through a 
letter to Manmohan Singh...  But, there is concern about 
Kashmir... It could be Bill Clinton to act as his special 
envoy who, during his tenure as the U.S. President, told 
Pakistan that he would not allow the borders to alter 
with war in Kashmir.  Obama has expressed his desire to 
have the Al Qaida obliterated so Pakistan, getting 
 
NEW DELHI 00002895  003 OF 004 
 
 
relieved of the Kashmir concern, could devote itself 
fully to deal with the Al Qaida and the Taliban.  Does it 
mean that he will ask India to sacrifice in order to 
resolve the Kashmir imbroglio?  Will he try to placate 
Pakistan on the Kashmir issue...?" 
 
¶7. "OBAMA: A NEW SPARK IN AMERICAN PSYCHE," editorial in 
the November 7 Cuttack nationalist Oriya SAMAJA.  "As the 
first black president of the U.S., Barack Obama has 
created history.  The American electorate has shown that 
democratic principles are above color and religion.  Now 
it is for the new president to fulfill the American as 
well as global aspirations.  Will he effect major changes 
in national and foreign policies?  Will he redefine 
American ideals?  A spectacular change in America's India 
policy is not expected.  But Obama is in White House as a 
symbol of change.  His victory is the reflection of 
change in the U.S. mindset." 
 
¶8. "AMERICA'S NEW MOON" editorial in the November 5 
Bhubaneswar nationalist Oriya SAMBADA.  "...Barack Obama, 
the Black American has made it to the White House.  It is 
a historic moment and it can be viewed as the new sunrise 
of hope and expectations for America and the world at 
large.  Under the Bush Administration, America incurred 
both economic and military infamy.  Now it falls on 
Obama's leadership to steer the country on the right 
path.  Only time will tell how the new U.S. President 
shall answer the global hope but what is clear at the 
moment is that his victory symbolizes a change for the 
mankind.  His victory does not end at the White House. In 
fact, it is the beginning of a long journey for 
humanity." 
 
¶9. "BEYOND ANY MISUNDERSTANDING", editorial in the 
November 8 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", 
Mumbai: "To welcome the election of Barack Obama as the 
President of America, does not mean that we don't have 
any misgivings. Obama's elevation to the White House 
will, certainly not bring any substantial change in 
American policies vis-`-vis Palestine, Muslims and Islam. 
We have rolled out our red carpets for Obama because, in 
this perspective of ground realities of American history 
full of racial discrimination and Zionist supremacy, he, 
despite his being an Afro - American Catholic, made 
inroads into the White House. His victory enjoys an 
extraordinary significance in the global background of 
Zionist order. However, it also symbolizes the countdown 
of Zionist power." 
 
¶10. "FOREMOST POLICY OF BARACK OBAMA", editorial in the 
November 9 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", 
Hyderabad: "Newly President of America, Barack Obama, in 
his first press conference on Friday, expressed his firm 
resolve to take care of a shattered economy. Taking 
charge of his office on 20th January 2009, he will take 
concrete steps to tackle the prevailing economic crisis. 
At present, one percent of wealthy people in America hold 
20 per cent of the country's wealth. These are the people 
who use rulers like Bush in order to accomplish their own 
vested interests. Now, Obama has to decide whom he should 
 
NEW DELHI 00002895  004 OF 004 
 
 
include in his team. His baseline team will be indicative 
of his future policies. The names so far include an 
Indian American, Sonal Shah, who has links with pro- 
Hindutva ideology organizations. After taking a decision 
to include such a lady, who has strong links with Vishwa 
Hindu Parishad (VHP), in the White House team, no one can 
predict that his South Asia policy will be unprejudiced. 
However, it seems that the foremost policy and agenda of 
the newly elected President is to restore confidence in 
the people." 
MULFORD