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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002904 
 
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, 
MIDDLE EAST, INDO - CHINA RELATIONS, AFGHANISTAN, GLOBAL 
FINANCIAL CRISIS, OBAMA ON KASHMIR TANGLE; NEW DELHI- 
NOVEMBER 11-12, 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. "CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE," editorial in November 10 
centrist HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Iranian President 
Ahmedinejad's congratulatory message to US President- 
elect Barack Obama makes it evident that Obama's victory 
has raised optimism in the Muslim world, including Iran... 
The message indicates Iran's intention to improve 
diplomatic relations with the U.S. But, will Obama be 
able to take a significant initiative? He is a supporter 
of nuclear nonproliferation, while Iran is not ready to 
halt its uranium reprocessing. Ahmedinejad believes that 
Obama will not adopt the aggressive attitude of Bush and 
there will be a scope of reaching a compromise. He also 
expects U.S. 
despotism to end on issues like Palestine, Iraq and 
Afghanistan.  Actually, Obama has given assurances 
through his statements that his approach, unlike Bush's, 
would not be hypothetical, but practical.  This has 
created fresh hope in the Muslim world. But, we will have 
to wait to see the U.S. stand in reality." 
 
¶2. "OBAMA'S CHOICE: AN EVENT OR A PROCESS?" op-ed article 
by Bharatkumar Raut, editorial advisor to The Times of 
India group and a member of the Indian parliament in the 
November 12, 2008, Mumbai edition of left-of-center 
Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES.  "The historic win of 
Barack Obama has justifiably generated an air of 
excitement and hope in the U.S. This atmosphere will 
remain so at least up to January 20, 2009, the day Obama 
will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president. The point is 
what after that? ...  In the last few years, the American 
voter was increasingly affected by many of George W. 
Bush's policies. The financial crisis struck hard in the 
last few months, but Americans, especially the unemployed 
people, were unhappy with the Republican rule. 
Naturally, these dissatisfied voters were not going to 
vote for Bush. Most of the votes won by Obama are the 
anti-Bush votes and the anti-war votes. Obama's racial 
identity has not been a deciding factor in the voting 
process. White Americans do not think that perceptively 
and they have not voted for an African-American because 
of any noble belief in the struggle against racial 
discrimination. The Democrats also only chose Obama as 
their presidential nominee because he was the only strong 
one who could have stood against Mc Cain. Hillary Clinton 
or John Edwards did not evoke confidence in the party...." 
 
¶3. "CHANGE!" editorial-page article in November 12 
nationalist Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA by 
 
NEW DELHI 00002904  002 OF 004 
 
 
staffer Jagari Bandopadhya.  "...This much can be said that 
Obama has raised the significance of the word 'change' 
that was spread over his entire election process to a 
multi-dimensional level...  This difference is much more 
pronounced in the context of the Reagans, Bushes, and 
McCains...  Everybody knows that America lives with 
pluralism but the way the first black president-elect 
speaks of all forms of pluralism in a single breath is 
something of a change!...  He has elevated himself to 
become a black hero from a hero of the blacks. Obama is 
not that inexperienced that he will make a remark without 
exercising caution after being elected the president.  Is 
this, therefore, a consequence of political compulsion? ... 
For, his campaign and the election surveys raise a few 
questions.  Who did vote for Obama? ... It must be 
remembered that of the total votes cast this time, 53 per 
cent were from women and he has received 60 per cent of 
these votes. How?  His orientation towards the middle 
class and his promise to emphasize on the health services 
has become very important, especially n the realm of 
family economics.   The votes that he bagged from the 
white men and women, a reflection of the hatred towards 
the Bush regime, were cast also because of this economic 
reason.  Besides, women had special reasons to be 
interested about Obama because he has pleaded for the 
'equal pay for equal work' policy...." 
 
¶4. "POLITICS OF ETHICS AND ELECTION" editorial in 
November 12 Guwahati Assamese centrist DAINIK 
JANASADHARAN.  "...The high standard of Barack Obama and 
John McCain's debates, as watched by millions of Indians 
on TV, has clearly demonstrated the intellectual gap that 
characterizes American and Indian democracy. In India, 
there is a lack of political ethics among leaders... In 
multi-party India, democracy exists only for namesake 
whereas the American democracy is so strong that its 
people can directly bring about changes when they want... 
India will never get a leader like Obama until its 
political leaders learn to rise above narrow party 
politics to think about the country." 
 
¶5. "HOW MISERABLE THEY ARE!", editorial in November 11, 
right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES', Mumbai: "The 
first thing Obama did after his election as the President 
of America, pleased Israel, but it was not expected for 
us. The man, he appointed, as Chief of staff of the White 
House for next four years is not only a Jew but also a 
pro - Zionism and pro - Israel. On November 5, when 
America was celebrating the victory of Barack Obama, 
American Jet bombers were bombing, a marriage ceremony in 
Afghanistan, wherein 40 civilians including 10 women and 
23 children were killed. All of them were non - 
combatants. Those who are afraid of, and impressed by 
America, are the persons who want to see their own 
problems solved by others. China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, 
UAE (United Arab Emirates) and OPEC countries rise to the 
occasion to save the faltering imperialistic and 
capitalistic system. If only Arab and other Muslim 
countries withdraw their financial and moral support to 
 
NEW DELHI 00002904  003 OF 004 
 
 
America, American imperialism and imperialistic 
capitalism will die their own death. Under these 
circumstances, if in the times of a Black Catholic 
Christian American President, Barack Obama, Muslim 
countries face a bigger catastrophe than that of Iraq and 
Afghanistan, we will not be astonished." 
 
----------- 
MIDDLE EAST 
----------- 
 
¶6. "INDIA AND GULF COUNTRIES," editovial in November 11 
RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "In his first visit to Oman 
and Qatar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is all set to 
make a mark in the bilateral relations with Gulf 
countries. During his three-day visit, the economic 
crisis, energy security and global issues were on the 
agenda. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Oman-Qatar-visit 
resulted in strengthening ties with the two countries. 
Besides being the main source of energy-import, several 
trade and investment interests of India are also linked 
to the Gulf countries. The Gulf and the Middle East are 
vital also from the security viewpoint. India is doing 
well in strengthening its ties with this region." 
 
---------------------- 
INDO - CHINA RELATIONS 
---------------------- 
 
¶7. "INDO - CHINA BORDER DISPUTE", editorial in November 
11, right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: 
"India - China border dispute is time - torn. Both the 
countries tried many a times to resolve the issue but it 
has not been solved as yet. Rather, it is becoming 
gradually, a chronic and crucial issue. China considers 
complete Arunachal Pradesh as its own part. Apart from 
it, many shortsighted leaders of China consider land up 
to district Gaya in Bihar state as part of their country. 
China is a communist country. It is habitual of crossing 
the neighboring land. Now India is not a banana state. It 
has capacity to give a tit - for - tat reply. In case of 
any war, it may give a befitting reply to China." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶8. "OBAMA'S ORDEAL IN AFGHANISTAN", editorial in November 
10, right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: 
"In his election meetings, Obama has already explained 
that he will allow military action within the territories 
of Pakistan in order to nab Osama Bin Laden. He will be 
apprehended at all costs. If it is true that he is alive 
and has taken shelter in border areas of Afghanistan, or 
tribal areas of Pakistan, it will be Herculean task for 
Obama's popular government to nab him. At present, 
Pakistan government is co-operating with American and 
NATO forces. In such a situation, America needs not to 
reprimand Pakistan. Any sort of strictness will make the 
 
NEW DELHI 00002904  004 OF 004 
 
 
issue, a headache for Obama. He should, therefore, adopt 
a moderate policy in this region else his crown may 
become full of thorns." 
 
----------------------- 
GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS 
----------------------- 
 
¶9. "THE WORLD NEEDS SUPPORT OF SAUDI KING ONCE AGAIN", 
editorial in November 10, right-of-center Urdu daily 
"HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi: "The world was reeling 
under a worst recession in 1970s. America was at the 
verge of bankruptcy. The very existence of America was in 
peril. During these rainy days, America sought King's 
help and support. His Majesty opened the lid of his 
treasure trove and, thus saved America and the World Bank 
as well. Now, circumstances have already changed. Neither 
there is Soviet Union nor threat of communism and 
atheism, nor any threat of aggression by any neighboring 
state; but America is still enjoying the fruits of Joint 
Security Cooperation Commission. However, in 
consideration of all this, what did Saudi Arabia and the 
Islamic world received. This is the pertinent question, 
which keeps the heart and soul of the Muslim throughout 
the world, restless. Presently, Saudi King, agreed to 
extend his support to the world, once again. Oil rich 
Gulf States are ready to give their interest - free 
financial support to IMF, the World Bank and the banks of 
America and Britain. Let us see, what new wounds will the 
Middle - East, Islamic World and Saudi Arabia get in 
consideration of their support and cooperation?" 
 
----------------------- 
OBAMA ON KASHMIR TANGLE 
----------------------- 
 
¶10. "OBAMA'S REMARKS ON KASHMIR", editorial in November 
10, right-of-center daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: 
"Expressing his opinion on Kashmir issue, the elected 
President, Barack Obama gave birth to a new controversy. 
He said that he wanted to depute former President Bill 
Clinton to solve the dispute between India and Pakistan. 
There is a wide resentment over the aforesaid statement 
in India. Kashmir issue is a bilateral Indo-Pak issue, 
and therefore, it should be solved bilaterally. They have 
the capacity to resolve their mutual disputes. America 
has no right or prerogative or locus standii to poke its 
nose into such mutual issues. In fact, it wants to 
dictate terms to both these countries. Now, it is the 
responsibility of both India and Pakistan to discourage 
any third party interference in their mutual dispute, 
else, it will be injurious to their interests. Once the 
U.S. finds an opportunity to intervene, it will no be an 
easy job to roll up its domination." 
MULFORD