VZCZCXRO5554
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHNEH
DE RUEHNE #2961/01 3251046
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201046Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4283
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1290
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 3838
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 3078
RUEHNEH/AMCONSUL HYDERABAD
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1661
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5491
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 2123
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9090
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 2896
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 5507
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7158
RHOVVKG/COMSEVENTHFLT
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002961 
 
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 ELECTIONS, G- 
20 MEET, PALESTINE, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ; NEW DELHI. 
 
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. "WILL HISTORY HELP RADIATE A NEW GLOW ON AMERICA, 
WITHIN AND WITHOUT?" editorial-page article in November 
20 Kolkata pro-BJP Bengali daily BARTAMAN by Nashville- 
based columnist Subhankar Mukherjee.  "Obama used a 
refreshing slogan during his campaign, 'Change we need.' 
He altered this soon after he has been elected. Did he 
then want to suggest that change stands for the 
transformation from White to Black? So, the President- 
elect's new slogan is: 'Yes, we can'... But will he able to 
really deliver? It would be a mammoth task for Obama to 
steer America ahead... Does he want to remain President for 
two terms like George Bush? However, this 'Obamania' is 
not likely to last for a long time. He may have been the 
cynosure of all eyes...but the White votes actually reflect 
an anti-establishment sentiment. If Obama cannot do 
anything in the next four years he will lose his support 
base... The Blacks may be euphoric and that will negatively 
impact the American society. White fundamentalists will 
not tolerate this and they will be instigated by Muslim 
extremists to perish those 'dark hands.'" 
 
¶2. "SOUTH ASIA'S HOPE," op-ed in November 19 DAINIK 
JAGRAN Hindi daily by former Indian Ambassador to UK and 
Parliament member Kuldip Nayar.  "The Indian reaction to 
Obama's telephone call to President Zardari was subdued. 
The general impression is that Pakistan has been singled 
out because it is an ally in the Afghanistan war. What 
amuses me is the obsession in the two countries or, for 
that matter, in South Asia, about the way America looks 
towards them. They strain every nerve to catch 
Washington's eye. This smacks of colonial slavish 
mentality which we have not been able to shake off even 
after six decades of independence. Incidentally, 
Bangladesh's regret is over the defeat of Senator John 
McCain, who had adopted a Bangladeshi girl. India, 
Pakistan and Bangladesh are sovereign countries and their 
strength or weakness is from within, not without. They do 
not have to kowtow before any foreign country, however 
powerful. Washington cannot impose anything on them if 
they do not offer their neck. Then there is Obama's 
remark on Kashmir which has created a stir in India. The 
name of Clinton figured as the envoy. Obama's statement 
is an unnecessary diversion when New Delhi and Islamabad 
are engaged in bilateral talks to sort out Kashmir and 
other problems souring relations between the two 
countries. South Asia expects George W. Bush's cowboy 
diplomacy to come to an end. If it does not, Obama's 
victory speech may turn out to be yet another false 
promise held by a US President." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00002961  002 OF 004 
 
 
¶3. "CHALLENGES FOR OBAMA" op-ed article by New Delhi- 
based foreign affairs editor Vijay Naik in the November 
20, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily 
SAKAAL. "The Obama presidency will have to give a fresh 
impetus to foreign policy initiatives. The withdrawal of 
the U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq will be a top 
priority, and so will the moves to curb the presence of 
Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In his 
campaign, Obama spoke of apprehending Al Qaeda leader 
Osama bin Laden. The coming months will show how he acts 
upon it. Of course India will be a great help to Obama in 
the context of the war against Pakistan-sponsored 
terrorism.  Obama's telephone conversation with Indian 
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has to be viewed in this 
context. Obama, in his campaign speeches, has often 
iterated that he intends to maintain and strengthen 
diplomatic relations with India. Indians are therefore 
looking forward to Obama's future decisions...." 
Similar editorial appeared in the left-of-center Marathi 
daily AAPLA MAHANAGAR. 
 
¶4. "OBAMA-OSAMA"  editorial in the November 20, 2008 
multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT 
SAMACHAR.  "Even before taking the oath of office, 
President-elect Barack Obama has announced that nabbing 
dreaded fugitive Osama bin Laden, dead or alive, is high 
on his priority list.  President Bush has also been 
trying to achieve the same thing, for the past five 
years, but has not succeeded thus far....  By using this 
language, Obama has delivered an important message to the 
world about the way he thinks....  The two important 
challenges that America faces today are recession and 
terrorism.  Obama faces the onerous task of taking the 
bull by the horns vis-`-vis global recession and global 
terrorism.  The world is waiting eagerly to watch Obama's 
battle against Osama." 
 
--------- 
G-21 MEET 
--------- 
 
¶5. "G-20 SUMMIT", editorial in November 19 right-of- 
center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "Explaining the 
reasons behind the current financial crisis, Prime 
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that policies adopted by 
the developed countries are mainly responsible for it. He 
pointed out that developing countries are suffering for 
no faults on their part. There are strong possibilities 
that President-elect Barack Obama may call such a session 
of G-20 once again, because financial crisis is his first 
and foremost challenge to face. What is most needed is 
all countries should translate their resolutions into 
efficacious modus operandi by their collective efforts 
and endeavors. They should envisage a mechanism to keep 
the entire situation under strict surveillance. They must 
ensure that developing countries may be least affected by 
the crisis. India may play a key role in this regard." 
 
¶6. "G-20 SUMMIT", editorial in November 19 right-of- 
center "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "The problem is more 
related to developing countries than the developed ones. 
 
NEW DELHI 00002961  003 OF 004 
 
 
The financial crisis compelled the developed countries, 
directly, to be dependent on the developing countries. G- 
20 Summit made it clear that not only the world is 
changing, its ideologies too, are undergoing a change." 
 
--------- 
PALESTINE 
--------- 
 
¶7. "HUMAN TRAGEDY IN GAZA", editorial in November 19 
right-of-center Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "Hamas 
occupied area of Palestine is, once again, reeling under 
a worst human tragedy and catastrophe. Israel has blocked 
all the routes leading to this area. As a result, no 
food, medicine and other necessities of life cannot be 
reinforced, any more. No law on earth can permit Israel 
for such activities in Gaza. Relief & Works Agency of the 
United Nations Organization too, has condemned Israel for 
such activities and termed them as the worst aggression. 
According to the spokesman of the Agency, "the situation 
is not only unacceptable, it is rather shameful." These 
activities of Israel are a stark violation of Geneva 
Convention. Despite peace champions like America, 
European Union and others, which claim themselves to be 
the flag-bearer of Human Rights, are mute spectators, and 
supporting Israel. To take revenge on Hamas, Israel is 
inflicting serious tortures to a whole community. Strong 
notice should be taken for such gross violation of Human 
Rights. Israel's evil designs cannot be permitted, at any 
cost." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶8. "OBAMA TOES THE LINE OF BUSH", editorial in November 
19 right-of-center Urdu daily "MUNSIF", Hyderabad: "In 
matters of so-called terrorism related to the al-Qaeda, 
Osama Bin Laden and Muslims, Obama has reiterated his 
firm resolve, toeing thereby the line of Bush. This 
should remove the vain hopes from Obama. His statement or 
resolve is in stark contrast of what he said talking 
about the over-all change. Issuing the warrant of death 
for Osama Bin Laden, Bush, in fact, has followed the 
uncivilized and tyrant rules of ancient times, Hitler and 
other oppressive fascist rulers. Obama wants to do the 
same. He may target a number of Islamic countries besides 
Pakistan. In this way, he may not bring any substantial 
policy change, and his recent statement is quite enough 
to strangle all optimism in this regard." 
 
¶9. "OBAMA AND OSAMA", editorial in November 19 right-of- 
center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: "The first 
colored President-elect, Barack Obama said, in his first 
interview after his victory, that the >gjz_,QO1+wV@Bush, al-Qaeda will die its 
own death. Obama will not 
 
NEW DELHI 00002961  004 OF 004 
 
 
have to take much pain. Sometimes rulers need to create 
an imaginary enemy in order to divert the attention of 
people from serious internal issues, so that they may 
escape away from their wrath and fury. Considering Osama 
as his priority no. 1, if Obama starts wasting the 
American resources in it, it would mean that he is 
extending the policies of Bush. He has won the 
Presidential election in the name of a change. He must 
honor his promise by bringing a positive change 
throughout the length and breadth of the world." 
 
---- 
IRAQ 
---- 
 
¶10. "ROLE REVERSAL," editorial in November 19 centrist 
HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Under the pact signed with Iraq, 
U.S. troops will be withdrawn by December 31, 2011. The 
accord gives Iraq expanded legal jurisdiction when 
serious crimes are committed by U.S. troops.  The U.S. 
has also agreed not to attack Iraq's neighbors from 
inside Iraq lessoning the possibility of an attack on 
Iran. However, this agreement is opposed and criticized 
on both fronts it is clear that the two nations will try 
to implement it. It is like a return of an intelligent 
foreign policy of U.S., which has learnt a lesson from 
Iraq invasion. It can also reflect in Afghanistan in the 
future. If the Taliban and Al-Qaida receives this message 
right it can start a new phase of peace in the West 
Asia." 
WHITE