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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 002983 
 
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. ELECTIONS/OBAMA PRESIDENCY, 
PIRACY, GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, IRAQ, IRAN'S NUCLEAR 
PROGRAM; NEW DELHI - NOVEMBER 22-24, 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. ELECTIONS/OBAMA PRESIDENCY 
------------------------------- 
 
¶1. "HOW BENEFICIAL IS THE OBAMA WIN TO THE ISLAMIC 
WORLD?" editorial in the November 24, 2008, Mumbai 
edition of right-of-center Marathi daily SAAMNA.  "The 
world knows that neither the U.S. Presidential elections 
nor the elections to the House of Representatives make 
any difference to the U.S. policies and programs.  But 
the point is that the U.S. President does impact the rest 
of the world and he makes a difference to the Indian 
policymakers as well... In many of his presidential 
campaign speeches, Obama has shown the resolve to 
withdraw the U.S.-led occupation forces from Iraq. But 
that rhetoric can be made possible only when the U.S. is 
able to win over the Iraqi people. Also the U.S will need 
to initiate a peace process with Iran and that can be 
initiated only when the U.S. withdraws the allegations 
leveled against Iran. The situation is far too complex 
for the U.S. The economic meltdown has further worsened 
the situation and the U.S. cannot even threaten military 
action against these 'Islamic' forces, like it did in the 
past... One does not foresee Obama departing from the past 
foreign policy as far as Islamic countries are concerned. 
How different does one expect him to be with regard to 
Pakistan or Afghanistan? The global war against Al Qaeda 
will gain firm focus even in the Obama presidency... On a 
lighter note, the Islamic world does not expect much 
radical policy from a man who has taken enough care to 
remove the 'Hussein' from his name..." 
 
------ 
PIRACY 
------ 
 
¶2. "NEED TO WIPE OUT SOMALI PIRATES"  editorial in the 
the November 23, 2008 centrist Gujarati daily 
GUJARATMITRA.  "At the time when the world has made such 
impressive progress and development, it is hard to 
believe that trade and commerce between nations through 
waterways is being held to ransom by the Somali pirates 
operating off the Gulf of Aden.   Like all other African 
countries, even Somalia is afflicted by poverty and 
backwardness.  Anarchy has reached such epidemic levels 
in this nation that it threatens cargo, and vessels 
carrying items for trade via sea routes opt for longer 
routes.  This might prove to be a costly business....  The 
need of the hour for international sea faring nations is 
to come together and collectively put an end to this 
menace on the sea.  India has shown how such rogue 
elements can be tackled." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00002983  002 OF 003 
 
 
-------------------- 
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR 
-------------------- 
 
¶3. "WATER TERRORISM," editorial in the November 24 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"It is a matter of great concern that a link between 
piracy and Islamic terrorism is...growing stronger. This 
problem cannot become the headache of any particular 
country. This is a global problem. The way of tackling it 
may also become controversial at times. So, it is 
extremely important to evolve necessary international 
regulations. It will not be sufficient for India to 
merely advance towards resolving the problem but it will 
also have to put it in its proper perspective before the 
international arena as soon as possible." 
 
---- 
IRAQ 
---- 
 
¶4. "WILL BUSH BE EXONERATED?", editorial in the November 
21 right-of-center Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "Most 
of the people at international level, now understand that 
war imposed on Iraq, was nothing but a naked aggression 
of George Bush and his administration, greed to capture 
Iraq's oil reservoirs and the most condemnable and gross 
violation of international rules and norms. But those who 
consider the Iraq war a defeat of America, why do they 
hesitate to declare him a culprit of massacre in Iraq 
(the Iraq war killed more than 6 lakhs of guileless 
citizens)? Why should such a person not be prosecuted 
under international laws? Will it not be a bad precedent 
that Bush-like fanatics are left free despite committing 
many heinous crimes? If the world community thinks that 
George W. Bush is responsible for the Iraq war, a 
violator of international laws and a culprit of civilized 
world, his prosecution is essential. All claims of 
championship of peace and justice shall be considered as 
hollow claims, if the flag-bearers of peace, justice and 
human rights, leave such a big criminal at large." 
 
¶5. "IRAQ - U.S. AGREEMENT", editorial in the November 22 
right-of-center Urdu bi-weekly "DAWAT", New Delhi: 
"American military incursion on Iraq has been found 
baseless and unjustified. That is why its allies are 
hesitant to extend their cooperation any more. They also 
started demanding early withdrawal of America from Iraq. 
But America has refused to get out of Iraq. Now, since 
President Bush is departing from the White House and 
president-elect Barrack Obama is in favor of early and 
quick withdrawal of forces, the American administration 
has entered into a security agreement with the government 
of Iraq. However, by the dint of this agreement, American 
forces are now in a sound position to remain stationed in 
Iraq for another three years. American military 
leadership is not in favor of leaving Iraq. One can now 
assess the real motives of America in capturing Iraq." 
 
---------------------- 
 
NEW DELHI 00002983  003 OF 003 
 
 
IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM 
---------------------- 
 
¶6. "A POSTIVE REPORT ABOUT IRAN", editorial in the 
November 23 right-of-center Urdu daily "MUNSIF", 
Hyderabad: "Who gave America or the Western countries a 
right to impose sanctions on Iran? Why do they not demand 
a ban be imposed on Israel's nuclear program? Iran has 
repeatedly assured the international community that it 
will never use its nuclear program, and it's enriched 
Uranium for weapon-production. Now, El Baradai's report 
has vindicated Iran's stand. It is, now, the 
responsibility of the world community to pressure the 
Western countries, especially the U.S., to refrain from 
coercing Iran. Every country has a prerogative to 
continue its peaceful nuclear program. No country should 
criticize peaceful programs of other countries. India and 
other developing countries should support Iran's stand. 
America and the Western countries should demand instead 
the inspection of Israel's nuclear program by a competent 
international agency, so that the world may be informed 
of the horrendous intentions of the Jewish nation. 
Israel, in fact, is the most dreaded threat to world 
peace." 
WHITE