VZCZCXRO2838
RR RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #1241/01 3361048
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011048Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7839
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0959
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9978
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2479
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8739
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1878
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0340
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1586
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 0347
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0988

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 001241 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PB 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL BG
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: MUMBAI TERROIST ATTACKS 
 
¶1.  Summary and Comment: Mainstream English and Bangla-language 
newspapers across the political and religious spectrum condemned the 
Mumbai terrorist attacks.  Editorials generally focused on two 
issues.  First, most editorials called on India to refrain from 
blaming neighboring countries before completing a thorough 
investigation.  Many editorials noted that following previous 
terrorist attacks, the Indian government and media were quick to 
blame Islamic terrorists based in Pakistan or Bangladesh. 
Generally, however, following an investigation, the Indians 
concluded that domestic non-Islamic groups were actually responsible 
for some of these attacks and not foreigners.  Second, many media 
outlets called for regional action to effectively combat terrorism 
in South Asia.  Regional coordination could create a platform for 
South Asian countries to better combat terrorist activities.  End 
summary and comment. 
 
¶2. A selection of media reaction follows: 
 
¶A. "REGIONAL UNITY AGAINST TERRORISM," an editorial in the November 
29 anti-West-leaning Bangla daily INQILAB: 
 
"Many compare the Mumbai attack to 9/11....  India has been the 
victim of terrorist attacks from time to time.  In most instances, a 
domestic or home grown terrorist organization claims responsibility. 
 Still, the government blames neighboring countries.  Soon after the 
Mumbai attack, an Indian terrorist group named 'Deccan Mujahideen' 
claimed responsibility.  Despite this claim, the Indian PM stated 
that no neighboring country would be forgiven.  The editorial writer 
said that people should refrain from blaming neighbors on the basis 
of only speculation or a grudge.  If they do, the main culprits can 
escape.  As all countries in this region are victims of terrorism, 
engaging in this sort of blame game might hamper the economic 
development of South Asia instead ending terrorist activities. 
Mutual cooperation and coordination are needed to curb terrorism in 
this region.... India and other South Asian countries must be 
cautious against international plots to destroy the prospect of 
economic development in India and the region as a result of domestic 
terrorism and poor relations between neighbors." 
 
¶B.  "ANOTHER TERRORIST ATTACK IN MUMBAI," another editorial in the 
November 28 anti-West Bangla daily INQILAB: 
 
"Whoever is responsible for this attack, even if they are Muslims, 
should be immediately identified and brought to justice.  Special 
attention should be given in the area so that stereotypes, 
speculation or baseless suspicion does not influence the legal 
process... India also should find out who the real culprits behind 
this attack are and identify the 'modus operandi' of this attack." 
 
¶C.  "THIS ATTACK IS AGAINST HUMANITY," editorial in the November 28 
pro-Jamaat Bangla daily NAYA DIGANTA: 
 
"It has been reported that the Deccan Mujahideen claimed 
responsibility for the attacks. We have seen in the past that 
captured terrorists often blame other groups in order to deflect 
attention away from the real culprits.  In India, the authorities 
frequently classify attacks as 'Islamic terrorism' and blame Muslim 
groups.  But Islam and terrorism are totally contradictory.  Islam 
is a religion of peace.  There is no place for terrorism in Islam, 
and Islam condemns terrorism severely.  In the Malegaon terrorist 
incident on September 29, efforts were made to blame Muslims. 
Later, it was discovered during the investigation that a Hindu 
extremist group was involved.  A colonel working in the Indian Army 
supplied explosives to that group.  Most astonishing is that the 
person who discovered the truth, Hemant Karkare, the head of the 
Anti-terrorist Squad, was killed in the latest Mumbai attack.  The 
mystery behind this should be solved." 
 
¶D.  "UNITED EFFORTS NEEDED TO CURB TERRORISM," editorial in the 
November 28 pro-BNP Bangla daily AMAR DESH: 
 
"For the past several months, India has been a regular target for 
terrorist attacks.  In the past, the Indians instantly blamed the 
Pakistan intelligence agency, ISI.  Recently, the Indian media has 
also accused Bangladeshis of engaging in terrorist activities.  We 
have consistently asked India not to blame others without evidence. 
Instead, coordination among South Asian nations is required to 
eliminate the root of terrorism.  It should also be kept in mind 
that the terrorist activities are not one-dimensional but 
multi-dimensional.  The Maharashtra police probe reveals that an 
extremist Hindu organization, Avinaba Bharat, is directly involved 
 
DHAKA 00001241  002 OF 003 
 
 
in many terrorist attacks in India.  In Assam, Boro separatists are 
responsible for violence.  The degree that Delhi's policy makers are 
responsible for increased terrorist activities should also be 
examined.  Our position is that terrorism has no ethnic or religious 
identity. " 
 
¶E.  "NO MORE BONFIRE OF CIVILIZATIONS," editorial in the November 28 
anti-fundamentalist and pro-Awami League Bangla daily SHAMOKAL: 
 
"In terms of planning and implementation, the Mumbai violence can 
only be compared to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.  The 
magnitude of this violence seems incredible but the question arises 
after every violent act: Why is there no effective security system? 
This violence will not achieve political or any other goals but the 
terrorists are desperate. Terrorism breeds suspicion and mistrust 
among the states. The terrorists must be defeated in every corner 
and be isolated from the society and state." 
 
¶F.  "DANGEROUS TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE CITY OF MUMBAI," an editorial 
in the November 28 pro-Awami League SANGBAD editorial: 
 
"The Mumbai attack is another reminder that united efforts by South 
Asian countries against terrorism are essential. Without eliminating 
terrorism, democratic political systems and the lives of the people 
are not safe." 
 
¶G.  "TERRORIST ATTACK IN MUMBAI," editorial in the November 29 
anti-fundamentalist and pro-Awami League Bangla daily JANAKANTHA: 
 
"Around the world people do not support terrorism. We also do not 
support it.  So terrorism cannot be a part of a democratic 
environment... If terrorism cannot be controlled, the democratic 
political system and peace are not safe.  All countries in this 
region should urgently adopt a joint work plan to control 
terrorism." 
 
¶H.  "TERRORIST ATTACK IN MUMBAI: WE CONDEMN THIS DEVILISH ATTACK," 
an editorial in the November 29 neutral Bangla daily PROTHOM ALO: 
 
"It is known that British and American citizens were the prime 
targets of this terrorist attack.  The immensity of the attack and 
the death of a few high ranking officials have attached 
international significance to this incident...  The ghastliness and 
novelty of this attack damage the peace of mind and feeling of 
security of all people in South Asia.  It is not yet clear who is 
behind this attack.  There are many possible sources of terrorism in 
India.  In addition to Islamist militant activities, there are Hindu 
extremist groups as well....  Apart from that, separatists are also 
active in many states.  At the same time, the activities of foreign 
agencies are also not above suspicion in the backdrop of post 9/11 
international terrorist networks.  All quarters should abstain from 
blaming each other without sufficient evidence.  A proper 
investigation to discover the identity of the perpetrators and their 
collaborators is vital for this region as well as the rest of the 
world." 
 
¶I.  "MUMBAI SIEGE CONTINUES: INDO-PAK INTELLIGENCE TO COOPERATE" 
editorial in the November 29 neutral English daily THE DAILY STAR: 
 
"We believe that this is the first sign of a constructive engagement 
between Pakistan and India, which sharply contrasts with the pattern 
of accusation and denial the two countries pursued in the past.  We 
hope this time around the call for cooperation will be seen and 
utilized in earnest by both countries to fight a common enemy -- 
terrorism.... 
 
We hope the latest terrorist attack in Mumbai has left governments 
in other South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, wiser than 
before, as we have witnessed the manifestation of many home-grown 
terrorist outfits in the region.  Pakistan is paying a heavy price 
today for not having acted early against its home-grown militant 
groups.  We said yesterday and we say it again that Bangladesh 
should not suffer from the illusion that it is immune to such 
terrorist attacks.... Politicians from the two major parties must 
work together to fight the menace without ever using them to 
materialize their selfish interests, regardless of the outcome of 
the coming election.  We have to be preemptive in dealing with the 
armed militants without giving them the opportunity to strike 
first." 
 
¶J.  "THE CARNAGE IN MUMBAI," another editorial in the November 28 
 
DHAKA 00001241  003 OF 003 
 
 
neutral English daily THE DAILY STAR: 
 
"The fact that the attacks have been so coordinated and so easily 
carried out clearly raises the fear that not only India and Pakistan 
but the region as a whole is now in a state of severe 
vulnerability....  It has been a sad day not only for Indians but 
also for people across the world and especially for us in South 
Asia....  On a bigger scale, South Asian stability is at stake." 
 
¶K.  "WE CONDEMN THIS NASTIEST TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI," an 
editorial in the November 29 pro-U.S. Bangla daily ITTEFAQ: 
 
"We severely condemn this attack against humanity.  The attackers 
who rushed to kill innocent and helpless people with modern arms, 
whatever the reasons behind their anger, cannot receive the support 
of peace-loving people of this world.  The people of this world will 
also have to understand that an eye for an eye will not resolve 
political problems.  We must learn why the attackers are ready to 
sacrifice their lives.  We think that world leaders need to consider 
things in a new light." 
 
¶L.  "WE MOURN THE DEAD OF MUMBAI," an editorial in the November 28 
left-leaning English newspaper NEW AGE: 
 
"It is also important to note that India's terrorism problem, as 
with anywhere else, is not exclusively a law and order issue, and 
the government may fail if it seeks to contain it with more 
sophisticated weapons and more draconian laws. In fact, political 
establishments across South Asia, including Bangladesh, find 
themselves in a similar dilemma, struggling to contain the 
increasing incidence of bombings and attacks from radicalized 
groups. Such terrorist attacks, as explained by many respected 
political scientists, are often violent reactions to longstanding 
neglect of certain political, economic and ideological grievances 
endured by the dominated sections of the population." 
 
¶M.  "MUMBAI CARNAGE; PERPETRATORS MUST BE PUNISHED," and editorial 
in the November 28 pro-U.S. English daily THE INDEPENDENT: 
 
"Criminal minds work in an archaic way and they fail to appreciate 
the basic law that human life is the most precious gift of all in 
this world.  The whole world stands united in its firm resolve to 
fight hand in hand to bring to an end once and for all the evil 
forces of terrorism. The perpetrators of the latest Mumbai attack 
must be brought to justice." 
 
PASI