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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: DECEMBER 19, 2008 
 
Summary:  Newspapers highlighted report that the "Pakistani Foreign 
Office summoned Indian deputy high commissioner and conveyed 
'concern' over last week's violation of Pakistani airspace by Indian 
Air Force jets."  The latest Pakistan Policy Working Group's report 
stating "Pakistan may be the single greatest challenge for the next 
American president" got front-page coverage in several newspapers. 
Most newspapers ran remarks by Ambassador Patterson that she made 
while talking to a TV network that the "U.S. gave Pakistan $1.2 
billion for the war on terror in a year."  Also underscored by 
newspapers were reports that President Zardari was informed by 
security officials that the "government would be in a position to 
exercise complete control over Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies by the 
end of December." 
 
Today's Urdu and English newspapers differed in their choice of 
editorials.  In Urdu papers "the rejection of the U.S. Ambassador's 
offer to brief the National Security Committee, dominated the 
editorial pages."  On the contrary, the post-Mumbai scenario 
continued to grab attention of English editorialists.  Criticizing 
the decision of the NSC, the Urdu daily "Jang" observed that "it is 
not in our national interest to send message to the international 
community that we as a nation aren't ready to be acquainted with 
different facets of truth."  In contrast, Urdu daily, "Ausaf" noted 
that the "members of the parliamentary committee have demonstrated 
guts by rejecting the U.S. Ambassador's offer for briefing."  In 
reference to the State Department spokesman's remarks the English 
daily, "Dawn" suggested that "Americans can certainly boost the 
civilian set-up with aid, institution-building and a firm commitment 
to democracy."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"'Concerns' Conveyed To India over Airspace Violation" "Dawn" 
(12/19) 
 
"The Foreign Office summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner on 
Thursday and conveyed 'concerns' over last week's violation of 
Pakistani airspace by Indian Air Force jets, said Foreign Office 
Spokesman Mr. Muhammad Sadiq." 
 
"New Delhi Calls It Disinformation" "Dawn" (12/19) 
 
"India on Thursday dismissed as disinformation Pakistan's protest 
that Indian planes had violated its airspace but said that 
Islamabad's claim would be examined nevertheless and appropriately 
responded to, India's foreign ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash 
said." 
 
"Pak Civilian Oversight Of ISI, Army Proposed; Report 'The Next 
Chapter: The United States And Pakistan' Launched" "The Nation" 
(12/19) 
 
"Pakistan may be the single greatest challenge facing the next 
American President as the U.S. interests in this country are more 
threatened now than at any time since the Taliban were driven from 
Afghanistan in 2001.  Pakistan Policy Working Group, an independent, 
bipartisan group of leading American experts on U.S.-Pakistan 
relations, said this in a report, 'The Next Chapter: The United 
States and Pakistan' formally launched here on Thursday." 
 
"U.S. Think Tank Shows Dismal Scenario For Pakistan" "Daily Times" 
(12/19) 
 
"A report by an independent bipartisan think tank of U.S. experts on 
Pakistan - shared with journalists, politicians and analysts in 
Islamabad on Thursday - depicted a dismal picture of the country, 
saying Pakistan may be the single greatest challenge for the next 
American president." 
 
"U.S. Has Given $1.2 Billion Aid To Pakistan In A Year" "Daily 
Times," "The Post," "The Statesman" (12/19) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson said on Thursday that 
the U.S. has given Pakistan $1.2 billion for the war on terror over 
a year - with a grant of $400 million to Pakistan continuing 
quarterly - and America has no intention to block the aid.  Talking 
to a private TV channel, Patterson said it was necessary for 
Pakistan to rid itself of terrorism." 
 
"Anne Patterson Calls On Qaim Ali Shah" "The Nation" (12/19) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson on Thursday called on Sindh Chief 
Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at Chief Minister House, Karachi.  The 
Chief Minister while welcoming the U.S. Ambassador to Karachi 
apprised her of prevailing situation as well as law and order in the 
province and the measures being taken to keep it under control." 
 
"Full Control Over Bajaur, Mohmand By End Of December" "Dawn" 
(12/19) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari continued his meeting with elders from 
the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) for the second day on 
Thursday and the participants were informed that the government 
would be in a position to exercise complete control over Mohmand and 
Bajaur Agencies by the end of the current month." 
 
"No Dictation From U.S., India: Zardari" "The Post" (12/19) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday told the tribal elders that 
the government was not taking any dictation from the United States 
or India regarding operation against terrorists." 
 
"Bajaur Operation To End By Winter's End, Says Owais" "The News" 
(12/19) 
 
"NWFP governor Owais Ahmad Ghani on Thursday said military operation 
in Bajaur Agency would end by the end of this winter after which the 
displaced people would return to their homes." 
 
"Zardari To Visit Afghanistan" "Dawn" (12/19) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari will visit Afghanistan for the first 
time on Friday (Today) for talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid 
Karzai on ways to jointly combat terrorism, the Foreign Ministry 
said." 
 
"New Strategy To Tackle Latest Security Threats; Foreign Models 
Being Studied, NA Told" "Dawn" (12/19) 
 
"The government on Thursday hinted in the National Assembly at the 
possibility of formulating a new national security policy to meet 
present-day challenges about which it said foreign models were being 
studied and opposition views would be welcome." 
 
"U.S. Involved In Mumbai Attacks; LHC Bar Says America, India 
Spreading Terrorism To Destabilize Pakistan" "The Nation" (12/19) 
 
"The Lahore High Court Bar Association  (LHCBA) on Thursday 
unanimously carried a resolution to blame America for spreading 
terrorism in Pakistan and noted that the U.S. was involved in Mumbai 
attacks." 
 
"We Are Not Involved In Terrorism, Reject U.S. Allegation: Jamaatud 
Dawa" (Nawa-i-Waqt," "Express" (12/19) 
 
"Jamaatud Dawa has rejected the U.S. Secretary of State's allegation 
of JuD's involvement in terrorism.  Jamaatud Dawa spokesman Abdullah 
Muntazir said that instead of accepting the facts, the U.S. is 
safeguarding Indian interests." 
 
"JI Stages Rally To Protest NATO Supplies Via Pakistan" "The News" 
(12/19) 
 
"Over 10,000 activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami protested here 
[where??????]on Thursday against allowing the U.S. forces to ship 
supplies through Pakistan into Afghanistan.  The protesters called 
for the government to block the vital supply routes for the Western 
forces in Afghanistan in response to the US missile strikes on 
al-Qaeda and Taliban targets in Pakistan." 
 
"NWFP Assembly Showers Praise On Muntazer Al-Zaidi" "The News" 
(12/19) 
 
"The NWFP Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution, 
praising Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi for tossing shoes at 
outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush and demanded immediate 
release of the newsman." 
 
"India Tests Cruise Missile" "Dawn" (12/19) 
 
"India successfully tested a supersonic cruise missile from a moving 
ship for the first time on Thursday, in what officials said was a 
major boost for the South Asian nation's defence capabilities." 
 
"Delhi To Build Missile Defence Shield With U.S. Help" "The Nation" 
(12/19) 
 
"India is soon to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the 
United States to boost its missile defense system, reports the 
Indian TV channel Times Now.  The MoU is aimed at giving India the 
state of the art technology that will allow it to intercept any 
threat from ballistic missiles." 
 
"Gates Orders Plan For Closing Guantanamo" "Dawn" (12/19) 
 
"U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has ordered aides to draw up 
plans for closing the 'war on terror' prison at Guantanamo, a 
declared priority for president-elect Barack Obama, a spokesman said 
on Thursday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Rebuff Briefing - Insistence On Ignorance," an editorial in the 
leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) 
(12/19) 
 
"It is not in our national interest to send message to the 
international community that we as a nation aren't ready to be 
acquainted with different facets of truth, and that we insist on our 
stand based on assumptions without seeing the whole picture.  It is 
surprising that some countries demand access to some of our 
individuals and institutions to solicit information whereas we are 
losing such opportunities on serious issues like that of drone 
attacks." 
 
"NSC Rejection To U.S. Envoy's Offer For Briefing," an editorial in 
the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) 
(12/19) 
 
"According to diplomatic norms, the U.S. Ambassador isn't supposed 
to give a briefing to the Parliamentary Committee on National 
Security Affairs.  If diplomats have a message of their governments, 
they should contact the Foreign Office of the host country.  The 
members of the parliamentary committee have demonstrated guts by 
rejecting the U.S. Ambassador's offer for briefing." 
 
"Baseless Allegations On Pakistan," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(12/19) 
 
"National Security Committee's rejection of the U.S. offer for 
briefing about the situation arising out of the U.S. intrusions 
should be interpreted as demonstration of the popular sentiments of 
the people of Pakistan.  Like the U.S. policy makers, the U.S. 
officials in Islamabad are also aware of the fact that the U.S. 
policy on Pakistani tribal areas and its missile attacks are raising 
problems for the national security of Pakistan, and perhaps that is 
why the U.S. Ambassador sought to offer briefing.  This bid should 
be termed as a straightforward attempt to twist facts and 
realities." 
 
"Principled Stand Of NSC," an editorial in the Peshawar-based 
Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (12/19) 
 
"Despite the FBI report that bails out both the Government of 
Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI from involvement in Mumbai 
attacks, the Indian and the western media go on with their malicious 
propaganda against Pakistan.  It seems that Pakistan has been fated 
to be treated as wrongdoer and to be condemned." 
 
"National Security Committee's Refusal To Take A Briefing From The 
U.S. Ambassador," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 
25,000) (12/19) 
 
"It would not be wrong to say that refusing to attend the [U.S. 
Ambassador's] briefing is a kind of protest against U.S. 
 
attitude....  Circumstances demand that instead of trying to 
convince the Pakistani authorities, the U.S. Ambassador should 
inform the Bush administration about the anti-U.S. sentiments these 
drone attacks are fanning in Pakistan so that the administration can 
review its decision on the strikes." 
 
"Army And Civilians," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (12/19) 
 
"Clearly there is some way to go yet in the quest for civilian 
supremacy in Pakistan.  How to facilitate that quest is what should 
be on the minds of the incoming officials who will handle 
president-elect Obama's policy towards Pakistan.  What must be clear 
is that civilian supremacy in the civil-military relations cannot be 
imposed from outside, no matter how powerful the force.  But the 
Americans can certainly boost the civilian set-up with aid, 
institution-building and a firm commitment to democracy." 
 
"Absence Of Evidence," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (12/19) 
 
"The risk is that the contrary lines taken by New Delhi and 
Islamabad over the issue of Pakistani involvement will lead to the 
existing tensions lingering on and perhaps even worsening....  The 
trading of allegations and counter-allegations must give way to a 
more constructive effort to determine which elements were involved 
in the Mumbai attacks.  This is vital for the future security of 
both nations." 
 
"Post-Mumbai Scenario," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (12/19) 
 
"It is quite obvious that the terrorists, who ransacked Mumbai and 
took the lives of over 170 persons last month, had at least one 
objective in view.  They wanted Pakistan to divert its attention to 
the eastern front to give the terrorist elements active on the 
Pak-Afghan border a freer hand." 
 
"Engaging India After The UN Ban," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (12/19) 
 
"If the Congress government is not willing to take the cue from 
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to send a 
delegation to Pakistan to map out the next steps for the two 
countries to take on the Mumbai attack, it should present its own 
road map on how to proceed....  What is needed is immediate 
engagement, not gradual distancing." 
 
"Unjustified detention of Jamaatud Daawa people" an editorial note 
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (12/19) 
 
"Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar has said that the government is not 
carrying out a trial against the 90 arrested persons of Jamaatud 
Dawa. He has also said that the government has not received any 
evidence against the detainees of involvement in the Mumbai 
attacks....  What is the justification of keeping Jamaatud Dawa 
leaders under detention if there is no evidence against the Jamaatud 
Dawa?  Keeping an individual under detention without justification 
is not only illegal but is also against the government's interests. 
This would only complicate the matters further, which the present 
government cannot afford. Hence it is in national interests that the 
detained Jamaatud Dawa persons be released immediately." 
 
"Not For Sale, Now And Never," an editorial in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (12/19) 
 
"Pakistan is not a nation of merchants that it should sell its 
nukes....  What can be more absurd than to proclaim that only a few 
members of the international community have the right to possess 
nuclear weapons?  If threat perception is the admitted basis of 
legitimacy of nuclear weapons program, then which country is more 
qualified than Pakistan?" 
 
"Pakistan Must Not Scum To Blackmail," an op-ed by Dr. Mubashir 
Hasan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 
20,000) (12/19) 
 
"Following the Bombay carnage, Indians for domestic reasons, and the 
USA for its strategic objectives have joined hands to pressure 
 
Pakistan's weak-minded rulers.  Notwithstanding the internal 
weaknesses, Pakistan can take a stand and hold its own even against 
the combine of USA with other nations." 
 
"Coming To Terms With December Blues," an op-ed by Shafqat Mahmood 
in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(12/19) 
 
"For Americans and the West in general, all our assets are negative. 
 Help them because they are an unstable nuclear power.  Give them 
aid so that they fight against the Taliban and not with them on the 
Afghan front.  Pour money into their education system because their 
Madarassas are breeding terrorists.  Do not abandon them because 
they are a failing state, and if they fail, the extremists will take 
over and create a nuclear holocaust.  And so it goes.  We are 
variously being described as Obama's greatest foreign-policy 
challenge or the next place from where the U.S. will be attacked. 
There was a time one would yearn for a mention of Pakistan in the 
foreign media; now it makes us cringe.  What new level of ghoulish 
nightmare are we now going to be saddled with?" 
 
 
Patterson