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P 030915Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4502
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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RUEHNEH/AMCONSUL HYDERABAD
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RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 2169
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9132
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RHOVVKG/COMSEVENTHFLT
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 003050 
 
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: MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS; 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." 
 
--------------------- 
MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS 
--------------------- 
 
¶1. "THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION," editorial in the 
December 2 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "Terrorist 
organizations have miserably failed to play the Islam 
card and influence India's Muslims. Terrorists have tried 
many times, but each time they failed. A sign if this is 
that Muslims in Kashmir defied the diktats of the 
militants by going out and voting in great numbers, under 
the shadow of the Mumbai attacks. India's Muslims have 
realized that the jehadis do not have the solutions to 
their problems. India's famous Darool Uloom seminary in 
Deoband recently issued an edict against terrorism, which 
was supported by over 6,000 Muslim scholars. Muslims in 
India have come out strongly against the Mumbai incident, 
openly venting their outrage on blogs and internet 
websites. One Muslim organization even lobbied against 
burying these terrorists on Indian soil. India's Muslims 
are not going to play into the hands of terrorists - that 
is the message that went out. India's Muslims have 
demonstrated that they are the strength of the nation." 
 
¶2. "ANGER SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTIVE," editorial in the 
December 2 DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "The Mumbai 
attacks have caused pain and anger in the hearts of all 
Indians, and that is perfectly understandable. After all, 
the nation has been outraged. But can we harness this 
flow of negative energy into something positive? Can we 
channelize this anguish and find in it positive energy to 
move us forward? Can India's leaders convert this 
incident into an advantage. Will they stand up to the 
challenge? We need to be rational in our outbursts 
against Pakistan as well as our own leaders. Only 
constructive criticism will make our leaders 
responsible." 
 
¶3. "WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?"  editorial in the December 3, 
2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT 
SAMACHAR.  "After the gruesome attacks on Mumbai last 
week, the debate on what should be done next to prevent 
recurrence of such terrorist  incidents is gaining 
momentum...  The country and its citizens feel a strong 
need for stringent laws and concrete action by the 
government.  The people of this country are sick of 
hearing that government understands the pain of its 
citizenry.  People want the government to pursue some 
tangible action with aggressiveness rather than offering 
mere lip service....  Isn't it ironic that our present-day 
government is scheduled to have a cabinet meeting on 
December 4 to urge the Sri Lankan government not to 
declare war against the LTTE there but is promising us 
that it will crush terrorists from Pakistan!" 
 
NEW DELHI 00003050  002 OF 004 
 
 
 
¶4. "WHAT ABOUT THE 'PAKISTANS' FLOURISHING IN INDIA?" 
editorial in the December 3, 2008, Mumbai edition of 
right-of-center Marathi daily SAAMNA.  "Just as has 
happened in the past, Indian politicians, specially the 
Delhi-based Congress party heads, are currently mulling 
over strict military action against Pakistan. Angered and 
surcharged, these rulers wish to teach a lesson to 
Pakistan for its obvious connivance in the recent 
terrorist violence in Mumbai. But their words do not 
signify much action. In fact their responses are 
characteristic of the usual doublespeak. If they are that 
serious about the intended action on Pakistan, why can't 
they first stop the appeasement of Muslims in various 
pockets of India. Why is it that the mastermind of an 
earlier terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, Afzal 
Guru, has not been hanged despite Supreme Court orders? 
Indian administrators have to address themselves to the 
`Jehad' flourishing in their own country. Why talk about 
the terror camps in Karachi and Lahore when similar ones 
exist in cities like Mumbai too...." 
 
¶5. "PAKISTAN'S TRICKERY" editorial in the December 3, 
2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily 
NAVASHAKTI.  "As is always the case, Pakistan has claimed 
innocence in the latest terrorist plot that shattered 
Mumbai. Much like a brazen administration which has 
mastered the art of deceit, Pakistan has asked for 
evidence of Pakistani complicity in the recent Mumbai 
attacks. This is the time for our rulers to not let this 
opportunity wither away. We have to put our best foot 
forward and not let Pakistan get away with its deception. 
Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only terrorist who is being 
interrogated about the nature of the plot, can provide 
enough leads in this direction. We should be able to 
produce strong evidence before the international 
community. Pakistan will then never be able to pronounce 
the usual 'we are not involved' line..." 
 
¶6. "WHEN WILL POLITICIANS RETURN TO THEIR SENSES?" 
editorial in the December 3 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali 
daily, BARTAMAN.  "Common people are gradually getting 
annoyed with politicians. Most of the political leaders 
make their moves with an eye on elections. Depending on 
the sittation, they play their communal cards and pose 
themselves as Hindu, Muslim, or Christian sympathizers 
but they never become humanitarian. Politicians perhaps 
failed to learn a lesson even after people rejected them 
in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks... It may be too 
late for them to realize the gravity of the situation." 
 
¶7. "POLITICIANS AND PEOPLE," editorial in the December 3 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"This is for the first time that politicians face an 
obligation about their accountability to people... The 
situation has evolved with media activism as well... The 
reality that once elected, they will not have to become 
accountable...provides confidence to politicians. But 
people now point their fingers toward political leaders 
for their audacity, lack of sensitivity, selfishness, and 
for playing nasty politics with terrorism... Humanitarian 
 
NEW DELHI 00003050  003 OF 004 
 
 
sensitivity does not have any place in their culture. 
Will they ever become sensitive?" 
 
¶8. "INDIA IS NOT ALONE" editorial in the December 3, 2008 
right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF, Hyderabad 
(Circulation: 45,620): "The terror attack on Mumbai has 
drawn world attention towards India. The world community 
has not only expressed sympathy with us but also offered 
assistance and co-operation at this crucial moment. The 
positive attitude of our friends is highly appreciable 
and of course encouraging. As per our expectations, 
America is on the top of the countries to offer 
assistance in this regard. President Bush called twice to 
Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh assuring him full assistance 
in investigation of terror attacks on Mumbai. Secretary 
Rice is also visiting India to express solidarity with 
the country.  Israel and the other countries particularly 
the British agencies have also come up for help... However 
Israel's involvement in investigations is dangerous as it 
is alleged that the terror attacks on Mumbai is the 
handiwork of the Zionist forces and the MOSSAD. So it 
wound not advisable to trust upon Israel as well as the 
pro-Zionism American and British agencies." 
 
¶9. "BEYOND THE BORDERS", editorial in the December 2 
right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi 
(Circulation: 63,000): "In the background of current 
situation in Pakistan, ISI can never dare indulge in such 
activities because it is, itself, a victim of tremendous 
terrorism. Moreover, Pakistani government, under American 
pressure, is taking action against terrorists at its 
western borders. India should get most out of global 
sympathy with it. Concrete results may be obtained 
against terrorism by the cooperation of other countries 
particularly, that of Pakistan. Pakistan is our neighbor. 
In this capacity, it may play a positive role in Mumbai 
incidence. India should, therefore, make very diligent 
moves. It can make its current mission against terrorism, 
a success, only with the help of other countries 
including Pakistan." 
 
¶10. "MURDER OF JUSTICE", op-ed in the December 2 right- 
of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi 
(Circulation: 53,000) by columnist Moonisa Bushra Abidi: 
"Those who are relating the Mumbai incidence with Jammu 
and Kashmir militancy or Pakistan's "Islamic terrorism" 
deserve our sympathy for their ignorance. Why people 
other than Pakistanis cannot enter through the Gateway of 
India? Do traditional weapons ensure Pakistani hand? Why 
the followers of those who can enflame the entire Gujarat 
after putting Sabarmati Express on flames; those who are 
responsible for bomb-blasts in Nander, Malegaon, Modasa 
and Samjhauta Express, cannot do such activities? Why the 
followers of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma 
Gandhi, cannot be held responsible for the Mumbai 
incidence? It is said that Nathuram Godse was in Muslim 
attire, when he assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. And what 
obstacles could stop them when they have their supporters 
in Police and Army?" 
 
¶11. "INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS," editorial in December 03, 
 
NEW DELHI 00003050  004 OF 004 
 
 
Bangalore-based independent Kannada daily KANNADA PRABHA 
(circulation: 180,000):  "...So far India has not reacted 
to any provocations of Pakistan and Bangladesh.  If India 
reacts to these intimidations, the relationship with 
Pakistan has to be reviewed.  It will be really helpful 
to present the evidence, which is being collected in the 
recent Mumbai terror attacks, to prove the Pakistani hand 
during the discussions in the international forum.  It is 
the responsibility of the government to take the national 
consensus into consideration before evolving any policy 
with regard to Pakistan." 
 
¶12. "RELATIONSHIP IN TROUBLE," editorial in December 03, 
Bangalore-based independent Kannada daily VIJAY 
KANRNATAKA (circulation: 700,000):  "...Pakistan, always, 
hesitates to take action against terrorists.  It does not 
want to accept the fact that terrorists use Pakistan as a 
base. Instead of curbing terrorism, Pakistan chooses to 
provoke the public sentiment by propagating anti-India 
sentiments and that is politically helpful.  Pakistan 
also feels that it is always better to keep the proxy war 
on than a direct war with India.  The international 
community should condemn this attitude of Pakistan.  US 
Secretary of State Rice is coming to India and India has 
to use this occasion to put pressure on Pakistan through 
Secretary Rice.  Terrorists' bases should be rooted out. 
Criminals like Dawood Ibrahim and should be deported to 
India.  Will the U.S. help India in this regard?" 
MULFORD