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UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 08 NEW DELHI 003071 
 
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: SECRETARY RICE VISIT TO INDIA 
AND PAKISTAN, IRAQ/STATEMENT OF BUSH; NEW DELHI. 
 
*********************** 
* Missing Section 001 * 
*********************** 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  002 OF 008 
 
 
help from sections of the establishment. This may be one 
of the reasons why the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza 
Rice, wants Pakistan to be actively and, what is more 
important, transparently pursuing the suspects. The 
reason why Washington is pushing the Pakistani 
authorities to get to the bottom of the jihadi operation 
is that it is well aware that if the patrons of the 
terrorists can get away after carrying out one of their 
most daring acts of murder and mayhem, then they will 
only become even bolder. The consequent threat to the 
American mainland, not to mention targets in Europe, is 
obvious. As commentators have noted, one objective of the 
attack on Mumbai was to make India lose patience with the 
peace process, thereby compelling Pakistan to move its 
troops to the eastern border. This will enable al-Qaeda 
and the Taliban to breathe more easily in their hideouts 
in the northwest and focus on more plans for creating 
havoc. The US, which is the primary target of the 
terrorists, has to guard against such a turn of events. 
Its only course, therefore, will be to convince the more 
responsible elements in Islamabad that turning a blind 
eye to the jihadi groups in the country will ultimately 
endanger Pakistan itself." 
 
¶4. "INDIA MUST BUILD IRREFUTABLE CASE," ediorial in the 
December 5 left-of-center English daily DECCAN CHRONICLE 
(circulation: 1 million). "The manner in which Mr. 
Zardari has so implausibly - and ham-handedly - denied 
that the Mumbai attackers were Pakistanis cannot but give 
his credentials a setback. His observation is astounding. 
It flies in the face of the evidence collated so far by 
Indian investigators and corroborated by their American 
counterparts. U.S. Director of Intelligence Mike 
McConnell has all but named the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, in 
saying that those who attacked Mumbai last week were the 
same people who had planted bombs in Mumbai's suburban 
train two years ago, killing 200 people, and executed the 
attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001. 
U.S.Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has noted that 
even if the terrorists were 'stateless' or 'non-state 
actors,' as Mr. Zardari has maintained, Pakistan could 
not shirk the responsibility of dealing with them as they 
operated from Pakistani territory. It is widely 
understood in specialist circles in this country, as well 
as in the United States and Western Europe, that 
terrorist training is handled in Pakistan by serving or 
retired Army officers and those belonging to the 
military's Inter-Services Intelligence. In the event, the 
information coming from the captured terrorist in Mumbai 
has to be treated with due circumspection. He is likely 
to attempt to sell dummies. Every caution must be exerted 
to prepare a dossier that will impress serious 
investigators anywhere. This may involve some 
coordination and forensic and legal assistance from 
others across the world who have been victims of 
terrorism. The necessity for this cannot be 
overemphasized." 
 
¶5. "BALANCING ACT," editorial in the December 5 left-of- 
center English daily DECCAN HERALD (circulation: 
350,000). "Rice's mission has been driven by the U.S.' 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  003 OF 008 
 
 
self interest. The Indian demarche has listed steps like 
handing over a number of wanted people to India. 
Immediate action on such requests may even weaken the 
government and disturb the present precarious arrangement 
of power in the country. The US too would not like to 
disturb that arrangement. The US would not like Pakistan 
to weaken its vigil on Afghan border in any manner and 
Rice's request to India to avoid actions of unintended 
consequences point in that direction. Therefore her call 
to Pakistan for robust action, but also expressing US' 
satisfaction with Pakistan's commitment to fight 
terrorism indicates that US may not push Pakistan beyond 
a point." 
 
¶6. "PROPER MESSAGE TO PAKISTAN," editorial in the 
December 5 independent Kannada daily KANNADA PRABHA 
(circulation: 180,000). "It seems there is no change in 
the stand of Pakistan... At this point, India should be 
open to all possibilities including military action. The 
U.S. should sound a warning (to Pakistan) or initiate 
appropriate action if Pakistan does not help India in 
this hour of crisis. Otherwise, the visit of US Secretary 
of State Condoleezza Rice will be a wasteful exercise." 
 
¶7. "ONE MORE CHANCE TO PAKISTAN," editorial in the 
December 5 left-of-center Kannada daily PRAJAVANI 
(circulation: 550,000). "During her visit to Pakistan, 
the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has 
specifically asked Pakistan to extend all possible help 
to investigate the terror attack in Mumbai and advised 
that  urgent and tough action should be taken against 
terrorists. Pakistan's President, under severe pressure 
from the U.S., said that he would cooperate with 
India. Pakistan should not hesitate to take the help of 
India for rooting out terrorists from its soil." 
 
¶8. "A STUBBORN PAKISTAN," editorial in the December 5 
independent Kannada daily VIJAYA KARNATAKA (circulation: 
700,000). "Even though India is talking tough against 
Pakistan, there is no imminent threat of a war between 
both the countries. Leaders of Pakistan have assured 
visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of all 
possible cooperation to India, which of course, is just 
an eye-wash. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari just 
cannot get away by saying that some 'stateless actors' 
are behind Mumbai attacks." 
 
¶9. "OUR OPTIONS," editorial in the December 4 HINDUSTAN 
Hindi daily: "How can one ignore the endless attacks 
across the border. It is such a proxy war, which has the 
same motive as a war has. The only difference is that it 
is killing the common man. But, this is not the time to 
lose temper because war can never be a solution to any 
problem... In fact, this is the right time to fight the 
diplomatic war with Pakistan. The entire world is in 
favor of India. The international community also believes 
that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism. This is the 
perfect time for stepping-up pressure on Pakistan at the 
international level to make its institutions end their 
relations with the terrorists. The ways of sending money 
to the terrorist organizations could be blocked. Only the 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  004 OF 008 
 
 
diplomatic assertiveness can be the best and the mosteffective answer to a proxy war." 
 
¶10. "DIPLOMATIC WEAKNESS," editorial in the December 4 
DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "There is no doubt that 
India's first step toward increasing pressure on Pakistan 
has failed and India itself is also responsible for this 
to a certain extent. It should know that Pakistan would 
not agree to hand over India's most wanted terrorists. At 
least the strategists should know that the media should 
not be used for such sensitive issues. Now India should 
ensure that its next step is productive because the 
nation is not in a mood to wait. It should inspire the 
international community to deal with Pakistan, which has 
become a threat not just for South Asia but for the 
entire world, without any further delay. It should ask 
the United Nations to get active. India should not 
hesitate in taking any possible measure, except for the 
war, to bring Pakistan on the right track." 
 
¶11. "AMERICA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO INTERFERE", 
editorial in the December 5 right-of-center Urdu daily 
"SIASAT", Hyderabad: "What is happening in India is most 
condemnable, but India has complete ability and power to 
tackle the situation. In such a situation, visits by 
American and British investigating agencies and their suo 
motu investigations are extremely uncalled for. It is a 
sort of intervention in the internal affairs of India. 
Followed by aforesaid investigating teams, Secretary of 
State, Condoleezza Rice too came to India on the 
direction of President George Bush. There are 
apprehensions that America wants to exploit the 
situation, and accomplish its vested interests in the 
name of sympathy to Indian people. This is most 
condemnable strategy. It is the responsibility of India 
to disallow America to interfere in the internal matters 
of India. It should not allow America, when India, 
itself, can make a position amongst the nations of the 
world. However, if foreign agencies are allowed to 
interfere in the ongoing investigations, it may 
discourage the national investigation and security 
agencies. It is extremely unfavorable to the nation." 
 
¶12. "PAKISTAN, AMERICA AND INDIA", editorial in the 
December 5 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS, 
New Delhi: "God forbid, lest America is playing any dual 
role. History of western imperialism is full of its dual 
roles. Standing on the debris of British imperialism, the 
democratic sultanate of America seems toeing the lines of 
erstwhile Great Britain. Our leaders should not be 
ignorant of any aspect of the prevailing situation. At 
this moment, we would like to request our government to 
share with the U.S., the concrete evidences, if any, so 
that the latter stops supporting its old friend rather 
apple of its eyes. Nevertheless, ever-growing madness of 
media trial should also be stopped simultaneously. We 
should teach a lesson to Pakistan so that it may not even 
think of committing acts of terrorism in future. We 
should also make our security arrangements 
insurmountable. Political leaders are free to do anything 
to conceal their drawbacks but they should not, at least, 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  005 OF 008 
 
 
play havoc with the nation's security. If you want to 
teach Pakistan a lesson, take practical initiatives. For 
God's sake, stop fanning useless tension, and exploiting 
people's sentiments by verbosity on media. We believe 
that the government will exercise wisdom, vision and 
diligence." 
 
¶13. "AMERICA'S CLEAN CHIT TO PAKISTAN", editorial in the 
December 4 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", 
Mumbai: "Now, America too, stood in defense of Pakistan. 
On Tuesday, White House spokesperson, while talking to 
press reporters, said that Pakistan is not involved in 
terrorist activities in Mumbai. We want to say only this 
much, if the Indian government has concrete evidences in 
respect of its claims, it should share them with America 
so that it stops defending and supporting Pakistan. 
However, if Pakistan is found guilty, many options are 
open. First, efforts should be made to drag Pakistan to 
the International Court of Justice; secondly, it should 
be taught a lesson by an attack like that of the USA. We 
should like to say that government is free to do anything 
but it should stop vilification media propaganda against 
Muslim in the name of anti-terrorism initiatives. 
Thirdly, we believe that the Indian government will act 
diligently in this regard." 
 
¶14. "LOOKING AT AMERICA," editorial in the December 5 CPI 
(M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. 
"Communicating India's stand to the visiting U.S. 
SecState Rice implies that Delhi expects Washington to 
sustain its pressure on Pakistan. Delhi has bowed to 
Rice's strategy of insuring India's dependence on the 
U.S. on foreign policy issues. The U.S. has gotten a 
chance of exercising its big brotherly attitude in the 
midst of exchanges of arguments and counterarguments by 
India and Pakistan. But why should India become reliant 
on the U.S.? Why does India invoke a single country - the 
U.S. - in countering terrorism? Is the U.S. larger than 
the UN? Is it more powerful than the Security Council? 
 
¶15. "HALF CITIZENS' FULL PATRIOTISM," editorial-page 
article in the December 5 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI 
Bengali daily, Kolkata by Gautam Deb, West Bengal 
Minister of Housing and Public Health Engineering. "A 
competition has started in India to arouse a sense of 
nationalism and patriotism. People are trying to show off 
how anti-Pakistan they are! This is happening at a time 
especially when assembly elections are going on in six 
states and parliamentary elections are round the corner. 
Most of the media houses in India are not in the hands of 
reputed businessmen. These are run by mafia-like traders. 
They spend a few months every year in other countries. 
Their newspapers or television channels are more active 
in creating an aggressive attitude among people than to 
disseminate news. They are doling out baseless news. No 
language is enough to denounce the terror attacks in 
Mumbai. But consequences will be dangerous if some forces 
play with fire in this subcontinent. A tiny candle of 
democracy is burning in Pakistan. Whose hands woud be 
strengthened if that too is put out?" 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  006 OF 008 
 
 
¶16. "NOT WORTHY OF A NEIGHBOR," editorial in the December 
5 left-of-center Kolkata Bengali daily, SAMBAD PRATIDIN. 
"Let India-baiting across Pakistan be stopped. The 
neighboring country must take stern action against those 
who desecrated the Indian flag in Islamabad. How do anti- 
Indian organizations pursue their activities right in 
front of the Pakistani administration? It is now an 
established fact that terrorists involved in the Mumbai 
carnage had hatched the conspiracy on the Pakistani soil. 
People of India never want another war. Rather, they want 
peace. But that should not be construed as India's 
weakness. India will not continue to tolerate proxy-war 
from Pakistan. India has rightly communicated this 
message to Secretary of State Rice." 
 
¶17. "PAKISTAN SHOULD NOT BE LEFT SCOT FREE," editorial in 
the December 5 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali daily, BARTAMAN. 
"Secretary of State Rice rushed to Delhi by curtailing 
her Europe trip only to restrain India from going to war 
against Pakistan. However, the way Pakistan rigidly 
sticks to its stand on the terrorist issue makes it 
uncertain how long the Indo-Pak relationship will remain 
in good spirit. India wants the U.S. to compel Pakistan 
into crushing terrorist training camps in the PoK. But 
the course of events indicates that America's any gentle 
advice to Pakistan will not do. On several earlier 
occasions too America had restrained Pakistan and India 
but that did not yield any positive result ultimately. 
Now the Taliban has also started threatening India. Will 
India and the U.S. remain inert even after this?" 
 
--------- 
TERRORISM 
--------- 
 
¶18. "CAN TERRORISM BE CRUSHED?"  editorial in the 
December 5 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily 
GUJARAT SAMACHAR.  "It's not impossible to put an end to 
terrorism.  There are examples galore that convey how 
this menace can be dealt with determination.  America 
freed Afghanistan from the clutches of the Taliban.  The 
Sri Lankan army is fighting tooth and nail against the 
LTTE.  Bhutan and Bangladesh are too taking punitive 
measures against terrorism or terrorists.  Even China 
gunned down elements that could have fomented trouble 
during the last Olympics there....  What we rather our 
leaders need to learn is that terrorism can be crushed if 
there is a strong political will.  How ever it is 
embarrassing for us to state that our political masters 
have become mute spectators to the endless barbarism 
inflicted by terrorists on the citizens.  It is no doubt 
then that our politicians have lost all the confidence of 
the citizenry." 
 
---------------------- 
IRAQ/STATEMENT OF BUSH 
---------------------- 
 
¶19. "REPENTENCE BY BUSH", editorial in the December 4 
right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New 
Delhi: "American President George Bush has, at last, 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  007 OF 008 
 
 
admitted that he had attacked Iraq on the basis of 
erroneous information. He also expressed his grief. The 
world community was bewildered over his audacity. Is it 
the same Bush, who attacked Iraq ignoring the resolutions 
of the Security Council, and brushing off reports 
submitted by the investigators? During his eight-year 
tenure, the world reeled under unparalleled restlessness, 
chaos, uncertainty and confusion. On 20th January 2009, he 
will be out of power gallery. His popularity graph 
touched its nadir, where he is seen as a villain instead 
of a hero. He is a target of all round condemnation for 
two reasons. First Iraq incursion, and secondly the 
financial crisis and economic recession throughout the 
world. His admission, in fact, is a confession of crimes, 
he committed, for which he should be prosecuted before 
the International Court of Justice. But who is going to 
prosecute him like Milosevic Slobodan? It is the high 
time, when the world community should envisage a concrete 
line of action in this regard, otherwise, in future 
America and its allies will target another country like 
Iraq and Afghanistan, and then any Bush, once again, will 
try to clean stains of blood from his sleeves by saying 
"I AM VERY SORRY"." 
 
¶20. "ADMISSION BY BUSH", editorial in the December 4 
right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: 
"Shamelessly, President George Bush admitted that other 
countries and members of Congress, who supported Iraq 
war, are also responsible for the failure of his 
administration. George Bush tried to alienate Muslim 
countries from the development and progress of the world. 
His self-confession, now, is the result of defeat and 
dishonor given to him by his people. Question is whether 
international courts of war crimes and legal luminaries 
will take any notice of Bush's confession? Whether he 
will be apprehended as a war crime and be prosecuted? It 
is a genuine case against him in the light of Geneva 
Convention. International laws are framed to such rulers, 
who become enemies of humanity by unjust use of their 
powers. George Bush is personally responsible for 
horrible wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and genocides 
therein. It is an implicit case of aggression prima 
facie. He plundered not only the world peace but also 
American economy. His successor will have to compensate 
his wrongs." 
 
¶21. "BLUNDERS OF PRESIDENT BUSH", editorial in the 
December 4 right-of- centre Urdu daily "MUNSIF", 
Hyderabad: "The entire tenure of Bush is full of his 
incessant wrongs and misdeeds. No historian (even if he 
is an American) will exonerate him for his horrendous 
crimes. War against Iraq was a pre-conceived plan and 
Zionists joined hands in hatching conspiracies against 
Iraq. He waged a war against the Islamic world under the 
guise of war on terrorism. George Bush kept doing such 
activities in order to appease the Jewish lobby, which 
has extraordinary influence over the President as well as 
the American administration. And he, ultimately, paved 
the way for American economy disaster. Now, at the 
departure from the power gallery, if he is desirous to 
make his image better, he should confess all his 
 
NEW DELHI 00003071  008 OF 008 
 
 
misdeeds. First of all, he should refute the imaginary 
terrorism of al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden vis a vis 9/11 
incident. He should seek apology from the people of 
Sudan, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. He should also 
confess his acts of terrorism in order to defame the 
Muslim community. Only then the world may think to 
exonerate him." 
MULFORD