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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 NEW DELHI 003152 
 
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: INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS, GLOBAL 
FINANCIAL CRISIS; NEW DELHI - DECEMBER 13-15, 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." 
 
------------------------ 
INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS 
------------------------ 
 
¶1. "PAKISTAN AT ITS DECEIVING BEST," op-ed article in 
December 14 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by security affairs 
specialist K. Subrahmanyam: "In the name of action, 
Pakistan has rounded up a handful of Lashkar-e-Taiba 
terrorists. This is out of  fear that U.S. may declare 
Pakistan terrorist-sponsor nation. Pakistan is neither 
honest nor serious about acting tough against terrorists... 
The fresh militant attack on NATO supply route is 
Pakistan's clear massage that it is in a position to 
blackmail U.S. and NATO nations. U.S. has become totally 
dependent on Pakistan for its supply route for US and 
Western forces battling in Afghanistan due to its 
tenacious attitude on Iran issue and the dispute with 
Russia on Georgia and ballistic missile defense issues. 
U.S. should not expect a big achievement till it gets 
free from its dependence on Pakistan by striking balance 
with Moscow and Tehran. Pakistan can also adopt the 
strategy of continuing getting U.S. aid and also 
intensifying attacks on the supplies for Western troops 
to such extent that they are forced to leave Afghanistan. 
And if U.S. loses in Afghanistan, it will be the Jihadis' 
victory and the entire world will have to bear its 
consequences." 
 
¶2. "IMPORTANT INITIATIVE OF SECURITY COUNCIL," editorial 
in December 13 DAINIK BHASKAR daily: "It is clear from 
the United Nations Security Council's blacklisting 
Jamaat-ud-Dawa that the world backs India's argument that 
this organization and Lashkar-e-Taiba have the same 
roots. The important thing is that the irrefutable 
evidences presented by India and U.S. this time forced 
even China, which blocked the proposal in the past, to 
support it. But, it is noteworthy that Pakistan's action 
against terrorists is temporary... And this kind of groups 
restarts their activities changing name and place. U.S. 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the 
situation is pretty dangerous and Pakistan needs to act 
urgently. It is true that India's arguments and facts 
were taken seriously also because of the Bush 
Administration's activeness on this issue. After the ban 
now the terrorist training camps and the Madrasas, in the 
name of the charity, teaching to change the World from 
darul-harb to darul-Islam, running in Pakistan should be 
actually stopped." 
 
¶3. "JOINT INITIATIVE," editorial in December 12 HINDUSTAN 
Hindi daily: "India wanted the United Nations Security 
Council to declare Jamaat-ud-Dawa a terrorist 
organisation and it has done it. India's getting this 
kind of international backing is not a small thing. 
 
NEW DELHI 00003152  002 OF 005 
 
 
Pakistan government may pretentiously freeze JuD assets 
and house arrest its leaders. It is necessary to carry 
forward the big UN success and this international 
pressure because the ISI and the rest of the terrorists 
have learnt to live with such UNSC bans... The whole world 
recognized that Pakistan is exporting terror. This 
proposal was presented twice earlier in the council, but 
China blocked it. This time also it, initially, opposed 
it, but it had to change its stance in the wake of the 
strong international pressure. Now it is time to plan the 
next strategy that how to use this embargo to mount 
pressure on Pakistan and to destroy this terror-export- 
processing zone." 
 
¶4. "THE PRICE OF FREEDOM-I" editorial in December 15 
Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.  "... The 
Pakistani media by bringing to the fore the confessions 
of Amir Kasav has reestablished...an essential truth. 
There is no alternative to an open media in the parlance 
of democratic practices.  How the Pakistani government 
faces trouble following the statement of Amir is just one 
side of the event.  On the other side is the truth coming 
to light as a result of the confession, which is hard, 
unpalatable, but that doesn't mean democracy can ignore 
it... This is the job of the media, as well as its 
responsibility.  What has been accomplished by the 
Pakistani media in the face of an extremely difficult 
situation commands appreciation...." 
 
¶5. "THE PRICE OF FREEDOM-II" editorial in December 15 
Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"...Thanks to an active media the nationwide reaction of 
the common man, and the government of India as well, 
causing a shake up with issues related to defense, 
security and administration, is evident... Under these 
circumstances proposals to clip the wings of the media 
are dangerous... Even if it is assumed that live telecasts 
may have indirectly helped the terrorists, framing of 
legislation against the freedom of the media cannot be 
supported.  This is not a question of practical benefits 
and difficulties but of democratic morality...." 
 
¶6. "PAKISTANI DUPLICITY," editorial in December 15 Left- 
of-center Kolkata Bengali daily SAMBAD PRATIDIN.  "That 
Pakistan has not been doing what it says is no surprise... 
It is under international pressure and the clear 
directive of the UN that Pakistan has been compelled to 
ban...Jamat-ud-Dawa... But, despite this ban and the arrest 
of some terrorist leaders, doubts will remain about 
Pakistan's sincerity to curb terrorism.  Therefore, the 
government of India should never back out from its demand 
to have Dawood Ibrahim and other convicted terrorists 
extradited for trial in India.  New Delhi must take a 
hard stand despite the U.S. Government's indirect efforts 
of mediation...." 
 
¶7. "TERRORIST ATTACKS STILL THREATEN INDIA AND WEST 
BENGAL" editorial in December 15 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali 
BARTAMAN. 
"Pakistan's...Lashkar-e-Toiba is again hatching a plan for 
spilling blood on Indian soil... Kolkata as well as West 
 
NEW DELHI 00003152  003 OF 005 
 
 
Bengal faces a greater danger, for the Harkat-ul-Jihadi 
Islami (HUJI) of Bangladesh is also targmting Kolkata and 
West Bengal... Both receive arms and financial aid from 
Pakistan's ISI...  That the Home Minister P. Chidambaram is 
not remaining indifferent to these threats is a relief... 
Practically, because of (Shivraj) Patil's inefficiency ... 
fundamentalist terrorist organizations like Jaish and 
Lashkar have been able to cause genocide in different 
parts of India in recent years.  Chidambaram, so far, 
could be regarded as sincere in curbing terrorism...." 
 
 
¶8. "PRESSURE ON PAKISTAN: THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE FOR 
NOW" op-ed article by columnist Suresh Bhatevara in the 
December 15, 2008, Mumbai edition of left-of-center 
Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES.  "Thankfully, the ruling 
coalition and the opposition parties in India seem united 
against Pakistan. For the first time, all the political 
outfits in the Indian parliament have unanimously, and 
without mincing words, directly blamed Pakistan for the 
Mumbai terror attacks. The resolution to this effect that 
was passed in the ongoing parliament session, speaks of 
the general united mood against the neighboring country. 
While some members of parliament did raise the issue of a 
direct war against Pakistan, foreign affairs minister 
said that war is not the solution to the problem...  The 
moot point to be asked here is why does India always 
finds itself tied down to a limited set of solutions in 
its counter-terrorism efforts? Why can't it think 
radically like the U.S. did in case of Iraq and 
Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks...  India's dilemma 
stems from the fact that Pakistan has many faces and 
facets. While the ISI dominates Pakistan, one cannot rule 
out the existence of liberal peace-loving Pakistanis as 
well. It is therefore all the more difficult for India to 
pin down the neighbor. One wrong miscalculated military 
attack against the Jehadi elements can make life murkier 
in India. Worse is the fact that Western countries will 
not support India in that worst-case scenario...." 
Similar editorial appeared in centrist daily SAKAAL of 
December 15, 2008. 
 
¶9. "EVIDENCE IS IN PAKISTAN ITSELF"  editorial in the 
December 15, 2008 Mumbai-based right-of-center Gujarati 
daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.  "The father of a lone surviving 
terrorist involved in the Mumbai terror plot has 
confessed that Ajmal Kasab is his son.  Until now, 
Pakistan was in a denial mode and was pressing for hard 
proof against all those involved in this dastardly 
attack.  Now should India provide a photocopy of ration 
card or an electoral list carrying Ajmal Kasab's name? 
What more proof does Pakistan need than Kasab's own 
family recognizing him?...  In its 61 years of existence, 
Pakistan has achieved nothing except nurturing vengeance 
and ill-will against India....  Pakistan is on the brink of 
being a failed state.  It has become a danger spot for 
the global community....  India and Pakistan are two 
independent nations.  However, where does Pakistan stand 
vis-`-vis its credibility and what is its future is a 
matter of serious analysis...." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00003152  004 OF 005 
 
 
¶10. "TAKE STEPS WITHIN"  editorial in the December 13, 
2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT 
SAMACHAR.  "The people of India are now sick of hearing 
war cries [against Pakistan].  What concerns them is what 
restricts the government of the day to take punitive 
action against those providing logistical support to 
terrorists within India?  Infiltration across the border, 
sleeper cells, underworld operatives and pro-Pakistani 
elements are on the rise and expanding their network with 
impunity.  Waging war with Pakistan will not yield the 
desired results until the enemy within is identified and 
exterminated...." 
 
¶11. "MERE RESOLUTIONS WON'T HELP; NEED FOR CONCRETE 
ACTION"  editorial in the December 13, 2008 Mumbai-based 
centrist Gujarati daily evening newspaper JANMABHOOMI. 
"The Indian parliament unanimously passed a resolution 
conveying its resolute commitment to crush any activity, 
like the one witnessed in Mumbai, that threatens India's 
unity and integrity.  The nation which has been the 
victim of terrorism for five decades has displayed a firm 
resolve to take the bull by the horns vis-`-vis 
terrorism.  In other words, the Indian parliament has 
issued a stern warning to Pakistan that if compelled 
India won't hesitate to initiate military action against 
Pakistan....  However, looking at present circumstances, 
war doesn't seem to be a valid option.  What India should 
do is pressure the international community to compel 
Pakistan to dismantle terrorists' training camps 
operating in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir....  If these 
diplomatic efforts fail only then should India consider 
the option of hot pursuit against Pakistan....  In the 
meantime, India should focus on strengthening its 
internal security apparatus, ensuring that such macabre 
incidents do not occur in the future." 
 
----------------------- 
GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS 
----------------------- 
 
¶12. "NEED FOR A NEW FINANCIAL SYSTEM", editorial in 
December 13, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN 
EXPRESS", New Delhi: "The greatest religious leader of 
Christiandom, Pope Benedict, at last said the present 
economic system is selfish and injudicious. This is what 
religious leaders of Islam have been sermonizing for the 
last one and a half millennia. No need to explain that 
the system, which the Pope is cursing, is the prevalent 
interest system. The question is, why doesn't the Pope 
specify that the economic system based on interest and 
interest-based trade and business is erroneous. No real 
peace will be established unless and until this 
exploitative financial system comes to an end. Long ago, 
Islam declared interest as unlawful. Muslims tried to 
eradicate this menace in order to save the poor and needy 
from exploitation. A large chunk of Muslim economists 
are, even today, making all out efforts to eradicate the 
curse of interest. American President George Bush and 
other world political and economic leaders are adamant 
that the world needs no new economic system. Think, once 
again, of a solution to the problem. How can the world 
 
NEW DELHI 00003152  005 OF 005 
 
 
get rid of it?" 
 
¶13. "PEOPLE'S VOICE", editorial in December 12, 2008 
right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: 
"Economists agree that a new financial system is needed 
most to thwart the prevailing financial crisis. On the 
other hand, the Zionist lobby and the American leader, 
George W. Bush, are in favor of a recharged edition of a 
60 year old system based on the IMF, World Bank and WTO. 
In fact, the world needs a new financial system, which 
must be completely devoid of interest, and reservations 
for elite classes. At present, only one such system is 
available: the Islamic economic system, which is free 
from the menace of interest. The economic crisis is so 
tremendous that it can subvert the super power status of 
America. According to predictions given by experts, 
America's downfall shall be completed between 2011 and 
¶2020. Fareed Zakariya, editor of Newsweek, accepted in 
ambiguous words that the American economy is depending 
upon the wealth of China and Saudi Arabia. Yes, it is 
true that the American Titanic would be inundated if 
either of the aforesaid two countries withdraws its 
support to America." 
MULFORD