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P 191027Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4781
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9198
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RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003191 
 
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, 
TERRORISM / MUMBAI ATTACKS, IRAQ; 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." 
 
------------------------ 
INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS 
------------------------ 
 
¶01. "DILIGENCE OF INDO-PAK LEADERSHIPS", editorial in 
December 18, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA 
SAHARA", New Delhi: "Statements from Indo-Pak 
leaderships, regarding rejection of any possibility of 
war between the two countries, are a matter of 
satisfaction for those circles worrying about possible 
war between two South Asian nuclear powers. This time the 
Indian government, demonstrating extreme patience and 
sagacity, avoided any steps which might lead to war. 
Destructive elements active in Pakistan committed some 
mischief, which might have turned the prevailing tension 
into clashes, but perceiving the sensitive situation the 
world community rose to the occasion and pressured 
Pakistan through diplomatic channels to take action 
against mischievous elements within Pakistan. There was a 
real fear these destructive elements might take advantage 
of the tense war-like situation. Even today, the 
possibility of war plays into the hands of those elements 
which gain most from mutual clashes. Now, it is the 
responsibility of Pakistan to open its eyes and take 
concrete action against extremists active in its land." 
 
-------------------------- 
TERRORISM / MUMBAI ATTACKS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶02. "STRICT ACTION AGAINST TERROR," editorial in December 
18 centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "The steps being 
taken by the Indian government to tackle terrorism are 
welcome. The setting up of the National Investigation 
Agency and strengthening of the Unlawful Activities 
(Prevention) Act will go a long way toward containing 
terrorism. Initially the UPA government was hesitant on 
setting up the federal agency, in deference to Muslim 
sensitivities. The Muslim community reacted strongly this 
time against the Mumbai terror attacks. The resentment 
among the people made the government realize that if it 
does not take effective measures it will lose its 
credibility. Finally, the NIA is now set to be 
established. It was pending for a long time, because the 
states were a major impediment.  Under no circumstances 
should the terror laws be misused, however." 
 
¶03. "POSITIVE MUSLIM REACTION," column in December 18 
right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by Mahip Singh: 
"The resentment among the people against the 26 November 
Mumbai terror and the reaction of India's Muslim 
community abhorring the incident is significant. They 
called it an un-Islamic act and demanded strong action 
against Pakistan. The Mumbai Muslim Council even refused 
 
NEW DELHI 00003191  002 OF 002 
 
 
to bury the bodies of the terrorists. India's Muslims 
have openly come out this time and want to show that they 
are united with the nation in this critical time. It is a 
matter of vital concern that the terrorists take great 
pride in calling it a jihad. If Muslim religious 
institutions in India raise their voice against these 
non-religious acts executed in the name of the religion, 
terrorism can be fought very effectively in this 
country." 
 
¶04. "NOW `FORCE ONE' FOR MUMBAI" editorial in the 
December 19, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi 
daily LOKMAT.  "The idea of Force One, an elite commando 
unit being set up in the aftermath of 26/11, is welcome. 
Mumbai will soon have a commando force to tackle urban 
terrorism of the kind it witnessed recently. Much along 
the lines of the National Security Guard, Force One is to 
be peopled primarily by Short Service Commission Officers 
of the Indian Army. While such a force will exclusively 
battle terrorists, Mumbai can become a safer place only 
when these commandos get favorable anti-terror security 
infrastructure in the city. Mumbai needs efficient 
special courts which will try the captured terrorists. 
Also, security along the city's coasts needs to be 
stepped up. While the new force needs attention, even 
other police stations need to be upgraded in terms of 
manpower, vehicles and armed constables. Only then can we 
expect a well-coordinated urban combat response..." 
 
---- 
IRAQ 
---- 
 
¶05. "IRAQI SHOE AND RESENTMENT OF THE OPPRESSED" 
editorial in December 17 Guwahati Assamese independent 
DAINIK JANASADHARAN.  "...The 'shooing' incident is nothing 
but a display of the Iraqi peoples' growing resentment 
against the Bush Administration... America's Iraq policy 
has made the country a big threat to world peace... and 
Washington has deliberately ignored the fact for its own 
economic gain.  If Mantezar's shoe wakes up Washington 
from its slumber, then there will be noticeable progress 
in the war against Islamic terrorism.  It may also be a 
good lesson for President-elect Obama to learn." 
MULFORD