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P 240725Z DEC 08
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003234 
 
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; NEW 
DELHI. 
 
This countrywide cable reports on relevant media 
reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. 
The Mission reports on English-language media via email 
through the daily "Early Edition" summary. 
 
------------------------ 
INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS 
------------------------ 
 
¶1. "IT IS BETTER TO EVADE WAR", editorial in the December 
22, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: 
"The most worrisome aspect of Indo-Pak imbroglio is that 
both countries are nuclear states. Both of them will be 
destroyed in the event of a nuclear war.  India's economy 
was growing at 9% annually, something already at risk due 
to the global economic recession.  If a war takes place, 
the rate of growth and development may further decline to 
3 or 4 per cent.  It means the war will be disastrous for 
India's progress and development.  Under these 
circumstances, war must be evaded at any cost." 
 
¶2. "PREFERANCE FOR DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE", editorial in the 
December 23, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", 
Hyderabad: "Pakistan is the only Islamic nuclear power in 
the world. World powers particularly United States of 
America are worried about Pakistan's nuclear weapons. If 
these weapons of mass destruction were to fall into the 
hands of terrorists active in Pakistan, it would be a 
catastrophe for the entire world, especially the West. 
From this perspective, any tension which pitches both the 
countries against each other should be avoided. A number 
of world powers are upset over emerging extremist 
elements in Pakistan.  These destructive forces are today 
making India a target, but they may target other 
countries tomorrow. Sagacious steps are most needed to 
ensure durable peace not only in Pakistan but also 
throughout the entire subcontinent.  Any sort of tension 
could bring the two nuclear states at daggers drawn.  No 
doubt, India received global moral support after Mumbai 
attacks.  It should now reciprocate by preferring 
diplomatic pressure over military action." 
 
¶3. "RATHER KIYANI IS BETTER, THINKS DELHI" front-page 
analysis by New Delhi Bureau Chief Jayanta Ghosal in the 
December 24 nationalist Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR 
PATRIKA.  "...Under the changed circumstances India has 
decided to exert pressure on the Pakistani Chief of Staff 
Parwez Kiyani.  The FBI is also extending unprecedented 
help to India...and it is clear from American intelligence 
reports that it is not only the 'non-state' actors but a 
section of the state is also involved in the Mumbai 
massacre...  India, therefore, feels that another army coup 
in Pakistan is only a matter of time. The U.S. had 
dreamed of restoring peace in Pakistan by bringing 
Benazir Bhutto's party back in power but the Pakistani 
Army-ISI combine wants to establish before the world that 
peace will not return during the Zardari regime. 
Although Zardari is taking decision on issues like loans 
from the World Bank or the IMF, Kiyani has the last word 
on other issues.  A section of the diplomatic community 
in India feels that it will rather be better for India if 
 
NEW DELHI 00003234  002 OF 002 
 
 
Kiyani totally captures power.  The Pakistani army or the 
ISI cannot be controlled through negotiations with 
Zardari but it will be easier if talks are held with 
Kiyani." 
 
¶4. "PAKISTAN'S LIMITLESS AUDACITY" editorial in the 
December 24 Kolkata Bengali pro-BJP BARTAMAN.  "... This 
time the international community has kept up its pressure 
on Pakistan ... Starting from the United States to Britain, 
France, Germany, Israel, and others have all expressed 
their annoyance with Pakistan on its handling of 
terrorism...  It is a big gain for India that attacks in 
Mumbai received such international attention... But it has 
also created a problem.  The more the international 
pressure intensifies, Islamabad's stand further turns to 
duplicity.  It is not yet clear whether this is 
intentional or a mere display of the Pakistani 
government's weakness...  On earlier occasions, India and 
for that matter, the U.S. had cautioned Pakistan against 
abetting terrorism but every time Pakistan managed to 
skirt the issue citing various excuses.  Though Pakistan 
is now facing ... attacks from the world community there 
seems be no end to Pakistan's audacity." 
MULFORD