O 201112Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1078
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 
USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 
THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000122 
 
 
CAPTIONS: SIPDIs 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 17-20, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports of Pakistan FM Qureshi and Interior Advisor 
Malik's joint briefing to foreign diplomats "seeking world support 
to persuade India for the resumption of Indo-Pak peace process 
stalled in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks," dominated headlines in 
all newspapers on Tuesday.  "Historic inauguration of the first U.S. 
black-American President Barack Obama will be celebrated today 
(Tuesday)" was also page one fare in all newspapers. Two Urdu 
newspapers "Ausaf" and "Jinnah" also published a special edition on 
President-elect Obama's inauguration.  In addition, several major 
dailies reported "U.S. CENTCOM General Petraeus would arrive in 
Islamabad today (Tuesday) on a two-day visit." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the "historic" inauguration of 
the U.S. President-elect Obama, and the world's "hopes and 
expectations" from him as President of the U.S.  The English daily, 
"Dawn," noted that "a black man, who at the time of his birth was a 
distinctly second-class American, will ascend the most powerful 
office in the world that will make today's events such compelling 
viewing."  The center-right English daily, "The Nation," observed 
that the President's agenda must include "measures to cope with 
global warming and help make the world a more peaceful place by 
cutting down defense spending on unrealistic military schemes." 
Toeing the line, the Urdu daily, "Express," noted that the world 
expects "President Obama will review President Bush's war-mongering 
policies and will help bring peace to the world."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Pakistan Seeks World Support" "The Nation" (01/20) 
 
"Pakistan has urged the international community to persuade India 
for the resumption of Indo-Pak peace process stalled in the 
aftermath of Mumbai attacks.  A briefing for the Ambassadors of 
different countries including United States, European nations as 
well as Asian and African states based in Islamabad was held in the 
Foreign Office on Monday.  The briefing arranged to inform the 
Ambassadors about measures taken by Pakistan to investigate the 
Mumbai attacks was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi 
and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik." 
 
"Adventurism To Get Firm Reply" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"Pakistan has cautioned the world that it will befittingly retaliate 
against any Indian military adventurism.  According to sources, 
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said at a briefing for Foreign 
Ambassadors on Monday that Pakistan would act in 'self-defence' if 
there was any action by the Indian side....  Prime Minister's 
Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik informed the envoys about 
the 'concrete steps' taken by the authorities, including detention 
of suspects, launching a formal inquiry and constituting an FIA team 
comprising experts of the Special Investigation Group." 
 
"Investigation Will Be Transparent, India Assured" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"Pakistan on Monday reassured India that it would conduct a 
transparent investigation on 'information' about the Mumbai attack 
and said that defeating terrorists was its top priority.  Renewing 
the government's determination to make use of all resources for 
national defence, it urged NATO forces to stop drone attacks in 
tribal areas which were counter-productive.  President Asif Ali 
Zardari in separate meetings with Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez 
Kayani....  The president said Pakistan's response would be positive 
if India acted positively on its offer for joint efforts to track 
down terrorists." 
 
"More Proof Of Mumbai Attacks Sought" "The News" (01/20) 
 
"Reaffirming its firm stance to wipe out the menace of terrorism and 
extremism, Adviser to the PM on Interior Rehman Malik on Monday 
underlined that India must give more proofs to Pakistan on the 
Mumbai attacks.  Rehman Malik expressed these views while talking to 
reporters on Monday after meeting Indian High Commissioner 
Satyabrata Pal in Islamabad." 
 
"India Keeps Up Pressure On Pakistan Over Mumbai" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"India's foreign minister, keeping up pressure on Pakistan to act 
against militants blamed for the Mumbai attacks, said on Monday that 
countries failing to clamp down on terrorism would pay a heavy 
price, Pranab Mukherjee told a conference." 
 
"Obama Takes Over U.S. Presidency Today" "The Nation" (01/20) 
 
"The historic inauguration of Barack Obama, the first black-American 
President of the U.S., will be celebrated on Tuesday (today) in a 
number of events featuring the virtual who's who of the 
entertainment and glamour world.  Barack Obama will enter the White 
House with a crushing burden of expectations both at home and 
abroad.  How he manages those expectations will go a long way to 
defining his presidency." 
 
"Lashkar Offers To Put Down Arms In Held Kashmir" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"In a move clearly timed to coincide with the inauguration of a new 
American administration, the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Jammu and Kashmir 
was reported on Monday to have offered to shun its armed campaign 
for justice if the international community would help peacefully 
resolve the bloody dispute dogging the Himalayan region for 
decades." 
 
"U.S. CENTCOM Chief Arrives For 2-Day Visit Today" "Daily Times" 
(01/20) 
 
"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Chief General David Petraeus will 
arrive in Islamabad today (Tuesday), on a two-day visit to help 
defuse India-Pakistan military tensions and discuss cooperation in 
the on-going war on terror." 
 
"Drone Attacks No Solution To End Terror: Gilani" "The Nation" 
(01/20) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the U.S. and NATO 
countries instead of resorting to drone attacks should strengthen 
the mechanism of intelligence sharing and assist Pakistan in 
building the capacity of its defense and law enforcement agencies to 
help in effectively confronting the extremists and terrorists. The 
Prime Minister was talking to U.K. Secretary of State for Defence 
John Hutton, who called on him in Islamabad at the PM House on 
Monday." 
 
"Pakistan, U.K. For Long-Term Afghan Strategy" "The News" (01/20) 
 
"Pakistan and Britain have agreed that there is an urgent need for 
long-term strategy on Afghanistan with close cooperation among 
Afghanistan's neighbors and friends.  This understanding came during 
a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and British 
Minister for Defence John Hutton at the Foreign Office in Islamabad 
on Monday....  Hutton expressed satisfaction over the level of 
defence cooperation between the two countries and assured the 
Foreign Minister of the continued support of the U.K. to help 
Pakistan enhance its capacity in the fight against extremism and 
terrorism. He agreed with the foreign minister on the need for a 
long-term strategy on Afghanistan with close cooperation among 
Afghanistan's neighbors and friends." 
 
"NATO Urges Allies To Follow Obama's Afghan Lead" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"NATO members need to follow the U.S. lead in boosting their 
commitment to the fight against militants in Afghanistan, the 
alliance's Chief said in Brussels on Monday, the eve of Barack 
Obama's inauguration as U.S. President.  'The year 2009 will see an 
infusion of United States forces in this operation,' NATO 
secretary-general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a news briefing. 
 
"NATO Chief Due Tomorrow To Discuss Regional Tension" "The Nation" 
(01/20) 
 
"NATO's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will arrive in 
Islamabad on Wednesday (tomorrow) on a three-day visit to discuss 
the Indo-Pak stand-off and ongoing war on terror with top Pakistani 
leadership." 
 
"Foreign Office Stops U.S. Consul General Karachi From Performing 
Duties?" "Nawa-i-Waqt" (01/20) 
 
"Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stopped the U.S. 
Consul General in Karachi Stephen Fakan from discharging his duties 
on indulging in activities contrary to diplomatic norms.  According 
to sources in MFA, the U.S. Government has sent the Consul General 
Stephen Fakan without any confirmation from the Government of 
Pakistan.  Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stopped 
him from discharging his duties by terming this act as violation of 
the diplomatic protocol.  Consequently, Mr. Stephen Fakan is 
confined to (the U.S.) Consulate in Karachi.   He isn't permitted to 
engage in diplomatic activities.  He sought to meet the Deputy Chief 
of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Karachi two or 
three times, but the Pakistani officials refused to meet him. 
 
"U.S. Newspaper Publishes Anti-Muslim Cartoon To Hurt Feelings Of 
Muslims" "Nawa-i-Waqt" (01/20) 
 
"American media once again has started propaganda against Muslims. 
The New York Post has published cartoon which shows birds trying to 
make suicide attack on plane while uttering 'Allah Akbar' (God is 
Great). The cartoonist has tried to say that these birds belong to 
Al-Qaeda. It may be mentioned here that The New York Post is 
notorious for publishing anti-Muslim propaganda; Pakistani community 
has boycotted this newspaper in protest." 
 
"PM Seeks Political Solution To Swat Militancy" "The Nation" 
(01/20) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday assured the National 
Assembly that the government was seeking a political solution to the 
militancy in Swat." 
 
"Five More Schools Blown Up In Swat" "The News" (01/20) 
 
"Suspected militants blew up five schools, including two girls, in 
Mingora city overnight while the deputy chief of Swat militants 
threatened the editor and staff of a local newspaper with action for 
publishing a story against them.  Also, a convoy of security forces 
was attacked with improvised explosive device (IED) in Shin area, 
but no casualty was reported in the incident." 
 
"Militant Attack Briefly Affects NATO Supplies" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"Militants attacked an army camp on late Sunday night, killing one 
soldier and injuring dozens others and causing closure of the 
Peshawar-Torkham highway, a NATO supply route, for some time." 
 
"FC Man Killed In Militants Rocket Attacks" "The Nation" (01/20) 
 
"Militants fired rockets on the cantonment area in Landi Kotal in 
the wee hours of Monday morning, killing a Frontier Constabulary 
(FC) soldier and injuring 14 others, officials said." 
 
"Terror, Violence Claimed 7,997 Lives In 2008: PIPS" "The News" 
(01/20) 
 
"At least 7,997 people were killed and 9,670 others sustained 
injuries in various terrorist attacks, clashes between the security 
forces and militants, military operations, incidents of political 
violence, inter-tribe sectarian clashes and border clashes during 
¶2008.  These figures were released by Pakistan Institute for Peace 
Studies (PIPS) on the basis of its annual report on Pakistan." 
 
"5,000 Houses In Gaza Reduced To Rubble" "Dawn" (01/20) 
 
"More Israeli forces left the Gaza Strip on Monday and both sides 
kept a ceasefire, allowing dazed Palestinians to survey the 
destruction and mourn their dead....  A Hamas official said 5,000 
homes, 16 government buildings and 20 mosques were destroyed and 
20,000 houses damaged." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"A New President," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (01/20) 
 
"Inauguration Day in the U.S. will be unlike any other.  Barack 
Obama's qualifications to become the 44th President of the United 
States are stellar.  Yet, it is the fact that a black man, who at 
the time of his birth was a distinctly second-class American, will 
ascend the most powerful office in the world that will make today's 
events such compelling viewing.  There are many problems with the 
U.S. and its role in the world - as the 43rd President so 
graphically demonstrated in the past eight years - but the election 
of Barack Obama is proof that democracy feeds on the promise of a 
better tomorrow.  Together with the rest of the world, we hope 
President Obama will be able to deliver on that promise." 
 
"Historic Inauguration," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/20) 
 
"The election of Mr. Barack Obama as the 44th President of the 
United States has inspired hopes and given birth to expectation not 
only in his own country, but also all over the world and for good 
reasons....  The world at large wants measures to cope with global 
warming and help make the world a more peaceful place by cutting 
down defence spending on unrealistic military schemes....   Europe 
hopes the new President would take it on board on major world 
issues, instead of acting unilaterally and expecting others to 
follow Washington obediently. Justice-loving nations in general, and 
the Muslim world in particular, want him to rein in Israel, take 
time out of the undoubtedly pressing issue of the economy, and 
expedite the agenda of creating a Palestinian state.  They also 
expect him to reconsider the U.S. policy on terrorism, which is 
centered round the use of maximum force, and has led to the killing 
of thousands of innocent people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan's 
tribal areas without bringing down the level of militancy.  In South 
Asia the unresolved issue of Kashmir awaits his attention....  In 
case he fails, he would miss a historic opportunity to improve the 
U.S. image abroad." 
 
"World's Expectations From U.S. President Barack Obama," an 
editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/20) 
 
"More than 2 million Americans will gather in Washington today to 
welcome their new President into the White House.  They will 
undoubtedly bring many hopes and expectations with them.  The world 
also expects that President Obama will review President Bush's 
war-mongering policies and will help bring peace to the world. 
There are countless expectations from Mr. Obama, let us see how many 
are fulfilled." 
 
"Hail To The Chief," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/20) 
 
"When he (Mr. Obama) hears for the first time the anthem 'Hail to 
the Chief' - and he is the Chief being hailed - he will be in sight 
of the Lincoln memorial and will probably have the words of the 
Gettysburg Address ringing in his head.  The last words of that, 
uttered by Lincoln after a bloody battle, are 'that this nation, 
under God, shall give a new birth of freedom - and that government 
of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from 
the earth.'  Would that those words were a mantra for our own 
governance.  We wish you goodwill and Godspeed Mr. Obama, you have a 
hard furrow to plough." 
 
"Obama's Oath-Taking" an editorial note in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) 
(01/20) 
 
"It would be premature to say what the Obama administration's policy 
towards Pakistan will be, but in view of his statements, it can be 
said that the new administration will certainly focus on the Kashmir 
issue....  President Zardari is also arriving in the U.S. today to 
attend Obama's oath taking.  During his meeting with President 
Obama, he should inform him about Pakistan's interests, including 
the Kashmir issue.  President Zardari should also ask him to review 
the U.S. policy on alleged terrorism so that the fire lit by the 
Bush administration in this region can be put out." 
 
"America's Worst President?," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (01/20) 
 
"President George Bush is gone today and not many people will mourn 
him.  Leave the world aside; most Americans will be relieved that he 
in no longer around....  People around the world have nothing good 
to say about him.  His supporters at home have dwindled and may have 
vanished after the economic crisis that has bankrupted the world's 
largest economy.  The economy will ultimately recover but not before 
the world has taken a few knocks from the failure of capitalism as 
presided over by the United States.  The next President, Mr. Barack 
Obama, will roll back much of what Mr. Bush has wrought, but he may 
not be able to remove all the scars remaining from the Bush years." 
 
"A Legacy Of Disaster," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/18) 
 
"George Bush was the President of the United States at a time when 
that country embarked on a global offensive against an amorphous 
enemy called terrorism.  It was none other than George Bush who 
authorized the killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians 
in a war based on lies.  It was George Bush who justified torture at 
Abu Gharib and Guantanamo Bay.  It was George Bush who felt it was 
kosher to bomb an ally such as Pakistan....  America will see the 
formal authorization of a revolution on Tuesday, when a black man 
will become president of the United States of America. Yet, despite 
all the idealism and multi-culturism at his disposal, Barack Obama 
will not change the world....  There is no indication yet that 
Barack Obama will reshape America's distorted view of the world." 
 
"Final Farewell," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/18) 
 
"Warding off political oblivion for a few more minutes, President 
George Bush delivered on Thursday night his last speech from the 
White House....  He emphasized that there had been no terrorist 
attack on U.S. soil for seven years and that the country was now a 
safer place than before.  Sadly, this is not true for the rest of 
the world.  Since 2002, there have been an increased number of 
terrorist attacks in many countries. Pakistan is just one example of 
these.  While Bush claimed that the Taliban had been vanquished in 
Afghanistan, the fact is that even six years after they were 
defeated by U.S.-led forces in that country, they remain poised to 
make a comeback. Stability has not been found in Afghanistan and the 
U.S.-propped puppet regime in Kabul enjoys almost no popular 
support. Iraq too remains in turmoil and a bloody war in the Middle 
East threatens to fuel still greater Muslim radicalism.  For most 
people, the world is less safe than it was in 2000, the year Bush 
took oath as President." 
 
"The Bush Legacy," an editorial in the center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/17) 
 
"President Bush, in his farewell speech, while defending the U.S. 
military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, harped on the same theme of 
the world being a safer place than it was before 9/11....  The 
American military adventure around the world forms a glaring example 
of state terrorism that, among other things, has weakened democracy 
contrary to the claims made by the U.S. President.  As things stand, 
the American image in the Muslim world has been badly tarnished and 
the anti-American sentiment threatens a wider conflagration.  The 
pity is that the Bush Administration did not spare Pakistan and 
resorted to the strategy of making drone attacks inside the tribal 
areas, something that has greatly destabilized the country.  The 
ongoing war in Gaza, when seen in the broader context, is yet 
another example of the U.S. trying to achieve its strategic 
objectives." 
 
"Beginning Of Rule Of Slaves In The U.S.?" an op-ed by Mehmood Sham, 
the Group Editor of the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily 
"Jang" (cir. 300,000) (01/20) 
 
"The economic meltdown of the United States will be a big challenge 
for the new U.S. President Barack Obama.  The improvement of the 
U.S. economy will be on top priority of the Obama Administration. 
The U.S. history shows that it always resorted to go for wars to 
revitalize its volatile economy, as its arms factories and other 
industries work much faster owing to growing consumption of the 
commodities during conflicts.  Let us see, whether or not Mr. Obama 
will be able to change this approach and evolve a new strategy." 
 
"Stop Forces Of Darkness And Ignorance," an editorial in the leading 
mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (01/20) 
 
"A large number of schools, colleges, hospitals, barber shops, and 
other trade centers have been destroyed in different parts of the 
NWFP in the name of Taliban.  The perpetrators opined that all those 
institutions and centers were running contrary to the teaching of 
Islam.  These acts of Taliban are a premeditated conspiracy to drive 
the country into the dark age of ignorance.  This malign drive is 
not only earning a bad name for Pakistan, but this situation is also 
very encouraging for those who are targeting Islam and Muslims 
across the world.  The government must formulate a plan of action to 
deal with this serious situation.  And all political parties, NGOs 
and religious scholars must support the government in this 
arrangement." 
 
"Account Of Dr. Aafiya In Her Own Words," an editorial in the 
popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (01/20) 
 
"All those who raise the human rights issues, or deliver long 
lectures on dignity of human beings raised a terrible hue and cry 
when the Taliban administration were implementing Shariat sentences 
in Afghanistan.  They also highlighted the issue of Mukhtaran Mai, a 
gang-rape victim, and they always review the human rights situation 
in Pakistan minutely, but they are silent over human rights 
violations in the United States." 
 
"Afghan Government And NATO's Allegations Against Each Other," an 
editorial note in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) 
(01/20) 
 
"According to a news report, the NATO Secretary General has strongly 
criticized the Afghan government's performance and termed it a 
bigger problem than the Taliban.  He also termed the Afghan 
government corrupt and inefficient.  The Afghan government responded 
by saying that the Allied forces are equally responsible for 
Afghanistan's worsening situation....  The new U.S. administration 
must ponder over these issues and take effective measures to improve 
the situation. One suggestion would be to remove the differences 
between the Afghan government and NATO, and to subsequently 
intensify the campaign against terrorism. Once the situation 
improves, foreign troops must be withdrawn immediately." 
 
"Differences Between NATO And Afghan Administration," an editorial 
note in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" 
(cir. 15,000) (01/20) 
 
"With the departure of U.S. President Bush, the cracks in the 
unnatural coalition of the Afghan Administration and NATO have also 
become quite visible.  Both are blaming each other for failure in 
Afghanistan.  NATO Secretary General while criticizing the Afghan 
government has termed it a bigger problem than even the Taliban 
menace.  In fact the NATO forces are responsible of all mess in 
Afghanistan, as they spoiled the peaceful environment of 
Afghanistan, and promised to devise a new system of government 
there.  But instead of building any infrastructure, the NATO forces 
focused on pursuing the Northern Alliance to fight against Taliban, 
and the Afghan administration played role of mercenary.  And no one 
pay heed to the administration." 
 
 
Patterson