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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 23, 2009 
 
Summary:  Washington reports: `orders for closure of Guantanamo Bay' 
and the 'nomination of Special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan,' 
dominated headlines in all newspapers on Wednesday.  Also 
front-paged were President Zardari's remarks that the government 
would hold "dialogue only with those [militants] who don't challenge 
the writ of the government."  Reports and photographs of Secretary 
Clinton's address to State Department employees also figured 
prominently.  In the Secretary's address she was quoted as stating, 
"development and diplomacy were the best tools for securing 
America's future." Her phone call to President Zardari "discussing 
bilateral ties" was also prominently reported by several dailies. 
Newspapers also highlighted the visit of NATO Secretary General 
Scheffer to Islamabad and reported him "backing Pakistan's stand on 
Mumbai attacks." 
 
Most major Urdu language dailies ran editorials on the tying in of 
"non-military assistance to Pakistan with the situation on Afghan 
borders".  The majority of editorials criticized this decision made 
by President Obama.  The second-largest Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt," 
noted that "making assistance to Pakistan conditional with its 
performance against terrorism is objectionable.  The danger of aid 
suspension on the pretext of bad performance would always persist 
while we go-ahead with the role of a mercenary."  Another Urdu 
daily, "Mashriq," observed that "as the priorities of the Obama 
Administration about Pakistan are now made clear, Islamabad must 
take urgent steps to secure its national interests instead of 
becoming dependent on the United States.  There is no need to make 
hell of our own territories for a fistful of dollars."  End Summary. 
 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Obama Orders Closure Of Guantanamo" "Dawn" (01/23) 
 
"President Barack Obama signed executive orders on Thursday to close 
the Guantanamo Bay detention centre and directed the Central 
Intelligence Agency to shut its network of secret prisons.  The 
orders rewrite rules for the detention of terrorism suspects, and 
require all U.S. personnel to follow the U.S. Army Field Manual 
while interrogating detainees.  The orders also require an immediate 
review of the 245 detainees still held at the naval base in 
Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, to determine if they should be transferred, 
released or prosecuted." 
 
"Pakistan Seeks Repatriation Of Its Nationals From Gitmo Jail" "The 
Nation" (01/23) 
 
"Pakistan on Thursday demanded repatriation of its five citizens 
being held in detention at Guantanamo Bay as the new U.S. President 
Barak Obama order to close the notorious military prison, Foreign 
Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said." 
 
"Too Little, Too Late, Says Ex-Inmate On Gitmo Closure" "The News" 
(01/23) 
 
"The closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison will do little to erase 
the blot on the U.S. rights record unless other U.S. detention 
centers are also shut and inmates compensated, Afghan and Pakistani 
campaigners said on Thursday." 
 
"Special Envoy For Afghanistan, Pakistan Named: Hillary Clinton 
Calls Zardari" "Dawn" (01/23) 
 
"Hillary Clinton, on her first day as the Secretary of State, 
telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari and told him that the Obama 
administration was appointing a special envoy for Afghanistan and 
Pakistan.  'It was a touch-base meeting,' said a senior diplomat 
aware of the conversation.  'She felt it's necessary to speak to the 
leader of a country that will continue to play a key role in the war 
against terror." 
 
"Pakistan Central In War On Terror; Obama Names Holbrooke Envoy To 
Pakistan, Afghanistan" "The Nation" (01/23) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama named special envoys for two of the 
world's hot spots: Afghanistan-Pakistan region and the Middle East. 
Obama chose former Ambassador to the United Nations Richard 
Holbrooke as a special envoy for Afghanistan, Pakistan and related 
issues....  In his brief remarks, Holbrooke said he will coordinate 
foreign assistance program in the two countries to bring coherence 
to the U.S. efforts in the region and advance the American goals." 
 
"Obama Pledges To Work Closely With Pakistan" "Daily Times" (01/23) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday vowed to work closely with 
Pakistan and deepen engagement with the people of the South Asian 
country as part of efforts to overcome security challenges along the 
Pak-Afghan border through a regional approach that will also focus 
on the creation of economic opportunities for the people of two 
countries.  'We will seek stronger partnerships with the governments 
of the region, sustain cooperation with our NATO allies, deepen 
engagement with the Afghan and Pakistani people and a comprehensive 
strategy to combat terror and extremism,' said Obama while naming 
former diplomat Richard Holbrooke as America's special 
representative for the two countries." 
 
"Dialogue Only With Those Who Don't Challenge Writ: Zardari" "Dawn" 
(01/23) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari held a series of meetings on Thursday 
with top security officials and political leaders from the NWFP on 
growing militancy in settled areas where militants are trying to 
enforce their 'self-styled' Sharia.  Two briefings on security 
issues were given by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) 
Director-General Lt-Gen Shuja Pasha and Adviser to Prime Minister on 
Interior Rehman Malik.  The President was apprised of the situation 
in Swat and other troubled areas and there was a realization that 
the government should initiate dialogue with militants who were 
ready to cooperate and would not challenge the write of the 
government in future." 
 
"Securing America's Future - Development, Diplomacy Best Tools, Says 
Hillary" "Dawn" (01/23) 
 
"Hillary Clinton took charge on Thursday of U.S. foreign policy 
proclaiming a 'new era for America' based on robust diplomacy and a 
fresh unity of purpose, a beaming Clinton told a welcoming party of 
hundreds at the State Department following her Senate confirmation 
on Wednesday as the 67th Secretary of State." 
 
"Hillary Discusses Bilateral Ties With Zardari" "Daily Times" 
(01/23) 
 
"New U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a brief 
conversation on telephone with President Asif Ali Zardari on 
Thursday, and discussed with him bilateral ties and the regional 
situation, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said." 
 
"NATO Chief Backs Pak Stand On Mumbai Attacks" "The News" (01/23) 
 
"NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Thursday expressed 
his understanding of Pakistan's stand on the Mumbai incident and 
urged both the countries to cooperate closely in the investigations. 
 
The NATO Secretary General, who was on a two-day visit to Pakistan, 
called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Thursday and 
deeply appreciated Pakistan's stand against terrorism and extremism 
and the farsighted policy adopted by the present government.  He 
expressed NATO's keen desire to augment relations with Pakistan in 
the interest of peace and stability of the region." 
 
"Drone Attacks Generating Sympathies For Terrorists: Ahmad Mukhtar" 
"The Nation" (01/23) 
 
"Pakistan's Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar on Thursday said 
that drone attacks from across the western borders were generating 
sympathies for terrorists.  He said this while talking to the 
visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who called on 
him on Thursday." 
 
"Miliband's Kashmir Remarks Reflect Obama's Plan: Report" "Dawn" 
(01/23) 
 
"Foreign Secretary David Miliband's suggestion during his recent 
visit to India that Mumbai attacks were rooted in the Kashmir 
dispute reflected the thinking of US President Barack Obama who 
plans to appoint a special envoy on South Asia, claims a report in 
'The Times' on Thursday." 
 
"U.S. Sleuths Took Part In Bara Swoop" "The News" (01/23) 
 
"For the first time since the so-called war on terror was launched 
in this part of the world, the U.S. intelligence officials 
personally participated in a raid conducted by Pakistan security 
personnel inside the lawless Khyber tribal region, said senior 
security officials on Thursday.  The raid was conducted on 
Wednesday, in which seven militants, including Saudi national and 
senior al-Qaeda operative Zabiul Taifi were arrested.  However, the 
spokesmen for the ISPR expressed ignorance about the participation 
of the American CIA operatives in the operation." 
 
"Russia And American Could Not Defeat Taliban, How Can We Do That: 
ANP Leader Bilour" "Jasarat" (01/23) 
 
"Federal Minister for Railways and senior ANP leader Ghulam Mohammad 
Bilour has said that Russia and America could not defeat Taliban, 
how can provincial government defeat Taliban, he also said that 
judiciary is more free in Pakistan than in other Muslim countries." 
 
"21 More Killed In Swat Violence" "The News" (01/23) 
 
"Twenty-one persons, including 11 militants, were killed and scores 
of others injured in the ongoing military operation and fresh 
incidents of violence while the militants blew up another school in 
the volatile Swat valley on Thursday, according to the 
Inter-Services Public Relations-run Swat Media Centre (SMC)." 
 
"Taliban Sharia Is Terrorism, Says DG ISPR" "Daily Times" (01/23) 
 
"The peace deal signed with the Taliban in Swat has provided them an 
opportunity to re-emerge in the area, and the Sharia imposed by them 
is terrorism, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director 
General (DG) Major General Athar Abbas said on Thursday." 
 
"Afghanistan, India Open Strategic Road To Iran" "Dawn" (01/23) 
 
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai and India's Foreign Minister opened a 
new road on Thursday that would help link Afghanistan with a port in 
Iran and challenge Pakistani dominance of trade routes into the 
landlocked country." 
 
"Plea For More Access To EU Markets Turned Down" "The News" (01/23) 
 
"While Pakistan is benefiting from important preferential access to 
the market of 27 member states of the European Union (EU), its 
application for even better preferential market access in hindered 
due to non-ratification of various international conventions and 
some other factors.  This was stated by the office of the delegation 
of the European Commission to Pakistan on Thursday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Non-Military Assistance To Pakistan; Withdrawal From Afghanistan - 
The Real Solution," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (01/23) 
 
"President Obama identified his priorities on the first day of his 
presidency when he decided about the closure of Guantanamo Bay 
prison.  Certainly, he would not defer withdrawal of troops from 
Iraq.  He should not wait to change Bush's policies on Pakistan, 
Afghanistan, Kashmir and Palestine....  Peace could only return to 
Afghanistan after American troops' withdrawal from that country.... 
Making assistance to Pakistan conditional with its performance 
against terrorism is objectionable.  Who will decide whether we 
deserve the assistance or not?  The danger of aid suspension on the 
pretext of bad performance would always persist while we go-ahead 
with the role of a mercenary." 
 
"U.S. Non-Military Assistance; Where Are We Standing?," an editorial 
in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/23) 
 
"As the priorities of the Obama Administration about Pakistan is now 
made clear, Islamabad must take urgent steps to secure its national 
interests instead of becoming a dependent of the United States. 
There is no need to make hell of our own territories for a fistful 
of dollars.  Time has come to abandon the policy of apologetic 
statements, so that we may dispel the perception that Pakistanis are 
mercenaries." 
 
"Coordinated Steps Should Be Taken To Bring FATA In Mainstream," an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" 
(cir. 300,000) (01/23) 
 
"The U.S. Administration has indicated to enhance the non-military 
assistance for Pakistan, so we must avail this opportunity to bring 
the disorderly tribal areas in the mainstream life.  It is the 
responsibility of the government, the politicians and other social 
quarters to focus on these backward and impoverished areas.  The 
volatile security situation of FATA is effecting the entire social 
and economic fabric of the country.  If we provide essential 
services to the tribal areas, and inculcate a sense of national 
pride among the tribesmen, we will beyond doubt eliminate the menace 
of extremism and fanaticism in those areas." 
 
"Obama Administration's Decision To Give Conditional Aid To 
Pakistan, And The Ground Reality," an editorial in liberal Urdu 
daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/23) 
 
"The decisions President Obama has taken on Guantanamo Bay, 
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and suspension of Bush orders would 
undoubtedly produce positive results when implemented.  As promised 
during the election campaign, President Obama must also make the 
resolution of Kashmir issue part of his foreign policy agenda." 
 
"Obama Policy Statement And Expected Changes," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5,000) (01/23) 
 
"The fact is that due to the global unrest created by former 
President Bush, all eyes are now on President Obama to end that 
unrest.  Even if no major foreign policy changes take place, most 
countries expect that the situation will stabilize with small 
changes....  We hope that the new U.S. President will not neglect 
Pakistan's sacrifices in the war on terror and will not make aid for 
Pakistan conditional." 
 
"Obama's Foreign Policy And Pakistan," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (01/23) 
 
"In the foreign policy statement of President Obama and Vice 
President Biden the assistance to Pakistan was given priority, but 
there was no mention of the Kashmir dispute.  However, it is good 
that Pakistan's non-military aid has been increased....  America 
will impose conditions if it provides billions of dollars in aid." 
 
"Separating Strategy From Politics," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (01/23) 
 
"The United States will 'increase non-military aid to Pakistan and 
hold it accountable for security in the border region with 
Afghanistan.'  This has been interpreted by a section in the press 
in Pakistan as 'linking' an increase in aid to Pakistan to American 
security along the Afghan border.  But surely the agenda does not 
deviate from the principle of a change of policy that favors 
strengthening Pakistan's economy as it functions as an ally of the 
United States, does it?" 
 
"Obama-Biden Foreign Policy Priorities," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" 
(cir. 3,000) (01/23) 
 
"Afghanistan and Pakistan stand on top of the priority list of 
Obama-Biden foreign policy as they took oath in Washington.  Under 
this decision, though U.S. government would add to non-military 
assistance to Pakistan but would make it conditional to security 
situation in tribal areas of the Pakistan.  To see Pakistan and 
Afghanistan in America's top priority list is not unexpected because 
every member of Bush administration was repeatedly that American 
policy towards Pakistan would not change, from Ambassador Anne 
Patterson to Richard Boucher, all have been reiterated this 
position." 
 
"Guarding The Marches," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/23) 
"There is a need on the part of President Obama to realize the 
damage done by the anti-terror policies of his predecessor.  The 
crux of the failure of these policies lay in an inability to 
comprehend the complexity of the phenomenon and the intermingling of 
a number of separate issues....  It was a major fault under the 
circumstances to bracket then together under Al Qaeda or Taliban and 
administer to them one-size-suits-all treatment.  What is needed is 
to address some of the unresolved regional issues unconnected with 
the global agenda of Al Qaeda." 
 
"FATA Issue And Expectations From President Obama," an editorial 
note in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" 
(cir. 15,000) (01/23) 
 
"Pakistan must not fail to remember that the U.S. policies are 
worked out after long and extensive deliberations on permanent 
basis, and cannot be altered so quickly.  Hence, we will not see any 
substantial change in the U.S. policy on Pakistan and its tribal 
areas.  However, there is a likelihood that we may perhaps hear the 
mantra of 'do more' more vehemently in the coming days." 
 
"Has America Really Entered Into A New Era?," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (01/23) 
 
"President Obama's decision on Guantanamo bay is being greeted 
worldwide as there were tales of torture and cruelty linked with the 
detention center.  The important thing to note is that this is 
President Obama's first directive.  This means that he was conscious 
of the cruelty being perpetrated there.  This decision would 
undoubtedly enhance his stature worldwide." 
 
"Gitmo Closure," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/23) 
 
"The swift moves by the new U.S. President, immediately after 
assuming charge of the top political job in Washington, have gone 
down well in the world.  The UN special rapporteur on torture has 
welcomed the decision and it will undoubtedly be as warmly received 
in the rest of the world as a definite break from the past years 
under Bush....  The definite move to shut it down will help create 
at least some wave of goodwill.  One of the challenges for Obama 
will be to carry forward the momentum he has now put into motion. 
We must hope that the dramatic decision he has announced is the 
first rung in a taller ladder that will reach upwards towards a more 
harmonious and peaceful world." 
 
"A Time Of Opportunity, A Time Of Challenge," an op-ed by Shafqat 
Mahmood in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (01/23) 
 
"It would indeed be the worst case scenario if relations between 
Pakistan and the U.S. deteriorate to a point where they have to seek 
alternative supply routes and come into the tribal area themselves. 
It would pitch the Pakistani army in the difficult position of 
deciding whether to take on the Americans or not.  The romantic 
dream of the Pakistani Taliban joining the army to fight India and 
America is nothing more than an untenable fantasy.  An important 
decision thus facing the Pakistani government and its defence 
establishment is what level of support it will provide to the Obama 
administration in the Afghan war.  Will it be without prevarication 
and wholehearted, or will it continue with the Musharraf policy of 
doing a little but not doing enough?" 
 
"Opportunity To Rewrite The Script: Are We Up To It?," an op-ed by 
Ayaz Amir in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (01/23) 
 
"Pakistan can no longer postpone bidding farewell to the siren calls 
of 'jihad.'  The world won't stand for this activity any more.  The 
sooner our security establishment understands this, the better for 
Pakistan....  Pakistan's soul is troubled but this is not an 
incurable condition.  The advent of the Obama administration 
provides us an opportunity to turn a new leaf and discard the 
baggage of the past.  Provided the leadership we have -- and no one 
is about to send us a leadership from Mars -- somehow, through some 
miracle yet unknown, starts giving a better account of itself." 
 
"Obama's Speech: Anything New?," an op-ed by Dr. Masooda Bano in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/23) 
 
"How things will develop under Obama's regime only time will tell. 
However, what is clear right now is that Obama has taken over the 
U.S. presidency at a point in history where he has the opportunity 
to make a real difference to world politics and reduce the 
increasing polarization of the world on religious lines, provided he 
has the courage to take some tough decisions." 
 
"Local Militancy," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (01/23) 
 
"Does Pakistan face a threat from militants and terrorists because 
of the American presence in Afghanistan or is it the result of the 
long-standing tolerance of non-state actors on our soil?  One could 
argue that terrorism in Pakistan, even in Afghanistan, preceded the 
presence of western troops in that country....  Major fallout of the 
failed Bush-Musharraf partnership has been the fact that seven years 
after 9/11, many Pakistanis refuse to accept the roots of terrorism 
here.  The Americans' and the international community's ham-fisted 
nation-building project in Afghanistan certainly added to a climate 
that has allowed the Taliban to make a comeback there." 
Patterson