VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0164/01 0270919
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270919Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1167
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 8929
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 4819
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9488
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 6901
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0894
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000164 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 27, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of the violence in Quetta 
following the killing of a local political leader dominated 
headlines in all newspapers on Tuesday.  All newspapers front-paged 
reports that 'courts' set up by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in the 
restive Swat valley have started functioning despite "Prime Minister 
Gilani's assertion that they would not be allowed to function." 
Also highlighted were reports of a bomb blast in Dera Ismail Khan 
"killing at least six people."  All newspapers prominently displayed 
remarks of Finance Adviser Tarin which stated "U.S. docked $55 
million from 'terror war' bill."  All dailies also gave prominent 
coverage to Ambassador Patterson's donation of security equipment to 
Frontier Corps and nutritional biscuits to children at an IDP camp 
in Peshawar. 
 
Most major dailies continued to run editorials on the deteriorating 
law and order situation in the Swat Valley and the taking over of 
Jamaatud Daawa headquarters by the government.  The English daily, 
"Dawn," noted that "Muridke, with its pro-poor face, and Swat, with 
its uninhibited brutal militants, represent the two ends of the 
militancy spectrum in Pakistan.  The tactics for uprooting the 
Jamaatud Daawa/Lashkar-i-Taiba in Punjab and the TTP in Swat must 
therefore necessarily be different."  Another English daily, "The 
News," observed that "we need now to demonstrate that extremist 
groups do more harm than good.  People need to see their true face. 
Until this is revealed, groups such as the JuD will continue to 
paint themselves as martyrs."  The leading Urdu daily, "Jang," 
wrote: "This state of affairs not only shows complete failure of 
both the federal and provincial administrations, but also damaging 
Pakistan's image as a moderate and progressive Muslim state across 
the world.  Thus, the government must find out a workable solution 
without delay, or else it will be too late."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Violence Erupts After Shia Leader Killed In Quetta" "Daily Times" 
(01/27) 
 
"Violence erupted in Quetta on Monday after Shia Hazara leader 
Hussain Ali Yousafi was shot dead in an apparent act of sectarian 
violence for which a banned Sunni organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangavi 
accepted responsibility for the murder." 
 
"Gilani Says Taliban Courts Unacceptable" "Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
"A day after 43 officials were summoned to Taliban courts for 
opposing the group - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on 
Monday that a parallel Taliban judiciary is unacceptable.  'We will 
not accept a policy like this,' Gilani told reporters after 
attending the inaugural session of a conference on medical education 
in Islamabad." 
 
"TTP 'Courts' Work Despite PM's No" "The News" (01/27) 
 
"Majority of the residents of the militant-infested areas of the 
restive Swat Valley have been turning to so-called Shariah courts 
set up by the Maulana Fazlullah-led Taliban for the settlement of 
their disputes....  However, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on 
Monday made it clear that the government would not allow Taliban to 
run their own so-called courts in Swat....  These so-called courts 
are becoming busier every day as majority of the people have turned 
to them, which settle their disputes within days.  The so-called 
Sharai Adalat (main court) is located in Peuchar where militant 
commanders, including Maulana Fazlullah, regularly attend the 
proceedings and decide cases." 
 
"Taliban Won't Be Allowed To Impose Their Agenda" "Daily Times" 
(01/27) 
 
"The government will not allow the Taliban to impose their political 
and ideological agenda on the people through the use of force, 
President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday." 
 
"Senators Call For Ending Military Action In Swat; We Have 
Limitations To Hit U.S. Drones: Rabbani" "The Nation" (01/27) 
 
"Senators both from treasury and Opposition benches called for early 
conclusion of military operation in Swat and pulling out armed 
forces from the Valley....  Leader of the House Mian Raza Rabbani 
Rabbani informed the Senate that Pakistan has certain compulsions 
and limitations to hit down U.S. drones adding that strong protest 
has been lodged with the U.S. Ambassador on border violations of 
Pakistan following the installation of new government in U.S." 
 
"ANP Admits Government Has Lost Its Writ In Swat" "Daily Times" 
(01/27) 
 
"The NWFP government has lost its writ in the volatile Swat valley, 
the ruling ANP admitted in the Senate on Monday." 
 
"Army Getting Jammers For Taliban Radio" "Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
"Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major 
General Athar Abbas on Monday said the military was acquiring the 
latest technology to jam the illegal radio transmissions of the Swat 
Taliban, a private TV channel reported." 
 
"Heated Debate In NA Over Government's Swat Claims" (01/27) 
 
"The government told the National Assembly on Monday it was 'moving 
forward' in its bloody anti-terror campaign in Swat valley, but the 
opposition and at least one member of an allied party disputed 
Interior Advisor Rehman Malik's optimistic picture.  'We are moving 
forward slowly and slowly,' Mr. Malik said after two opposition 
members pointed to possible threat to the lives of some 
parliamentarians and other political figures from the area." 
 
"Militants In Swat Blow Up Another School" "Dawn" (01/27) 
 
"Militants in Swat blew up another school and at least seven people 
were killed and several others injured as violence continued on 
Monday." 
 
"Baitullah Asks Followers To 'Stop Attacks'" "Dawn" (01/27) 
 
"The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has asked its members 
to stop attacks on government installations, kidnapping for ransom, 
bank robbery and car snatching across the country.  A statement 
purportedly issued by TTP Chief Baitullah Mehsud on Sunday." 
 
"Six Killed As Sunni MPA Targeted In D.I. Khan Blast" "Daily Times" 
(01/27) 
 
"Six persons were killed and 26 other injured when a 
remote-controlled bomb, apparently targeting a Sunni leader, 
exploded in D.I. Khan's Circular Road area, police said on Monday." 
 
"Taliban Kill 'U.S. Spy' In Miranshah" "Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
"The Taliban in North Waziristan on Monday killed a local tribesman, 
accusing him for spying for the United States." 
 
"U.S. Docked $55 Million From 'Terror War' Bill: Tarin" "Dawn" 
(01/27) 
 
"The United States withheld $55 million under its reimbursement 
program for expenses incurred by Pakistan on the war on terror after 
U.S. auditors raised objections, Adviser to Prime Minister on 
Finance Shaukat Tarin said in Islamabad on Monday.  'The Pakistan 
government will re-submit a case for the release of the amount which 
has already been spent from its resources against the war on 
terror,' he said." 
 
"United States Provides Security Equipment To The Frontier Corps" 
"The News," "The Nation", "Daily Times," "The Frontier Post," 
"Express," "Jang," "Ausaf," "Aaj Kal," and "Pakistan" (01/27) 
 
"Anne W. Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, handed over $1.5 
million in security equipment to the Frontier Corps, including 
protective helmets, bullet-proof vests, communications, and office 
equipment to Major General Tariq Khan, Inspector General Frontier 
Corps at the Frontier Corps Training Center at Warsak on Monday." 
 
"United States Provides Nutritional Biscuits To Children at Kacha 
Ghari IDP Camp" "Daily Times," "The Frontier Post" (01/27) 
 
"Anne W. Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, handed over 32,400 
packets of high nutrient biscuits to the Commission of Afghan 
Refugees to be distributed to families at the Kacha Ghari Internally 
Displaced Persons (IDP) camp on Monday." 
 
"Obama Administration Asked To Re-Evaluate Drone Strike Policy" 
"Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
"With an emerging consensus among foreign policy experts that FATA 
poses the greatest security challenge to the U.S. - a U.S.-based 
foreign policy research organisation has called on President Barack 
Obama's administration to re-evaluate its drone attacks policy for 
the Tribal Areas.  A commission of experts for evaluating past 
American policy in FATA and its effectiveness should probe this 
issue in depth, says a report by the Institute for Social Policy and 
Understanding (ISPU)." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"No Easy Solution," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (01/27) 
 
"Muridke, with its pro-poor face, and Swat, with its uninhibited, 
brutal militants, represent the two ends of the militancy spectrum 
in Pakistan.  The tactics for uprooting the Jamaatud 
Dawa/Lashkar-i-Taiba in Punjab and the TTP in Swat must therefore 
necessarily be different....  Appeasing the TTP in Swat today 
virtually guarantees the militants will spread their tentacles 
further afield in Pakistan.  The same goes for the Jamaatud Daawa. 
If the provincial and federal governments do not work together to 
ensure the group is shut down for good, in all likelihood it will 
re-emerge later in a new form." 
 
"Rooting Out The JuD," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/27) 
 
"Over the past eight years, the JuD has been able to paint itself in 
the minds of people as a group engaged in 'good' work.  But all this 
cannot disguise the fact that the group also promotes extremist 
ideas; that suspicions lurk of its possible involvement in terrorist 
activities.  What the authorities need to do is put the evidence 
that exists on this count before the people.  We need now to 
demonstrate that extremist groups do more harm than good.  People 
need to see their true face.  Until this is revealed, groups such as 
the JuD will continue to paint themselves as martyrs, blaming Indian 
and western pressure for the action against them." 
 
"Both Federal And Provincial Governments Should Join Hands To Deal 
With Swat Situation," an editorial in the leading mass circulation 
centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (01/27) 
 
"This state of affairs not only shows complete failure of both the 
federal and provincial administrations, but also damaging Pakistan's 
image as a moderate and progressive Muslim state across the world. 
Thus, the government must find out a workable solution without 
delay, or else it will be too late." 
 
"Crackdown On Daawa," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/27) 
 
"The latest measure inspires confidence in the government's 
determination to root out militancy from the country.  Though the 
international community in general has been appreciative of our 
strategy to combat extremism, New Delhi, as befits its traditional 
stance, continues pointing fingers at Pakistan for not doing 
enough." 
 
"Taking Control Of Markaz-i-Taiba," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 125,000) (01/27) 
 
"If the action of government taking over Markaz-i-Taiba was carried 
out just to appease America and India then this act cannot be 
praised.  Lahore Division Commissioner himself said that he did not 
see any unlawful activity in the Markaz-i-Taiba....  If an 
organization with the name Lashkar-i-Taiba operates in Indian held 
Kashmir and helps Kashmiri Mujahideen then punishing Jamaatud Dawa 
for that is not prudent." 
 
"Taking over offices of Jamaatud Daawa," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" 
(cir. 3,000) (01/27) 
 
"Under Indian pressure, the Punjab government has taken control of 
office of Jamaatud Dawa and established police check post besides 
Jamaat office in Muridke.  This all is happening under pressure from 
India which accused a welfare organization of involvement in Mumbai 
attacks." 
 
"Swat Hit-List And Two-Finger Sign," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (01/27) 
 
"The scene in Swat is depressing and it is all the more so because 
it is a warlord's two-finger sign in the face of our mighty army. 
Swat is the war that Pakistan will have to fight if it wants to 
survive.  All other 'threats' are political red herrings." 
 
"Menacing New Threat," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/27) 
 
"The pity is that for so long the fanatical fringe, under the 
leadership of firebrand Maulvi Fazlullah, has been allowed to spread 
its message among the largely illiterate population through his 
illegal FM radio station, with the result that its ranks have 
swelled.  That has made things so much harder for the government, 
that it no longer is able to exercise its writ over a large part of 
the valley.  And the militant commanders have the guts to threaten 
with dire consequences those who they think have transgressed the 
limits imposed by the Sharia....  Can one hope that the challenge, 
which the menacing threat poses, would be met with firmness and a 
clear sense of purpose and the writ of the state squarely 
established?" 
 
"Taliban court in Swat," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) 
(01/27) 
 
"Having a state within a state is tantamount to violation of 
Pakistani law.  The establishment of unauthorized Sharia based 
courts by local Taliban, and on top of it the government and 
opposition resolve to use force against each other is dangerous." 
 
"Swat: The Need For Talks And Reconciliation," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (01/27) 
 
"We want to reiterate that Ulema could play important role in the 
efforts to rid Swat of the current bloodshed.  Those Ulema, who are 
respected in religious circles, should open up the door to dialogue 
with Maulvi Fazlullah, Baitullah Mehsud and other Taliban leaders." 
 
"Increasing Militancy; Establish Government Writ," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/27) 
 
"The manner in which the Swat issue is being handled makes one feel 
that it is being treated as an internal provincial matter but sooner 
or later everyone will admit that  this is a national issue as the 
way militancy is spreading shows that provincial borders or federal 
units do not matter to the militants...." 
 
"Taliban's [Hit] List: An Attempt To Weaken Pakistan In The Name Of 
Islam," an editorial in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 
5,000) (01/27) 
 
"Prior to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Lal Masjid's Ghazi Abdur 
Rashid and Maulana Abdul Aziz had also announced setting up similar 
Shariat Courts, and tried to enforce their concept of Shariat 
forcibly in the federal capital. Their attempt ended in a tragedy 
Pakistanis cannot forget.  Setting up Shariat courts in Swat and 
summoning elected leaders and officials is tantamount to a direct 
confrontation with the state.  The Taliban leadership should stop 
this enmity with Muslims in the name of religion." 
 
"U.S. Policy Pertaining To Pakistan Won't Change," an editorial in 
the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (01/27) 
 
"The track-record of Mr. Richard Holbrooke is stained.  He played a 
critical role as Assistant Secretary of State in partition of the 
Christian-dominant area East Timor from Indonesia and remained 
active in the Muslim genocide in Bosnia during the Clinton era. 
Now, he is going to play an 'important' role in Pakistan and 
Afghanistan.  If God forbids, Mr. Holbrooke seeks to repeat the same 
feat here in Pakistan, then only God can protect Pakistan." 
 
"The Afghanistan Mess," an op-ed by Rasul Bakhsh Rais in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (01/27) 
 
"Foreign benefactors and friends are a poor substitute for 
indigenous political and social forces in mediating conflict between 
old and new power elites and rival ethnic groups.  Reviving the 
internal social and political energies of Afghanistan is crucial to 
preventing a return to chaos and civil disorder, which could wipe 
off the gains made so far.  The Obama administration must act 
differently by focusing on national reconciliation within 
Afghanistan instead of using force against one particular ethnic or 
social group to the benefit of its rivals." 
 
"How Holbrooke Will Succeed," an op-ed by Mosharraf Zaidi in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/27) 
 
"Richard Holbrooke must understand that in Afghanistan and Pakistan 
'engaging the elite' has been a miserable failure of a policy for 
Western powers.  Over 200 years of engaging the elite 
here--generals, politicians, warlords, landlords and mullahs--has 
failed to produce the kind of emancipative democracy....  Engaging 
Pakistan's emerging urban middle class, its accountants, artists, 
historians, doctors, computer nerds, architects and, yes, without 
question, its lawyers, is the surest, straightest and most honest 
road out from under the rubble of FATA and towards success for the 
special representative." 
 
"Holbrooke Special U.S. Envoy For Pak-Afghan," an op-ed by M. Ashraf 
Mirza in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan 
Observer" (cir. 5,000) (01/27) 
 
"Mr. Obama should not be oblivious to the fact that withdrawal from 
Afghanistan will be the only solution to the Afghan imbroglio.  And 
the United States will recognize it sooner than later like Iraq.  If 
war is bad and unacceptable for Iraq, it's equally bad and 
unacceptable for Afghanistan since both are sovereign countries and 
were invaded by the U.S. to impose its policy of pre-emption 
conceived by Bush's notorious Vice President Dick Cheney...." 
 
"India's New Allegation: Change In Strategy Is Needed," an editorial 
in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/27) 
 
"Death threats to the Pakistani High Commissioner prove that not 
only is the Indian government involved in aggravating the situation, 
it has given a free hand to extremist Hindus also....  The 
government must devise a strategy to counter this situation, and the 
international community must also play a role in trying to rein 
India in." 
 
"Threat By Extremist Hindu Outfit And Our Political Leadership's 
Insensitivity," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist 
center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (01/27) 
 
"Following Barack Obama's election, Indian-Americans had written a 
letter drawing his attention to the fact that groups like the RSS 
and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were involved in politics of hate against 
Christians and Muslims in several Indian states.  The letter urged 
the new U.S. administration to help stop this [brand of politics]. 
Now this extremist trend has increased to the extent of threatening 
diplomats....  If India takes solid measures against these extremist 
outfits it will prove that the government has no links with them, 
otherwise the world will only blame India." 
 
"Threats To The Pakistani High Commissioner And The New Indian 
Drama," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist 
Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (01/27) 
 
"Pakistan needs to present the evidence of RAW's involvement in 
terrorism in the tribal areas and Balochistan....  Moreover, 
Pakistan government should demand custody of those who gave death 
threats to Pakistani High Commissioner to India." 
 
"Death Threats To Pakistani High Commissioner In India," an 
editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 
10,000) (01/27) 
 
"Pakistan should immediately recall its High Commissioner and other 
diplomatic staff from New Delhi, as their lives are in danger. 
Moreover, this anticipated act will also help the international 
community understand the Hindu radical mindset, and the war-hysteria 
of the Indians." 
 
"Threat To Envoy," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (01/27) 
 
"The letter is a grim reminder that after the Mumbai killings the 
dust of conflict between India and Pakistan has still not settled. 
It is clear that the terrorist elements in India are encouraged by 
the Indian government's aggressive stance of directly blaming the 
government of Pakistan of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai....  India 
must not be influenced by the hydra of terrorism.  Instead, the two 
countries must fight it jointly." 
Patterson