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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000190 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 29, 2009 
 
SUMMARY: Report and photographs of the visit of Army chief General 
Kayani to the restive Swat valley dominated front pages in most 
major dailies on Thursday. Newspapers quoted General Kayani as 
reiterating that "government's writ in Swat would be established at 
all costs."  Newspapers also highlighted Prime Minister Gilani's 
interview with CNN in Davos urging President Obama "to respect 
Pakistan's sovereignty." A statement by Pakistan Foreign Office 
Spokesman that "Pakistan had no understanding with the U.S. on drone 
attacks" was also prominently displayed. U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Admiral Mike Mullen remarks that "Afghanistan and Pakistan were the 
biggest threat confronting the United States" were front-paged by 
many newspapers.  Newspaper ran reports that "seven militants and 
equal number of civilians were killed in clashes in Swat." Several 
dailies ran reports on President Zardari's published article in 
"Washington Post" calling upon President Obama "to help resolve 
Kashmir dispute." 
 
'Terrorism' remained the central theme of editorials in most 
dailies.  The English daily, "Dawn," noted that "while there is need 
for changing military tactics in response to the different 
compulsions on the ground when an operation is undertaken, the 
broader need for a unified political approach vis-`-vis the 
militants is absolutely essential." The Urdu daily, "Express," noted 
that "whatever may be the cause of the continuation of drone 
attacks, it is high time that some eagerness is shown to get these 
stopped and the American administration be apprised of its 
results." 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Govt Writ In Swat At All Costs: Kayani "The News" (01/29) 
 
"Sixteen more people, including seven militants, were killed and 23 
others injured in Swat violence on Wednesday, as Army Chief General 
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani vowed to establish the writ of the 
government." 
 
"Gilani Urges Obama To Respect Pakistan's Sovereignty" "Dawn" 
(01/29) 
 
"Calling on President Barack Obama to respect Pakistan's 
sovereignty, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the US 
administration on Wednesday to stop drone attacks in Fata. He said 
drone attacks were fuelling militancy in the tribal areas bordering 
Afghanistan. "If there are any drone attacks these would be 
counter-productive..," he told CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an 
interview at the World Economic Forum (WEF)." 
 
"Govt At Loss On Drone Attacks"  "The News" (01/29) 
 
"Confusion prevails in Islamabad and Washington as conflicting 
statements are being made about the reality behind the US drone 
attacks inside Pakistan's territory, which result in civilian 
deaths. On Wednesday, a Foreign Office spokesman clearly said: 
"There is no understanding between Pakistan and the United States on 
Predator attacks." But, earlier, US Secretary of Defense Robert 
Gates had made no bones about the fact that the government of 
Pakistan was simply 'informed' about these drone attacks, though he 
also did not claim any 'understanding.'" 
 
"Unilateral U.S. Decision Not Binding On Pakistan: Rabbani:" "Dawn" 
(01/29) 
 
The Senate was informed on Wednesday that the government had not 
been informed by the United States about its decision to continue 
drone attacks in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas." 
 
"U.S. Resolve On Test In Pakistan, Says Mullen" "Dawn" (01/29) 
 
"Some level of stability, no safe havens, reasonable development... 
nuclear weapons not a significant concern in Pakistan," said 
America's top military official when asked what would constitute 
success for him in the South Asian region.... The admiral underlined 
the current situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan as the biggest 
threat confronting the United States and said that within those two 
countries, the presence of terrorist elements in Fata was the main 
cause of concern for Washington." 
"Zardari Seeks Obama's Help To Resolve Kashmire Dispute" "The News" 
(01/29) 
 
"Advocating the need for recasting Pakistan-US relationship into a 
long-term partnership for peace, stability and development, 
President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday asked President Barack Obama 
to help resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute that remains at the 
heart of South Asian unrest and challenges like extremism." 
 
"Hamilton Urges U.S. Efforts For Kashmir Resolution" "Daily Times" 
(01/29) 
 
"Lee Hamilton, a veteran Democrat leader and vice chairman of the 
9/11 Commission, has called for United States' support for the 
resolution of the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and 
favored assisting Pakistan's effort against Al Qaeda along the 
Afghan border. 
 
 "USAID projects in FATA shelved over security" "Daily Times" 
(01/29) 
 
"Around 25 projects operated by USAID in the Federally Administered 
Tribal Areas (FATA) and settled areas of the NWFP have been 
temporarily closed over security concerns, a private TV channel 
quoted its sources on Wednesday." 
 
"Clinton Concerned Over Civilian Deaths In U.S. Attacks" "Daily 
Times" (01/29) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday expressed 
concern over civilian casualties in American attacks against 
militant targets in the Pak-Afghan border region." 
 
"Zardari Vows To Curb Militancy, Parallel Courts" "Dawn" (01/29) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated the government's 
commitment that militants will never be allowed to set up a parallel 
judiciary." 
 
"School Blown Up In Bajaur" "Dawn" (01/29) 
 
"Taking a leaf out of their counterpart's war on education in Swat, 
suspected militants blew up a government school for boys near a 
security post in the Nawagai subdivision of Bajaur Agency on Tuesday 
night." 
 
"Seven Militants Killed In Swat" "Dawn" (01/29) 
"Seven militants and seven civilians were killed in clashes between 
the local Taliban and security forces in Swat on Wednesday. The 
clash took place when Army Chief General Parvez Ashfaq Kayani was 
visiting the valley." 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Friends, Not Foes," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/29) 
 
"The fact that Obama chose an Arab news channel to give his first 
interview as president is in itself significant. Clearly he sees 
building a warmer relationship with the Muslim world as a key 
priority. So far, the new US president has shown he intends to keep 
up the momentum he built during his election campaign. In this, he 
has proved inaccurate those who had predicted he would focus 
essentially on domestic policy during his early days in office. The 
Obama team seems to be aware of the importance of creating greater 
harmony as a means of battling terror... Should the US president 
succeed in turning the vision he brings to Washington into policy 
measures that can help end the acrimony we see everywhere, he would 
have staged a true revolution." 
"Obama's Early Initiatives" an Op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (01/29) 
 
"Obama is also likely to demonstrate greater support for democracy 
in Pakistan as evident from his earlier message of congratulations 
to President Zardari, in which he praised the latter for pledging to 
'return to parliament the power unconstitutionally appropriated to 
the presidency' and characterized the judges' return as 'an 
important step towards the restoration of a truly independent 
judiciary.' But he will be a far more demanding 'friend' than 
Bush." 
 
"Obama Should Fulfill The Promise Of Change" an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (01/29) 
 
"The truth is that the real battle now is between Barack Hussein 
Obama and this Jewish-Christian lobby. The U.S. President 
understands his nation's desire for change, hence if he acts 
courageously and does not succumb to the Jewish-Christian extremists 
in his efforts to improve America's credibility, he will not only 
ensure peace in the world but also restore America's image. .. 
Therefore, Mr. Obama should step forward and play a role which makes 
weak and helpless nations think of the U.S. as a well-wisher and 
sympathizer." 
 
"Obama's Nice Words," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/29) 
 
"President Obama's interview with Al-Arabiya satellite television 
station on Monday night contains some nice and conciliatory words 
for the Muslim World, which today stands thoroughly alienated from 
the US as a result of the mindless policies of his predecessor. In 
an attempt to regain its confidence, Mr Obama even invoked the fact 
that some members of his family were Muslim. Although the gesture 
was welcome and most timely, in the final analysis it will be the 
deeds that would determine whether Muslims regard the US as their 
enemy or not." 
 
"As The Terror Escalates," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/29) 
 
"... While there is need for changing military tactics in response 
to the different compulsions on the ground when an operation is 
undertaken, the broader need for a unified political approach 
vis-`-vis the militants is absolutely essential. But that is not the 
case. Those battling India - in Kashmir or on Indian territory - are 
treated differently from those fighting the Americans in 
Afghanistan. There is yet another approach towards the militants 
whose activities are focused on the domestic front as in Swat. What 
is needed is a coordinated and integrated approach." 
 
"U.S. Policy On Drone Attacks" an editorial in liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/29) 
 
"Whatever may be the cause of the continuation of drone attacks, it 
is high time that some eagerness is shown to get these stopped and 
the American administration be apprised of its results. The 
government also needs to intensify the operation in the tribal areas 
so that terrorists are eliminated and America does not need to cross 
into our territory in their pursuit." 
 
"South Asia: The Most Volatile Region," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (01/29) 
 
"Pakistan is a fast-failing state manifesting patterns of activity 
less characteristic of South Asia and more patterned on Afghanistan 
and Somalia, leveraged by a disputed concept of sharia. It radiates 
threats to South Asia as well as to Central Asia and Iran. More 
dangerously, unlike the rest of South Asia, it has "ungoverned 
spaces" on is sovereign territory where non-state actors and 
foreigners are setting up their own mini-states complete with taxing 
authority and "quick justice" courts dictated by warlords. Foreign 
and local terrorists trained in Pakistan have struck in the United 
States and Europe and India, and can do it again unless eliminated. 
It is unrealistic to make reference to the "root causes" only when 
the revisionist state is spinning out of internal control and its 
elites are unwilling or unable to rise to the occasion themselves." 
 
"Need Of The Hour Is Work, And Not Fiery Statements," an editorial 
in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (01/29) 
 
"The security situation of Swat isn't all right, and the warning 
signals coming from Washington are also disturbing for every 
Pakistani as well. The expectations from the new U.S. administration 
that it would discontinue drone missile attacks aren't fulfilled. 
This is high time for the whole nation to adopt a new approach 
together to overcome this predicament." 
 
"U.S. Declaration To Continue Attacks On Pakistan," an editorial 
note in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 
10,000) (01/29) 
 
"The Government of Pakistan is very disappointed over the new U.S. 
administration's announcement to continue drone attacks. Time has 
come for all the heads of the political parties and the Army Chief 
to sit together to cope with this situation without delay." 
 
"Decisive Moment For Pakistani Leadership," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(01/29) 
 
"In spite of Pakistan's continuous protest and resistance, the U.S. 
has plainly made it clear that it would continue drone attacks on 
Pakistani border areas, and would chase Al-Qaeda across the world. 
Pakistan must understand that the pride of the U.S. military might 
is smashed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and consequently the process of 
its economic meltdown in the world is accelerated too.  Our rulers 
must not be afraid of the United States, and take honourable stand 
on national security." 
 
"U.S. Announcement To Continue Drone Attacks" an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 125,000) (01/29) 
 
"The impression among people is gaining strength that like the 
Musharraf regime present government has also given permission for 
the missile strikes....  The missile strikes will continue until a 
Drone or two are downed....  To what extent the Pakistan Army will 
tolerate this situation?" 
 
"U.S. Missile Strikes On Pakistani Areas" an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (01/29) 
 
"In his first interview after assuming the office to an Arab TV, 
President Barack Obama admitted the war on terror in the last seven 
years proved counterproductive.  If President Obama is now aware of 
the harms of the war on terrorism then his attention should also be 
drawn to the difficulties Pakistan faces in the fight against 
terrorism due to the U.S. drone attacks inside our territory." 
 
 "Continuation Of Drone Attacks?" an editorial in the Lahore-based 
Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5,000) (01/29) 
 
"It would not be unjustified to expect President Zardari to act 
courageously and try to get the drone attacks stopped with the help 
of European countries." 
 
"Pakistan Should Inform New U.S. Administration About Its Limits" an 
editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 
5,000) (01/29) 
 
"Now that the Obama administration has decided to focus on 
Afghanistan, we should also be realistic instead of harboring 
unrealistic hopes.  America has informed us of its policy; we must 
also tell the new U.S. administration of what we can and cannot 
do." 
 
"Assistance For NWFP Affectees" an editorial note in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (01/29) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson has assured the 
Frontier province government that the U.S. administration will 
provide comprehensive food and essential commodities assistance to 
those people who had to migrate from Bajaur, Swat and other 
areas....  Hundreds of thousand of war on terror affectees are 
living in temporary shelters in the Frontier province and are 
greatly in need of assistance.  The American government should 
provide the kind of help that could rehabilitate these people in 
their areas." 
 
"Some Observations On The War In Swat" Op-ed by Aasim Sajjad Akhtar 
in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/29) 
 
"There is a need to transcend the superficial analyses that are 
floating around in the popular media where conspiracy theorists 
typically identify the age-old 'enemies of Pakistan' as creating 
chaos in the shape of the 'Taliban............ I believe that there 
is a need to recognize the tremendous ideational power that Islam 
plays in the wider society.......... I also think that the romance 
of the 'Taliban' amongst ordinary people in Swat has worn off to a 
significant extent...... By continuing to rain bombs down upon 
innocent people, the Pakistani military is providing every incentive 
to the local population to look at the 'Taliban' as an alternative 
to the violence of the state... What Swat really needs is a 
genuinely anti-imperialist force to resist the so-called 'war on 
terror' and build a progressive and equal society not society not 
through brazen coercion but through popular mobilization." 
 
"Taliban Country" an Op-ed by Mahmud Sipra in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (01/29) 
 
"Every forest today is infested with the Taliban who are equipped 
with the most modern weaponry and a brutal extremist agenda to 
terrorize its people. Everyday brings in more of these marauders 
from the hills and the mountain passes. This valley is under 
siege." 
Patterson