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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000201 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 30, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports pertaining to the situation in Swat dominated 
headlines in all dailies on Friday.  Newspapers reported that the 
"government has worked out a new strategy to combat militancy in 
Swat."  Reports and photographs of Prime Minister Gilani's 
participation in the World Economic Forum session in Davos also 
garnered front page coverage.  Newspapers quoted the Prime Minister 
as saying that "force alone cannot defeat terrorists."  Also 
highlighted were reports that Lahore police nabbed three men "said 
to be Indian agents" for their alleged involvement in terrorist 
activities.  In a dispatch from London, the English daily, "Dawn," 
reported that "U.S. plans to send letter to Iran's supreme leader 
Khamenei aimed at unfreezing U.S.-Iranian relations." 
 
Commenting on President Obama's Al Arabiya interview, the English 
daily, "Dawn," noted that "we hope that his desire for a new chapter 
in relations with the Muslim world will be translated into action, 
and that he possesses the common sense to realize that it is 
unresolved issues like Palestine and Kashmir that breed terrorists." 
 Another English daily, "The Nation," observed that "the U.S., whose 
policies radicalized the tribal areas, including a traditionally 
peaceful Swat, into a militant stronghold, bears the primary 
responsibility to t help heal the wounds. Unless the exercise is 
urgently undertaken, the battle for winning the hearts and minds 
will be lost."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Fresh Strategy To Crush Swat Militants; Malik Names Terror Outfits 
Behind Insurgency" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"Prime Minister's Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik told the 
Senate on Thursday that a new strategy had been worked out to combat 
militancy in Swat.  Winding up a discussion on the situation in 
Swat, he said he was confident that law enforcers would succeed in 
flushing out terrorists from the valley in a few weeks." 
 
"Force Along Can't Defeat Terrorists, Gilani" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"President Barack Obama should deepen U.S. engagement in Afghanistan 
but show more restraint in Pakistan, ministers said on Thursday as 
the volatile region took centre stage in Davos.  Prime Minister 
Yousuf Raza Gilani told delegates that U.S. drone attacks on 
Pakistani territory were 'counterproductive' and called for a new 
approach by Obama's administration....  'I don't think military 
action is the only solution to the problems,' said Mr. Gilani, who 
called for development and dialogue to be part of a three-pronged 
approach to tackling militants." 
 
"Zardari, Gilani Know Drone Hits Inside Out" "The News" (01/30) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani 
have been fully aware of U.S. strategy of drones attacks on FATA to 
target suspected terrorist hideouts and U.S. administration is fully 
cognizant of 'verbal protests' by Pakistan leaders for public and 
political reasons since the PPP took over the government, according 
to U.S. sources." 
 
"U.S. Drones Hitting Locals: Report" "The Post" (01/30) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza 
Gillani were informed on Thursday by the national security agencies 
in a detailed report that mostly local tribesmen were targeted in 
U.S. drone attacks.  According to well-placed sources, it has been 
disclosed in a report prepared by the intelligence agencies that the 
United States has stopped sharing intelligence information regarding 
their respected targets in the Tribal Areas of the Country." 
 
"Three Alleged Indian Agents Arrested In Lahore" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"Three men said to be Indian agents were arrested on Thursday for 
their alleged involvement in terrorist activities in the provincial 
capital (Lahore) and other parts of the country." 
 
"U.S. Envoy Holbrooke Due Next Week" "Dawn," "The News," "Daily 
Times" (01/30) 
 
"Ambassador Richard Holbrooke will travel to Afghanistan and 
Pakistan next week on his first visit to the region as a special 
U.S. Envoy for the two countries, the State Department said on 
Thursday." 
 
"Pak Military Working Opaque: Mullen; Says Kayani Has Delivered And 
Is Committed To Change ISI Culture" "The News" (01/30) 
 
"Of all the problems confronting the Obama administration, none is 
trickier than Pakistan - a nuclear power that has a war in 
Afghanistan on its western border, a tense confrontation with India 
on its eastern border and a deadly insurgency at home from Muslim 
militants who want to topple the pro-American government.  At the 
crux of all three conflicts are the Pakistan Army and its 
intelligence service, known as the ISI. The army's pervasive power 
is summed up in a Pakistani joke: 'All countries have armies, but 
here, an army has a country.'...  Mullen said that Kayani and his 
Intelligence Chief, Pasha, "have committed very specifically to 
change the culture in ISI.  They recognize that they've got to get 
out of where they've been, which is in support of these militants, 
to try to make deals, and that they've got to move beyond that." 
 
"Obama Should Expand Pakistan Aid" "Daily Times" (01/30) 
 
"A top American expert on South Asia, Bruce Riedel, has called for 
boosting economic and security assistance to Pakistan and improving 
the U.S. image in the South Asian country, and said unilateral drone 
strikes in the Tribal Areas have been effective but with a 
counterproductive element." 
 
"No Military Solution To Afghan Issues, Says Inderfurth" "Daily 
Times" (01/30) 
 
"Karl Inderfurth, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South 
Asia during the second Clinton presidency, said there is no military 
solution to Afghanistan's problems and suggested diplomatic and 
political solutions to restore peace and stability." 
 
"Troops Advance As Gunships Pound Swat Taliban Positions" "Daily 
Times" (01/30) 
 
"The military operation against the Taliban in Swat continued on 
Thursday, with security forces, backed by artillery and helicopter 
gunships, advancing further into the valley, reportedly destroying a 
number of terrorist dens." 
 
"Residence Of Judge, DIG Office Attacked" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"The official residence of the civil judge and regional Qazi was 
blown up in Matta and the office of the DIG was attacked with 
rockets in Saidu Sharif on Thursday.  Two security personnel, five 
militants and three civilians were killed and 32 suspected militants 
arrested as violence continued in different areas of Swat." 
 
"Suicide Bombing Gang Busted, Claim Police" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"Police claimed to have arrested nine suspected terrorists and 
seized 100kg of explosives, detonators and other material during a 
raid in a house in Rawalpindi on Thursday." 
 
"'U.S. Spy' Killed In North Waziristan" "The Post" (01/30) 
 
"Taliban militants shot dead a tribesman in tribal region, accusing 
him of spying for the United States, a local official said 
Thursday. 
 
"U.S. Plans To Send Letter To Khamenei" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"Ignoring Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's demand for an 
apology for 'U.S. actions against Iran over the past 60 years,' 
officials of Barack Obama's administration are said to have drafted 
a letter to Iran from the president aimed at unfreezing U.S.-Iranian 
relations and opening the way for face-to-face talks, reports the 
Guardian." 
 
"U.S. May Be Pushed To The Brink Of Deflation" "Dawn" (01/30) 
 
"The U.S. Federal Reserve officials on Thursday warned of a 
prolonged global economic slowdown that might push the United States 
to the brink of deflation.  The U.S. Federal Open Market Committee, 
charged under U.S. law with overseeing the nation's open market 
operations, warned that its earlier prediction of a 'gradual 
recovery' in the US economy later this year had 'significant' risks 
of failing to materialize." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Gestures Aren't Enough," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/30) 
 
"Since his inauguration Mr. Obama has done little to suggest that 
the Democratic administration will do away with old attitudes and 
adopt a non-partisan approach.  This latter is important if the goal 
of a Palestinian homeland is to be achieved....  Where South Asia is 
concerned, Mr. Obama now plans a surge in American troop levels in 
Afghanistan, and going by the frequency of drone attacks, he seems 
to have embraced Bush's Fata policy whole hog.  We hope that his 
desire for a new chapter in relations with the Muslim world will be 
translated into action, and that he possesses the common sense to 
realize that it is unresolved issues like Palestine and Kashmir that 
breed terrorists." 
 
"Drone Attack," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (01/30) 
 
"Such attacks, in fact, strengthen the terrorists instead of helping 
the cause of the war on terror.  The drone attacks have resulted in 
intensifying suicide attacks against security personnel all over 
Pakistan.  The incidents inevitably result in the loss of innocent 
lives....  If the U.S. does not revise its policy of violating our 
sovereignty, success in the war against terrorism will remain an 
elusive dream." 
 
"Deadly Drone Attacks - Why No Reaction," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (01/30) 
 
"Deadly drone attacks are increasing with the passage of every day 
resulting into killing of scores of innocent people and injuring 
many more.  In this backdrop, it is highly regrettable that the kind 
of reaction that the situation deserves is almost missing especially 
at the political level....  There are no two opinions that people of 
Pakistan have zero tolerance to frequent violation of the country's 
sovereignty but their leadership is failing them." 
 
"Incomprehensible U.S. Policies And The Region's Future," an 
editorial in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" cir. 10,000) 
(01/30) 
 
"America and world powers should look at the ground realities in 
order to make a decision to increase Pakistan's resource against 
terrorism.  The spy planes attacks should end, for these attacks are 
creating hatred against America." 
 
"More Drone Attacks," an editorial in the country's premier business 
newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (01/30) 
 
"So far, political and diplomatic inputs from both sides have been 
very small if not non-existent, making Pakistan hostage to 
developments on the war-front....  While U.S. Defence Secretary may 
not explain why drone attacks would continue, Pakistan government 
has to convince the people why these drones are not being 
intercepted." 
 
"Curbing Militancy," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/30) 
 
"The U.S., whose policies radicalized the tribal areas, including a 
traditionally peaceful Swat, into a militant stronghold, bears the 
primary responsibility to help heal the wounds.  Unless the exercise 
is urgently undertaken, the battle for winning the hearts and minds 
will be lost." 
 
"President Zardari's Offer To The U.S. And Our Interests," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (01/30) 
 
"Instead of intensifying the military operation in the Tribal Areas, 
our political and military leaders should show America the door so 
that they depart -- taking with them the debris of their failures. 
No other option can take us towards peace and stability." 
 
"Hurdles In Solving The Problems Of FATA," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(01/30) 
 
"President Zardari's stand, that Pakistan immediately needs 1.5 
billion dollars from the United States in the form of economic and 
military assistance, is also raising suspicions that perhaps the 
Pakistan government does not want to resolve FATA issue in the 
hunger of dollars, as until this issue carries on, Pak Army and the 
civil administration will gain dollars from the U.S." 
 
"Army Chief's Visit To Swat," an editorial in the Peshawar-based 
Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (01/30) 
 
"Only the people of Pakistan together with the Pak Army can confront 
the challenges that the country is facing at the moment.  Likewise 
the religious leaders should also play their role to quench fire set 
by the militants and Taliban.  But this can be done only when our 
leaders concentrate on their religious, social and moral 
responsibilities rather than scoring points at the precarious 
security situation of Swat vale, and other conflict-hit areas." 
 
"Not Operation, But Comprehensive Steps Imperative," an editorial in 
the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (01/30) 
 
"In the present circumstances a decisive military operation in Swat 
valley is crucial, but the government must also not miss the 
development programs, and political measures to address the genuine 
problems of the local population.  The U.S. administration should 
cooperate with Pakistan in providing assistance for the proposed 
development projects in the area." 
 
"Swat: Restoration Of Government Writ," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (01/30) 
 
"Pak Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has reiterated that the 
army has full capacity to enforce government's writ in Swat and 
tribal areas....  The army has already almost eliminated militancy 
from Bajaur and restored government's writ satisfactorily.  Swat is 
an area 'easier' than Bajaur.  It seems that the 'silence' that the 
army had hitherto been keeping with respect to Swat due to unknown 
reasons has ended with the visit army chief's Swat visit." 
 
"Some Aspects Of Discord In Swat," an editorial in the popular 
rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (01/30) 
 
". . . The brutal acts of militants are the consequences of the 
military operations.  It is better to invite the tribal elders to 
Islamabad and find a way out of this problem." 
 
"Dealing With Swat," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/30) 
 
"Quite evidently, the 'inspiration,' if it can be called that, has 
come from events in Swat. The militant onslaught there must be 
stopped before the same kind of mayhem is created in other areas of 
the country.  It is of course better to act late, rather than to 
fail to do so at all.  Our decision makers must remember that as the 
horrific tales from Swat make their way into the international 
media, Pakistan's standing will continue to fall further.  This must 
not be allowed to happen." 
 
"Establishing Government's Writ In Swat Essential," an editorial in 
Karachi based left-wing Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" (Cir. 70,000) 
(01/30) 
 
"Fundamentalism and extremism has been a curse for Pakistan which 
now has turned into Talibanization. American policies and attitude 
have also contributed in aggravating the situation.  To defuse the 
situation, those who are proposing dialogue must not forget the 
outcome of earlier talks, which did not yield positive results." 
 
"Parallel Courts In Swat," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/30) 
"Instead of insisting that the situation is under control, Islamabad 
would do well to admit that things are out of hand.  Only then can 
the executive branch and the military devise a strategy that stands 
a realistic chance of success....  Jirgas, which also represent a 
parallel judiciary system, are held regularly in Sindh, a province 
where they are banned.  Sindh is free of militancy, yet the 
government is powerless to stamp out this barbaric practice.  We are 
waiting to see how it will disallow Taliban courts." 
 
"Open Letter To President Obama," an op-ed by Imran Khan in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(01/30) 
 
"If the new U.S. administration continues the Bush administration's 
mantra of 'do more,' to which our inept leadership is likely to 
respond to by using more force, Pakistan could become even more 
accessible to forces of extremism leading to further instability 
that would spread across the region especially into India which 
already faces problems of extremism and secessionist movements. 
Such a scenario would benefit no one - certainly not Pakistan and 
certainly not the U.S.  That is why your message of meaningful 
change, Mr. President, must guide your policies in this region 
also." 
 
"Outsourcing Security," an op-ed by Ayesha Siddiqa in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (01/30) 
 
"The fact that the Taliban problem has not been resolved as yet is a 
reflection of how outsourcing of security creates problems at 
different levels.  The Americans initially outsourced the war to the 
Pakistani intelligence and Afghan warlords and couldn't roll them 
back.  The Pakistanis subcontracted security work to the Taliban and 
the ball never returned to the GHQ's court.  In Pakistan's case, it 
is more problematic because there have been fears that the military 
has not completely dumped the Taliban, an example of what happens 
when security is outsourced to non-state actors.  The lashkars will 
be no different." 
 
"Israel's War Hysteria, And Peace In The Region," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/30) 
 
"Former President Jimmy Carter has rightly pointed out that 
terrorism cannot be eliminated until the Kashmir and Palestine 
issues are resolved. Even though Mr. Carter was aware of this 
reality during his Presidency, he took no step to resolve these 
issues. However, it would be a great achievement if he is able to 
convince the new U.S. administration of this reality." 
Patterson