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Viewing cable 09ISLAMABAD201, PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 30, 2009
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09ISLAMABAD201 | 2009-01-30 13:07 | 2011-08-26 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Islamabad |
VZCZCXYZ0001
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301307Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1230
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 8951
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 4838
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 9543
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 6920
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0910
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
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