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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 15, 2009 
 
Summary:  Most Pakistani newspapers on Thursday highlighted remarks 
attributed to Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor that "Indian 
military is ready for a war" (with Pakistan).  Also covered were 
remarks by Pakistan Foreign Office terming the statement as "most 
unfortunate."  The English daily, "Dawn," ran as lead story 
spokesman McCormack remarks that "both India and Pakistan have 
successfully managed the tensions that followed the Mumbai terrorist 
attacks."  All newspapers reported that Prime Minister Gilani 
reciprocated to the "New Year's Greetings" of his Indian 
counterpart, and reiterated "Pakistan's desire for friendly and 
cooperative relations with India."  The English daily, "The News," 
in an exclusive story reported that "the concerned authorities in 
Pakistan are likely to recommend to the Parliament to abandon the 
proposed $7.6 billion IPI gas pipeline project with Iran demanding 
higher gas prices." 
 
Major newspapers focused editorials on the inauguration of the new 
U.S. administration and the possible direction of the U.S. foreign 
policy.  The English daily, "Dawn," noted that "the good news is 
that key players in America are not in favor of a purely military 
approach to Pakistan. Ms. Clinton is hardly a gung-ho figure. Expect 
her to not take a back seat to the defense department."  Another 
English daily, "The News," noted that "from a high point in 2003 the 
neocons influence has gradually waned, and now it may indeed be the 
time for the writing of their obituary.  There is going to a 
multilateralist in the White House, a man committed to diplomacy and 
seemingly willing to talk to those who have not been talked to in 
recent years."  Nationalist English daily, "The Nation," wrote: 
"Hillary Clinton's words, underscoring the need 'to pursue policies 
that improve the lives of the Afghan and Pakistani people' and to 
forge 'deeper engagement' with Islamabad and Kabul and other 
countries it the region, sound close to the concept of dealing with 
the causes that give rise to militancy than the present policy of 
mainly relying on armed action."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Indian Military Ready For War" "The Nation" (01/15) 
 
"Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor has said that Army is ready 
for all options to attack Pakistan but the government will take the 
final decision in this regard....  'It must be clearly understood 
that we are keeping all our options open whether diplomatic, 
economic or as a last resort, the military one,' he said." 
 
"Indian Army Chief Statement 'Most Unfortunate': FO" "The News" 
(01/15) 
 
"Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq on Wednesday termed 
statements from Indian leaders most unfortunate.  He said Pakistan 
was making every effort to defuse tensions in South Asia and had 
repeatedly stated that it was prepared to extend its cooperation to 
India." 
 
"Pak-India Tensions Managed, Says U.S." "Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"Both India and Pakistan have successfully managed the tensions that 
followed the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the U.S. State Department 
said on Wednesday, downplaying media reports that both countries had 
deployed additional troops on their border.  Spokesman Sean 
McCormack said the two sides had managed tensions well and he did 
not see the situation going out of hand." 
 
"U.S. Urges India, Pak To Share More Info On Mumbai Attacks" "The 
Nation" (01/15) 
 
"The United States has said it would like to see more exchange of 
information between India and Pakistan on investigations related to 
Mumbai attack, so that you can get to the bottom of exactly who was 
responsible, see the entire plot and hold all responsible for their 
actions, State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack told reporters 
on Wednesday." 
 
"India Urged To Avoid Fuelling Tension; Gilani Sends Goodwill 
Message" "Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated 
Pakistan's desire for friendly and cooperative relations with India, 
Gilani said in a message to his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan 
Singh, thanking him for his New Year greetings.  'May the New Year 
bring peace to our region and progress and prosperity to our 
people,' Mr. Gilani said." 
 
"IPI Gas Plan May Not See The Light Of Day" "The News" (01/15) 
 
"With Iran demanding higher gas prices, authorities concerned in 
Pakistan are likely to recommend to the Parliament to abandon the 
proposed $7.6 billion IPI gas pipeline project, a Petroleum Ministry 
officials on anonymity revealed to 'The News' in Islamabad on 
Wednesday." 
 
"U.K. Supports Prosecution Of Suspects In Pakistan" "Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"Rejecting India's demand for extradition of 'suspects' of the 
Mumbai attacks, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said 
the U.K. supports their prosecution in Pakistan as they have 'broken 
the law' of that country, Mr. Miliband said in Karan (India) 
Thapar's 'Devil's Advocate' program." 
 
"World Should Help Pakistan Fight Terrorism: Miliband" "Daily Times" 
(01/15) 
 
"British Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged the world community 
on Wednesday to help Pakistan fight the war on terror, according to 
a private TV channel." 
 
"Response To Dossier In A Week" "The Nation" (01/15) 
 
"Pakistan has finalized its formal response to India's dossier on 
Mumbai attacks and it will be given to New Delhi in a week's time 
with reiteration of offer for joint probe and also describing the 
so-called Indian evidence as scanty and insufficient, said a senior 
official in Islamabad on Wednesday desiring not to be named." 
 
"Pattern Of Evasiveness In Pak Response" "Daily Times" (01/15) 
 
"India said on Wednesday that Pakistan's response to the Mumbai 
terror attacks reflects a 'continuing pattern of evasiveness and 
denial,' and claimed that statements by Pakistani leaders reinforce 
doubts over Islamabad's capacity to act against terror.  The 
comments by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee came in 
response to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's statement that what 
India had provided Pakistan was information, not evidence." 
 
"India To Approach UNSC For Custody Of Masood Azhar" "Daily Times" 
(01/15) 
 
"India is considering moving the UNSC for extradition of Masood 
Azhar, chief of the banned Jaish-e-Muhammad, CNN-IBN reported on its 
website." 
 
"LT Commander Furious At Jamaatud Dawa Leaders" "The News" (01/15) 
 
"Chief operational commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LT) Zakiur Rehman 
Lakhvi, arrested on December 10 by the Pakistani authorities in the 
wake of the Mumbai attacks, is furious at the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) 
leadership's decision to publicly disown him in his hour of trial 
instead of trying to bail him out." 
 
"Indian Foreign Policy To Make Dictator Proud, Says Report" "Dawn" 
(01/15) 
 
"Although India is the world's most populous democracy, its current 
foreign policy often would make a confirmed dictator proud, says a 
U.S. human rights report released on Wednesday.  'The Indian 
government lacks the will and capacity to implement many laws and 
policies designed to ensure the protection of rights,' observes 
Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based rights group." 
 
"India, U.S. Discuss Missile Defence" "The Post" (01/15) 
 
"Concerned about the threats emerging from Pakistan in the wake of 
the November terror attack in Mumbai and the predominant position of 
China, official sources told Asia Times Online that there had been 
considerable acceleration in India-U.S. efforts to jointly build a 
ballistic missile defense (BMD) system. 
 
"Govt. Agreed Not To Challenge Musharraf's Actions: HRW" "Dawn" 
(01/15) 
 
"U.S. air raids have been a political liability for President Asif 
Ali Zardari, who has called on the U.S. to stop them, says a human 
rights group....  The report claims that the new government has 
accepted demands from the army for transfer of power on the basis of 
'legal continuity, whereby the new government would not challenge 
the legal basis of Pervez Musharraf's rule nor attempt to hold him 
or the army legally accountable for the former president's coups and 
abuses during his time in power.'" 
 
"U.S. Invites NA Defence Committee For Briefing" "Daily Times" 
(01/15) 
 
"The U.S. has invited the National Assembly's Defence Committee to 
the U.S. to brief the Pakistani lawmakers on Washington's efforts 
against terrorism, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday.  The 
U.S. ambassador had sent the invitation to NA Speaker Dr Fehmida 
Mirza a few days ago, according to the channel.  The U.S. Embassy 
in Islamabad was still awaiting a reply." 
 
"Obama supports Pakistan economic aid expansion" "Daily Times," "The 
News" (01/15) 
 
"United States Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton on 
Wednesday assured lawmakers of President-elect Barack Obama's 
support for a congressional measure tripling non-military assistance 
for Pakistan.  Clinton also vowed to pursue a 'positive' 
relationship with Pakistan towards addressing the 'tough and 
complicated' problem of extremism afflicting the region." 
 
"United States Provides Security Equipment To The Frontier Police" 
"Daily Times," "The News," "The Nation," "The Post," "Jang," 
"Express" (01/15) 
 
"The United States Government, through the Narcotics Affairs Section 
(NAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, will provide a total of $4.1 
million in security equipment to the Frontier Police in Peshawar." 
 
"Pakistan Torn Over How To Handle Taliban" "Daily Times" (01/15) 
 
"After years of allowing Taliban to operate in the Tribal Areas, 
Pakistan is now torn over how to respond to the United States' calls 
for a decisive action against the extremists.  Islamabad is under 
intense pressure from Washington, other western nations and Kabul to 
eliminate Taliban and Al Qaeda havens in the tribal belt, from where 
fighters are said to stage attacks on foreign forces in Afghanistan. 
 But experts say Pakistan's desire to please the U.S., a vital 
political and military ally, has run up against its own strategic 
interests in the region and its loyalty to Pashtuns, the predominant 
ethnicity among the Taliban.  'Pakistan's Taliban policy has 
suffered from indecisiveness, inconsistency and ambiguity,' 
political analyst Hasan Askari told AFP." 
 
"Torkham Sealed To Prevent Entry Of Militants From Afghanistan" 
"Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"Security forces carrying out an operation against militants in 
Landi Kotal imposed a day-long curfew and demolished houses of four 
suspected militants on Wednesday.  The Torkham border was sealed to 
prevent the entry of Afghans into the area." 
 
"U.S. Seeks Supply Route Via Kazakhstan" "Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"The United States is talking to Kazakhstan about using the former 
Soviet Republic as a transit point for supplies to NATO troops in 
Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command Chief General David Petraeus said 
on Wednesday." 
 
"Supplies To NATO Forces Resume" "The News" (01/15) 
 
"Supplies to the NATO forces resumed early Wednesday after a brief 
suspension on account of the military operation in the Khyber 
Agency." 
 
"TTP Claims Attack On Containers" "The News" (01/15) 
 
"The Mohmand Agency chapter of banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan 
(TTP) on Wednesday claimed to have fired rockets on NATO containers 
and threatened more such attacks if the government did not halt 
operation in tribal areas." 
 
"DSP Gunned Down In Quetta" "Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"A DSP and three police personnel were killed when gunmen attacked 
their vehicle here on Wednesday.  The Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, a banned 
extremist organisation, claimed responsibility for the killing." 
 
"Gaza Toll 1,023 As Peace Hopes Rise" "The Nation" (01/15) 
 
"Israel sought to tighten the screw on Hamas on Wednesday as the 
death from its war on Gaza passed 1,023, carrying out new bombing 
raids and waging more street battles as hopes rose of a ceasefire." 
 
"Over 300 Children Among Gaza Dead, Says UNICEF" "Dawn" (01/15) 
 
"The head of the UN children's agency said on Wednesday that more 
than 300 children had been killed and over 1,500 wounded in Gaza 
because of Israeli offensive.  Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of 
UNICEF, said in a statement released on Wednesday that children and 
their families were trapped in relentless violence." 
 
"Red Cross Shocked At Gaza Situation" "The News" (01/15) 
 
"The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is 'shocking,' the 
head of the International Committee of the Red Cross said after a 
visit to a hospital in the embattled territory." 
 
"Usama Urges Jihad Against Israel" "The Nation" (01/15) 
 
"Al Qaeda Chief Usama bin Laden urged Muslims to launch Jihad 
against Israel and condemned Arab governments as allies of the 
Jewish state in a new message aimed at harnessing anger in the 
Mideast over the Gaza offensive." 
 
"Sensitive Leaks To U.S. Media Cost Durrani His Job" "The News" 
(01/15) 
 
"Maj. Gen. (R) Mehmud Ali Durrani was sacked as National Security 
Advisor for leaking information about Zarar Shah, a leader of the 
banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LT), to the U.S. media, an official confided 
to 'The News' in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
"Govt. Decides Not To Appoint New Security Adviser" "The News" 
(01/15) 
 
The government has decided not to appoint a new national security 
adviser after the sacking of Mehmud Ali Durrani, a Federal Minister, 
who claims to be close to President Asif Ali Zardari as well as the 
Prime Minister told 'The News' in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"U.S. Diplomacy And Pakistan," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/15) 
 
"Unsurprisingly, Ms. Clinton was short on specifics - those will 
become apparent in the weeks and months ahead.  Yet, from a 
Pakistani perspective, there were several clues about what lies 
ahead.  First, a healthy dose of realism: Pakistan does not lie at 
the centre of the American universe....  For Pakistan it is 
important to remember that the country is only one, albeit an 
important, piece in the global jigsaw puzzle that the American 
diplomatic corps led by Ms. Clinton will need to assess and 
assemble....  The good news is that key players in America are not 
in favor of a purely military approach to Pakistan....  Ms. Clinton 
is hardly a gung-ho figure.  Expect her to not take a back seat to 
the defence department." 
 
"Decline Of The Neocons," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/15) 
 
"Beyond the American failure in Iraq and something considerably less 
than success in Afghanistan, there lies a deeper and more 
fundamental failure....  We may now come to understand that the 
neocons belonged to the last century, and that the new American 
century is going to be shaped by Obama....  From a high point in 
2003 the neocons influence has gradually waned, and now it may 
indeed be the time for the writing of their obituary. There is going 
to be a multilateralist in the White House, a man committed to 
diplomacy and seemingly willing to talk to those who have not been 
talked to in recent years." 
 
"New Approach Afoot?," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/15) 
 
"Hillary Clinton's words, underscoring the need 'to pursue policies 
that improve the lives of the Afghan and Pakistani people' and to 
forge 'deeper engagement' with Islamabad and Kabul and other 
countries in the region, sound closer to the concept of dealing with 
the causes that give rise to militancy than the present policy of 
mainly relying on armed action.....  Therefore, whatever steps the 
U.S. might take would fall short of achieving the objective of 
restoring peaceful conditions unless a clear strategy of vacating 
the country is adopted.  The sooner that realization takes places 
the better for everyone." 
 
"Biden's 'Package' And Our Response," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (01/15) 
 
"It is easy to ordain in a fiery column that Pakistan should look 
for "other friends" but no one points out where to go to find 
someone willing to part with the kind of money America is willing to 
spend on Pakistan.  The crux of the problem is our refusal to grasp 
the danger extremism and terrorism pose to us and the world.  If the 
Biden-Lugar money is tainted in our minds because it will force us 
to 'fight our own people,' let us not forget that the entire world 
including China supports America's war against terrorism without the 
willingness to give us the money we need." 
 
"Need Of Unity Among Muslim States," an editorial note in the 
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(01/15) 
 
"Ever since Pakistan's creation our rulers followed the U.S. 
policies blindly, but the United States never considered Pakistan as 
its true friend, or a trustworthy ally.  Whenever Pakistan 
confronted hard time, the U.S. never came to help out Pakistan.  On 
the contrary, the U.S. all the time extended its full support to 
India and Israel.  Following 9/11 incidents, it was Pakistan that 
made sacrifices for the U.S., and played pivotal role in the war on 
terror, but it (U.S.) made a nuclear deal with India.  Indeed, the 
U.S. spared no opportunity to destabilize Pakistan from within.  To 
deal with all internal and external threats, there is a need to 
create national unity and reconciliation in the country and to 
struggle on diplomatic fronts to improve Pakistan's image 
worldwide." 
 
"Use Of Power Is Not The Solution To Global Issues," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/15) 
 
"Admiral Mike Mullen has said that use of U.S. military might is not 
the solution to all global issues and that it is through diplomacy 
and civilian channels that issues can be resolved....  The U.S. 
administration must heed what Mike Mullen has said so that we can 
see positive results in efforts to ensure global peace and eliminate 
terror - goals that the Bush administration could not achieve in its 
eight years." 
 
"Horror Amid The Hills," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/15) 
 
"The situation in Swat is grotesque.  It is shameful that we have 
allowed this to happen in our midst; that in Islamabad the 
government keeps up pretence of normalcy and claims it is succeeding 
against militancy.  The situation in Swat receives sporadic media 
attention; occasionally human rights activists speak out against it. 
 Far more urgent action is needed.  There is not time any longer to 
watch and wait.  The federal government needs to intervene to stop 
the atrocities in Swat." 
 
"Miliband's Defense Of Pakistan's Stand In Presence Of Mukherjee," 
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" 
(cir. 10,000) (01/15) 
 
"British Foreign Minister David Miliband has told the entire world 
that Pakistan, as a state, has no role in the Mumbai carnage.... 
Now the Indian leaders must open their eyes, and abandon this 
mudslinging approach right away.  However, if India continues to 
intensify tension, and build up pressure on Pakistan, it (Pakistan) 
will be left with no option except to relocate its all troops from 
Afghan border to its eastern boundary, and neither the U.S., nor 
Britain would tolerate that move, as it will certainly hamper the 
ongoing global drive against terrorism." 
 
"Pakistan: Indian Allegations, Britain's Denial," an editorial in 
the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (01/15) 
 
"The statement by Britain's Foreign Minister shows that the country 
has categorically rejected Indian stand vis-`-vis Mumbai attacks. 
Prior to this, America has also officially said that Pakistan 
intelligence or government was not involved in the Mumbai incidents. 
 The Government of Pakistan should also contact other friendly 
countries to help India see reason in this regard." 
 
"Truthfulness Of British Foreign Minister," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 125,000) (01/15) 
 
"British Foreign Minister David Miliband, addressing joint press 
conference with Indian coounterpart in New Delhi, opposed 
extradition of Mumbai attack accused arrested in Pakistan to India. 
He said that the state of Pakistan was not involved in the Mumbai 
attack....  Everyone in the west is not Bush or Tony, some are 
truthful and we understand that Miliband is one of those....  Now 
both Pakistan and Britain should also condemn the barbarity that 
continued under Bush." 
 
"Quibble On 'Information' And 'Evidence'," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (01/15) 
 
"This is a most unfortunate quibbling on the words 'evidence' and 
'information.'...  Pakistan must cooperate through an honest 
investigation of the 'information' provided by India and see if it 
becomes 'evidence.'" 
 
"Blood Is Spilling In Streets Of Gaza," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (01/15) 
 
"It is ironical that the U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has 
miserably failed to raise his voice against this naked aggression, 
which amounts to active encouragement to the Jewish State to 
continue with its repressive agenda.  This partisan approach will 
make it difficult for him to play any role for resolution of the 
Middle East conflict without which there can't be any durable peace 
in the region." 
 
"Shah Abdullah's Timely Concern," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (01/15) 
 
"In a message Conveyed Through Prince Maqran, Saudi King Abdullah 
has urged the Pakistani political leadership to unite and pay 
attention to defense and the economy....  A very important part of 
the King's message is that 'Pakistan is the most important country 
of the Muslim world and the entire Muslim world wants to see a 
strong Pakistan.'...  Today, if India is bent upon harming Pakistan, 
the reason is that it is by harming and weakening Pakistan that it 
can gain supremacy over the Muslim world. Seen in this perspective, 
King Abdullah's concern is very timely and important, and our 
leadership should heed it." 
 
 
Patterson