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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000147 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP, AC, PM 
 
STATE FOR INR/MR 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
STATE FOR AID/APRE-A 
 
USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CORONATION OF OBAMA; NEW DELHI. 
 
This countrywide cable reports on relevant media 
reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. 
The Mission reports on English-language media via email 
through the daily "Early Edition" summary. 
 
-------------------- 
CORONATION OF OBAMA 
-------------------- 
 
¶1. "BIRTH OF A NEW DREAM," editorial in January 22 
centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "In the U.S., 
thousands will attend a rock concert, but it gets tough 
to get even a hundred people to a political gathering. 
But they came for Obama -- in thousands, braving the 
numbing cold. So, what made them come in such large 
numbers? It's the man's charisma - his audacity of hope. 
Usually professional speech writers write presidential 
speeches. But it is believed that Obama penned his own 
lines. Perhaps that is why it came out as so honest - 
without rhetoric and theatrics! But the road is not 
smooth for Obama. In history, no other President has seen 
shares and stocks plummet to such low levels on his 
inauguration day. In India, there is much concern and 
apprehension over what Obama's strategy in this region 
will be. For Indians, it is better to keep shut and not 
indulge in speculative rhetoric until the Obama 
Administration puts its cards on the table." 
 
¶2. "HOPE FROM OBAMA," editorial in 22 January right-of- 
center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "It is perhaps the 
first time the rest of the world is investing as much 
hope in a U.S. president as are the Americans. He is 
under tremendous pressure to show immediate results on 
both national and international fronts. But given the 
complexity of the situation one should also consider that 
he has neither taken over as the world's president, nor 
does he have a magic wand. India also has high hopes as 
he hinted that Afghanistan and Pakistan were his 
priority. But he would not necessarily solve the problem 
of terrorism the way India wants. India's reaction is 
understandable on Obama's linking terrorism to the 
Kashmir issue, but it is meaningless to be extra 
skeptical or defensive. Similarly, India should also not 
expect him to resolve those problems that it has to 
tackle itself. Terrorism is such a problem. Whatever may 
be Obama's policy toward terrorism in Pakistan, India 
should have a concrete policy of its own on which it 
could also show a little firmness." 
 
¶3. "UNITED STATES OF OBAMA" editorial in the January 23, 
2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati evening daily 
JANMABHOOMI.  "Barack Obama's words 'Yes, we can' have 
demonstrated that dreams can be converted into a 
reality.  The people of America and across the globe have 
high expectations from this leader who has promised 
change.  However, what is important to keep in mind here 
is that any change requires time and patience.  The aura 
of optimism and self-confidence surrounding Obama infuses 
enthusiasm in the midst of economic recession and other 
national and international challenges facing the new 
administration. 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00000147  002 OF 004 
 
 
¶4. "OBAMA'S FLIGHT" (i.e. Soaring Performance) editorial 
in the January 23, 2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center 
Marathi daily  LOKSATTA.  "On the very first day in the 
Oval Office, President Barack Obama struck the right 
warning note to Pakistan. He said U.S. aid to Pakistan 
will depend on Pakistan's wholehearted cooperation in the 
war on terror. Naturally, this warning has upset the 
Pakistani establishment. Pakistan's ambassador to the 
U.S., Hussain Huqqani, said Obama seemed biased against 
Pakistan and that such threats will compel Pakistan to 
review its ties with the U.S. That kind of diplomatic 
response is not unlikely. Pakistan's foreign policy is 
made up of narrow blackmailing strategies." 
 
¶5. "HILLARY'S NEW ROLE" editorial in the January 23, 
2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily 
MAHARASHTRA TIMES.  "Finally Hillary Clinton has made it 
to the post of Secretary of State. The delay for the 
appointment was caused by an objection raised against her 
husband, the ex-president Bill Clinton's fundraising 
foundation.  Concerns were raised in the senate about the 
foundation's acceptance of large donations from foreign 
countries and companies that could conflict with 
Clinton's work as the Secretary of State. However, 
Hillary Clinton seems to have won that battle. Now the 
world is waiting for some results. As a former first 
lady, she has a good understanding of foreign relations. 
As a senator, Hillary Clinton did not make much of an 
impact, other than positioning herself to take the plunge 
in the presidential race." 
 
¶6. "BARACK OBAMA'S COMMENDABLE FIRMNESS," editorial in 
the January 23 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali daily BARTAMAN. 
"Obama's cautioning Pakistan clearly shows that he has 
not forgotten his electoral promises. People expect 
exactly this from a politician. The peace-loving, anti- 
terror international community hopes that the President 
of the most powerful nation will try to translate his 
words into action. Obama has done a commendable job by 
threatening to stop civilian assistance to Pakistan. He 
is not yielding to Pakistan's blackmailing. Indian 
politicians should learn a lesson from it." 
 
¶7. "POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE," editorial in the January 23 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"President Obama's foreign policy statement has mixed 
significance for India. It's both positive and negative. 
India does not figure in the list of Asian countries 
identified by Obama as allies of the U.S. That a 
Democratic President returned to the White House after 
eight years and the text of his first foreign policy 
statement does not mention the name of the U.S.' natural 
ally -- India -- is significant indeed! During Bush's 
regime U.S.-India relations achieved a new dimension. 
Against this backdrop, it is a natural concern if India 
fades from Washington's diplomatic radar. However, India 
may take some solace for the time being from Obama 
getting tough on Afghanistan, and warning Pakistan. Maybe 
Obama's Washington will not loudly exhibit Indo-U.S. 
friendship but will do nothing that negatively impacts 
India. Obama will have to maintain a balance between the 
Democratic lobby's 'anti-India' stance and India's 
 
NEW DELHI 00000147  003 OF 004 
 
 
importance to the U.S...." 
 
¶8. "EXPECTATIONS FROM OBAMA" editorial in the January 23 
Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN.  "What 
Obama has inherited is an unending bloody war against 
terrorism and a declining American economy. Both the 
terrorist forces and the warmongers in the U.S. do not 
want this war to end, and Obama may not be able to 
completely break this cycle, but he will definitely try. 
What the world expects from Obama is that his leadership 
brings about peace and harmony, and not war.  The coming 
months will show whether Obama's America is ready for 
that or not." 
 
¶9. "OBAMA AND EXPECTATIONS", editorial in January 21 
right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "If Obama 
had reached the White House as an ordinary President in 
usual circumstances, it would have been an unremarkable 
occasion. But he is not an ordinary President. The eyes 
of the entire world are at present focused on him, 
particularly those of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and 
Palestine, and those of prisoners in Abu Graib and 
Guantanamo, who have been detained without prosecution 
and subjected to physical, mental and psychological 
torture. Will Obama choose to play a key role in getting 
them justice? The previous President entrapped them in 
such a quagmire through his oppressive approach that they 
cannot even demand justice. Will Obama take care of 
democracy, liberty and human rights in their strict and 
real senses? Democracy meant oppression, liberty meant 
slavery and human rights meant supremacy of aggressors 
under the regime of Bush. Obama is considered a ray of 
hope. If he does not fulfill the aspirations of the 
people, a crisis deeper than the prevailing economic 
crisis will be inevitable." 
 
¶10. "HOPES WITH OBAMA", editorial in January 22 right-of- 
center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: "It is true 
that American democracy has given the world a new 
dimension, a new ideology and a lesson of respect for 
humanity, which may be considered as an ideal for 
humanity. But, it is also true that American aggression 
has written an unparalleled history of tyranny and 
brutality. To harass the weak and feeble in order to 
demonstrate its strength and sovereignty; to hatch 
conspiracies to snatch the wealth of others; to trample 
all principles in order to justify the existence of its 
adopted son, Israel; to make efforts to demarcate new 
geographical borders and supply weapons of destruction 
the world over -- these are some of the black deeds of 
America that have brought its rulers disrepute throughout 
the world. Barack Hussein Obama is the beginning of a new 
era in the history of America. The whole world has 
expectations for him. It will be interesting to watch 
what changes Obama's team brings during its 4-year 
tenure. We hope that, in the new century, Obama will be a 
powerful, strong and positive President of America, a 
President who will try to clean the image of America, and 
learn lessons from the errors, flaws and shortcomings of 
the past." 
 
¶11. "KNOCK AT THE DOOR FOR A CHANGE", editorial in 
 
NEW DELHI 00000147  004.3 OF 004 
 
 
January 22 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA, 
New Delhi: "People say that everything changes in America 
except its policies. Heads of government change every 
four years but America's behavior with the third world 
never changes. Sometimes Republicans come to power and 
other times Democrats occupy the chair, but the modus 
operandi of policy framers in the American Senate and 
American Congress never changes. Every time the American 
people elect their new President with great pomp and 
show, but the President-elect does nothing except post 
its puppets in countries around the world. Advocating for 
a better democratic system in their country, the American 
statesmen think it safe to safeguard the interests of 
dictators, emperors and hot-headed rulers in other 
countries. These champions of democracy often extend 
their cooperation to non-democratic governments in allied 
countries. But this time, the world is sensing a change 
knocking on the door of world politics." 
 
¶12. "INTENTIONS OF OBAMA", editorial in January 22 right- 
of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "It is evident 
from his speech that talks of the change Obama has called 
for, it is not made up of lies, selfishness and frauds. 
The situation seems to be a bit different. Since he hails 
from a different racial, family, economic and social 
background, his words and intentions therefore cannot be 
discarded. Hoping he will keep his words, billions of 
people throughout the world have belief and confidence in 
Obama. On one hand there are a number of issues, while on 
the other there is a mountain of hopes and expectations. 
In our opinion, this is the real and greatest challenge 
before Obama. History will feel proud of him, if he 
stands successful in meeting that challenge." 
 
¶13. "THESE FOUR YEARS............!" editorial in January 22 
right-of-center Urdu daily URDU TIMES, Mumbai: "No doubt, 
the period of George W. Bush was the worst period in the 
history of mankind. But to suppose that the period of 
Barack Hussein Obama will remove all stains of tyrannies 
perpetrated during Bush's rule is to live in a fool's 
paradise. What Bush did during his 8-year tenure cannot 
be credited to Bush's account alone. Those were the pre- 
conceived and well-deliberated decisions of the Bush 
administration and the American government. The 
Presidency of Obama is the beginning of the rule of 
slaves. The person who took the oath in the White House 
on January 20 is a son of those slaves who shed their 
blood in constructing it in 1792. Besides, it is a fact 
that the real rulers of America are Neo-Cons -- i.e. 
White Anglo Saxon Protestant (WASP) Christians, who are 
dedicated to serving Zionism, and protecting the Zionist 
imperialist capitalist system." 
WHITE