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RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000042 
 
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: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, 
PAKISTAN, U.S. POLICIES, INCOMING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION; 
NEW DELHI. 
 
NEW DELHI 00000042  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
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. 
 
------------------------ 
INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS 
------------------------ 
 
¶01. "LET THERE BE NO DIPLOMATIC CHARGE AND COUNTER 
CHARGES," editorial in the January 9 CPI (M) Organ 
GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. "Diplomatic battle has 
gradually been escalating between India and Pakistan in 
the wake of the Mumbai terror attack. A war-like 
situation is being created. However, no organized effort 
is being taken to crush terrorism. Recent attacks have 
made it clear that terrorists are now extremely 
motivated, highly trained and armed with the latest 
weapons. All nations must unite in combating these 
terrorists. Signatories of the UNSC anti terror 
resolution must draw up a comprehensive plan to destroy 
all the terrorist camps. Indian and Pakistani security 
agencies should take effective measures against 
terrorists by exchanging information. Terrorists will 
again try to mount attacks if merely leveling diplomatic 
charges and counter charges continues." 
 
¶02. "PAKISTAN'S ATTITUDE," editorial in January 8 
nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Pakistan is 
not wrong in saying that India is trying to isolate it 
from the rest of the world community. But Pakistan itself 
is no less responsible for this increasing isolation, and 
its pariah image. If Pakistan is not willing to concede 
the involvement of its nationals in the Mumbai massacre, 
despite India's furnishing solid evidence, then what 
other option does India have than to knock on the doors 
of foreign countries? If Pakistan is willing to work with 
India in all earnest to try to remove the scourge of 
terrorism, then where is the need to involve a third 
country? The problem is with Pakistan's unflinching 
attitude - it refuses to cooperate." 
 
-------- 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶03. "OBSCURE," editorial in the January 9 independent 
Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.  "The sacking 
of Durrani and the identification of Kasab have exposed ... 
Pakistan's double-layered leadership. Pakistan can no 
longer suppress its military's covert relationship with 
terrorist culture. Consequently, how the Western nations 
react remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: 
Islamabad does not have any option left to boast about 
its democracy... that there is extreme lack of transparency 
in Islamabad's words and actions is quite evident. If 
external pressures fail to break that obscurity the 
nation's internal compulsions will smash it." 
 
¶04. "PAKISTAN IS THE REAL THREAT" editorial in January 9 
 
NEW DELHI 00000042  002 OF 002 
 
 
Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. 
"...Pakistan's turbulent border areas have become a big 
threat not only to Afghanistan's stability or India's 
security but also for the entire world community... India's 
problem can never be solved until terrorism is totally 
eliminated from Pakistan's soil... on the other hand, 
Afghanistan's situation is now more dangerous than Iraq, 
with the Taliban and Al Qaida becoming stronger with 
Pakistan's help... the question is how could a country 
which nurtures terrorism ... become an ally in a global war 
against it?" 
 
------------- 
U.S. POLICIES 
------------- 
 
¶05. "GOODBYE PRESIDENT BUSH"  Op-Ed article in the 
January 9, 2009 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati 
daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR.  "Come January 20 and George Bush 
will have the prefix 'former' added to his title of 
President of the United States of America.  The last time 
this first citizen of the United States was in the news 
was during his trip to Iraq, when an Iraqi journalist 
flung shoes at him.  However, during his tenure in the 
White House, President Bush has not only witnessed his 
popularity skyrocketing over his fight against terrorism 
but also seen his international image nosedive over the 
costly war in Iraq.  If this was not enough, issues such 
as economic recession, unemployment, healthcare and 
insurance proved the failure of his administration. 
Whatever analysts might have to say, Bush has proven to 
be beneficial at least in as far as India is concerned. 
Future generations in India will fondly remember him for 
his wonderful departing gift, in the form of the nuclear 
deal he gave to India.  On the other hand, the challenge 
before the incoming occupant of the White House is to 
ensure that Al Qaeda doesn't resurface after President 
Bush quits office.  It would be good to see the new 
administration continue Bush's policy of the war against 
terrorism to keep the world safe." 
 
----------------------------- 
INCOMING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION 
----------------------------- 
 
¶06. "OBAMA'S ACTIONS CREATE CONTROVERSY," editorial in 
the January 9 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, 
Kolkata. "Some of the actions taken by President-elect 
Barack Obama have generated controversy in the U.S. At 
the same time, his silence about Israeli attacks in Gaza 
is surprising. Such controversies do not augur well for a 
newly elected President. He must clearly spell out 
whether he supports President Bush's stand or has a 
different viewpoint. Vice President-elect Biden's 
reservations about the nomination of the CIA chief would 
certainly be embarrassing for Obama. A stalemate may 
arise over getting the final Senate approval for 
Panetta's appointment." 
MULFORD