VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0217/01 0331014
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021014Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1261
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 8956
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 4843
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 9548
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 6925
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0915
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000217 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 02, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports of the "fresh clashes between security forces and 
militants" in Swat valley that killed at least 60 people including 
43 civilians dominated headlines in all newspapers on Monday.  Some 
major dailies highlighted Prime Minister Gilani's statement that the 
"government will adopt a new strategy to avoid collateral damage in 
Swat."  Another important header dealt with the "Davos forum failed 
to come up with any new plan to stem, much less reverse, the global 
financial meltdown."  The United Kingdom Army Chief Jock Stirrup's 
remarks that "U.S. strikes are not helping Pakistan" received wide 
coverage.  Over the weekend, all major dailies gave prominent 
display to the U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson's visit to Pakistan 
and meeting with senior officials. 
 
Today newspapers ran editorials on a variety of subjects including 
the security situation in Swat valley, Pak-Afghan Jirga, and 
bilateral ties with India.  Commenting on the explosive situation of 
insurgency-hit Swat valley, the English daily, "The Nation," noted 
that the Pakistan "Army's involvement became inevitable after the 
government's failure to wrest back the restive region, once a 
popular tourist resort, from the control of Maulvi Fazalluah and his 
accomplices."  Whereas, the other English daily, "The News," 
observed that the "failure of the writ of the state in Swat has been 
progressive throughout the entire tenure of this government, and for 
whatever reason we now face a strong and emboldened 
militant/extremist force who give every impression of being there to 
stay."  The Peshawar-based Urdu daily, "Mashriq," opined that the 
"situation of Waziristan and Wana is also the outcome of our 
negligence and laxity, had the intelligentsia of Pakistan guided the 
nation, no individual would have dared to make Pakistan a colony of 
the United States, or to impose his or her version of Islam on 
others."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Security Forces Regain Control Of Charbagh Swat; 43 Civilians, 16 
Militants, A Soldier Killed As Fight Flares In Swat" "The Nation" 
(02/02) 
 
"At least 60 people, including 16 militants and one soldier, were 
killed and 25 others injured in the fresh clashes between security 
forces and militants in different areas of the Swat Valley on 
Sunday.  According to an ISPR spokesman, security forces have taken 
control of various parts of Swat, including Charbagh, a stronghold 
of the militants." 
 
"New Strategy To Curb Militancy In Swat: Gilani" "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"The government will adopt a new strategy to avoid collateral damage 
in Swat, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Sunday. 
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Gilani said: 'The dialogue did 
not work in Swat.  Therefore, the government has to change its 
strategy from dialogue to military action.  We are looking at 
various options.  We have the capacity and the will.'" 
 
"Locals' Coop Needed To Eliminate Terrorists From Swat: ISPR" 
"Pakistan Observer" (02/02) 
 
"Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major 
General Athar Abbas has said that local people's cooperation is 
critical to eliminate terrorist from the Swat valley.  Speaking in a 
PTV program telecast on Sunday, the DG said 'we are hopeful in 
establishing peace in Swat.  We would not let these militants to 
succeed in their designs.'" 
 
"JI Chief Accuses Establishment For Disturbing Swat Situation" 
"Jasarat" (02/02) 
 
"Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmad has said that military 
operation in Swat is being done under U.S. orders, and the 
intelligence agencies are involved behind blowing up the schools. 
He said that the local people are not even allowed to bury the dead 
bodies and that the establishment is behind worsening the situation 
in Swat." 
 
"Obama Worried About Afghanistan, Not Kashmir" "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"Richard Holbrooke, U.S. President Barack Obama's special 
representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, arrives in Islamabad on 
February 9 for exploratory talks with Pakistani leaders.  And even 
before his schedule was announced, the State Department made it 
obvious that Ambassador Holbrooke had a single-point agenda: winning 
the war in Afghanistan and FATA.  He would not deal with other 
regional issues, certainly not occupied Kashmir." 
 
"No Answer At Davos Forum To Global Meltdown" "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"Mired in indecision and uncertainty, the world's foremost gathering 
of the best and brightest in government and business failed to come 
up with any new plan to stem, much less reverse, the global 
financial meltdown.  The five-day World Economic Forum in this Swiss 
alpine resort wrapped up on Sunday in the same atmosphere of doom 
and gloom that it began, with a realization that the depth of the 
crisis is still unknown and the solution remains elusive." 
 
"U.S. Strikes Not Helping Pakistan, Says U.K. Army Chief" "The News" 
(02/02) 
 
"Peace will only come to Afghanistan if Pakistan can sort out the 
militants on its side of the border, where the U.S. strikes are not 
helping, the head of Britain's armed forces told 'The Sunday Times' 
newspaper.  Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said only long term 
politics could bring peace on both sides of the frontier.  The Chief 
of the defence staff said that weaknesses in Afghan President Hamid 
Karzai's government were causing difficulties for the 8,300 British 
troops battling Taliban in the troubled south of the country." 
 
"Congress To Take Up Pakistan Aid Package Soon" "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"A bipartisan bill that seeks to triple U.S. economic assistance to 
Pakistan will soon be reintroduced in the new Congress, Ambassador 
Husain Haqqani said on Saturday.  'So long as the U.S. considers 
Pakistan an ally, the assistance will not stop,' he said while 
dismissing the impression that the proposed aid package known as the 
Biden-Lugar bill was dead.'" 
 
"No Taliban In Pakistan, Says Ahmad Mukhtar" "The News" (02/02) 
 
"Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said in Faisalabad on 
Sunday, there are no Taliban in Pakistan while foreigner media is 
erroneously portraying tribal people as Taliban." 
 
"Hoti Resigns Over FATA Operation" "The Post" (02/02) 
 
"Federal Minister for Narcotics Mohammad Khan Hoti, announcing his 
resignation from his office due to differences with the party and 
military operation in FATA, has alleged that the provincial 
government has failed to honor its pledges with the masses and has 
left them at the mercy of terrorists.  He made the announcement 
while addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday." 
 
"Terrorism Will Continue To Threaten India" "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"India will continue to face a serious Jihadi terrorist threat but 
lacks military options that have strategic-level effects without a 
significant risk of a military response by Pakistan.  This is one of 
the key conclusions arrived at by Brian Michael Jenkins of US-based 
think tank Rand Corporation in his testimony presented before the 
U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee 
last week (January 28)." 
 
"Pakistan Seeks Solid Proof, Joint Probe" "The Nation" (2/02) 
 
"In its response to Indian dossier on Mumbai attacks, most likely to 
be communicated tomorrow (Tuesday), Pakistan has sought concrete 
evidence and also urged New Delhi to drop its opposition to 
Islamabad's proposal of joint investigations, said a senior official 
in Islamabad on Sunday desiring not to be named." 
 
"Two Sets Of Queries Sent" "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"Pakistan is probing the Mumbai terror attacks in a manner an 
investigating agency should proceed and has sent two sets of 
questions to India's dossier handed over to it, one of which has 
already been replied to, India's National Security Adviser M.K. 
Narayanan said on Sunday, Mr. Narayanan told CNN-IBN channel." 
 
"Pakistan 'Taking Dossier Seriously'" Narayanan" "Daily Times" 
(02/02) 
 
"Pakistan appears to be taking the Indian dossier of evidence on the 
Mumbai terrorist attacks seriously so far, Indian National Security 
Adviser M.K. Narayanan said on Sunday, but added that India would 
'wait and see.'" 
 
"Narayanan, Mukherjee Differ On Pak Response" "The Nation" (2/02) 
 
"In an interview with CNN-IBN, Indian National Security Adviser M.K. 
Narayanan's disclosure that Pakistan has reverted to India with 
regard to dossier about Mumbai attacks appears to have generated 
confusion as External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has 
maintained that there has been no official response from 
Islamabad." 
 
"U.S. Congresswoman Seeks Law To Resolve Women Issues" "The News" 
(02/01) 
 
"U.S. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has underlined the need to formulate 
proper legislation aimed at resolving the issues faced by the women 
folk of the country.  She said this while addressing female 
journalists in a meeting held in Islamabad at U.S. Embassy on 
Saturday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Swat Flare-Up," an editorial in the center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/02) 
 
"The Army's involvement became inevitable after the government's 
failure to wrest back the restive region, once a popular tourist 
resort (Swat), from the control of Maulvi Fazlullah and his 
accomplices....  It is time its leadership put its act together and 
sincerely endeavored to contain the growth of terrorism, renouncing 
the policies of the clerics who have turned the province into the 
militants' stronghold." 
 
"The Wake-Up Call," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/02) 
 
"The failure of the writ of the state in Swat has been progressive 
throughout the entire tenure of this government, and for whatever 
reason we now face a strong and emboldened militant/extremist force 
who give every impression of being there to stay.  Recent moves to 
challenge them on their own turf may be belated, but they may just 
avert a complete loss of both writ and territory." 
 
"We Should Review Our Mistakes," an editorial in the Peshawar-based 
Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (02/02) 
 
"About three decades ago, one of our military dictators had decided 
to put forward his agenda as Islamic Jihad to show his allegiance to 
the United States, and consequently Pakistan had become a hub of 
'Mujahedeen.'  It was the responsibility of the politicians, 
scholars and intellectuals of Pakistani society to let the nation 
know the ground realities and the intentions of the dictator, but 
they did not perform their duty.  Likewise, the situation of 
Waziristan and Wana is also the outcome of our negligence and 
laxity, had the intelligentsia of Pakistan guided the nation, no 
individual would have dared to make Pakistan a colony of the United 
States, or to impose his or her version of Islam on others." 
 
"Creating A Safe Space," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/02) 
 
"This is not a war between nation states, it is a form of civil 
warfare and there is not going to be any armistice, no unilateral 
laying down of arms on all sides and a concerted rebuilding.  There 
is not going to be the kind of peace that applies across entire 
territories either....  It is in the space between war and peace 
that the army, civil society organizations and the national and 
international NGOs need to work together to provide the social glue 
that will begin to stick it all back together again - which is 
precisely what the Taliban do not want to happen." 
 
"Pak-Afghan Jirga," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/02) 
"Both countries' decision to convene Jirga is an effort to stabilize 
and bring peace to the tribal areas.  The Jirga would be able to 
bring forth the political option, as the tribal elders would be 
asked to ensure that no militants - local or foreign - are to be 
given shelter in the tribal areas.  In a bid to continue their 
efforts to fighting terrorism, to stop the cross-border activities 
and smuggling of narcotics, combined jirgas can play a very useful 
role....  Holding combined Jirgas would build mutual trust between 
Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead both nations, as well as the 
entire region, towards security, peace, social and economic 
prosperity." 
 
"IISS Report And President Zardari's Efforts To End American 
Attacks," an editorial in Karachi based left-wing Sindhi Daily 
"Awami Awaz" (Cir. 70,000) (02/02) 
 
"Report by IISS has warned us again that the allied forces are 
losing war in Afghanistan, and the continued U.S. drone attacks are 
making Pakistan, the most active ally of war on terror, angry. 
President Zardari, along with Prime Minister keeps demanding an end 
to these attacks which after all question Pakistan's sovereignty. 
We believe that the U.S. should respect authority of Pakistani 
government over its land.  The anger and hatred among Pakistani 
population could cause damage which no one else but the U.S. and its 
Pakistani ally President Zardari have to bear." 
 
"Sad Story Of Dr. Aafia And Our Helplessness," an editorial note in 
the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) 
(02/02) 
 
"If we cannot bring back Dr. Aafia Siddiqi to Pakistan from the U.S. 
detention center, and bring the culprit to justice, we don't deserve 
the title of a free and independent nation." 
 
"Military Commanders' Meeting And National Security," an editorial 
in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5,000) (02/02) 
 
"India should give up its aggressive designs and come to the 
negotiating table.  It should resolve every issue peacefully and 
resume the suspended dialogue process with Pakistan.  Otherwise, 
India's political and military leadership should not forget that 
Pakistani forces are fully prepared to defend the country, and that 
they enjoy the nation's wholehearted support." 
 
"India's War Plans And Our Effective Preparations," an editorial in 
the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (02/02) 
 
"BJP's Rajanath Singh has said that if his party comes to power in 
India, it would conduct surgical strikes inside Pakistan to destroy 
terrorist camps.  On the other hand, Indian Army Chief General 
Deepak Kapoor has again threatened that the army remains prepared to 
attack Pakistan, and is awaiting a signal from the political 
leadership....  By saying that it is prepared for war means that 
India has an aggressive agenda and if not war, it will certainly go 
for surgical strikes the moment it gets a chance.  Therefore, there 
is no need to delude ourselves further, or to trust U.S. and British 
reassurances as it was due to these countries' assurances in 1965 
and 1971 that we suffered such a loss...  We should fortify our 
defense and remain fully prepared to give a befitting response to 
India." 
 
"Deception Of Change Of American Policies," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" 
(cir. 3,000) (02/02) 
 
"President Obama's aides in Washington are reportedly drafting a 
letter for Iran.  Iran on the other hand has suggested that before 
doing that U.S. should withdraw its troops from foreign territories, 
and should apologize to Iran for past injustice done to it.  We 
believe that unless Obama reverse Bush's policies, changes its 
perception and understanding of Iran, positive change will not 
occur, and contradiction in words and actions will not help resolve 
the problem either." 
Patterson