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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000241 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 04, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports that the "U.S. and NATO supply line disrupted as 
an important bridge on the Peshawar-Torkham road was blown up" 
dominated headlines in all newspapers on Wednesday.  Also 
front-paged were reports from Washington that a "classified Pentagon 
report urges President Obama to shift U.S. strategy in Afghanistan - 
to focus on ensuring regional stability and eliminating Taliban and 
Al-Qaeda from Pakistan."  Prime Minister's Gilani's decision to 
"lift ban on recruitment in government services, and dissolve the 
task force on employment" received prominent coverage.  Several 
major newspapers reported that "violence claimed 14 lives in 
Baluchistan."  The English daily, "Dawn," reported that "over 70 
militants were killed by security forces during fierce clashes in 
Swat on Monday and Tuesday." 
 
Most major dailies ran critical editorials on the abduction of an 
American citizen who is the senior UNHCR official in Quetta.  The 
independent English daily, "Dawn," observed that "it is an ominous 
development that sends all the wrong signals to foreign and local 
agencies providing aid to those who desperately need assistance." 
The Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times," noted that "Mr. 
Solecki was an extremely 'valuable' victim because of his status as 
an UN official and his American nationality."  The leading mass 
circulation Urdu daily, "Jang," opined that "this incident occurred 
at a time when the UN Secretary General is coming to Pakistan in a 
few days.  The timing of this event also lays bare some scheme to 
defame the country in the world."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"NATO Supply Line Disrupted By Bridge Blast" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"The crucial supply line for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan was 
disrupted after an important bridge on the Peshawar-Torkham road was 
blown up on Tuesday." 
 
"Pentagon For Targeting Terror Camps In Pakistan" "The News" 
(02/04) 
 
"A classified Pentagon report urges President Barack Obama to shift 
the U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan by de-emphasizing 
democracy-building and concentrating more on targeting Taliban and 
al-Qaeda sanctuaries inside Pakistan with the aid of the Pakistani 
military forces.  U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has seen the 
report prepared by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, but it has not 
yet been presented to the White House, officials said on Tuesday." 
 
"Gilani Lifts Ban On Recruitment" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani dissolved the 'task force on 
employment' on Tuesday and lifted a ban on recruitment in government 
services.  The task force, set up by the PPP-led government soon 
after coming into power, has been severely criticized by the 
opposition and civil society and numerous cases of gross violation 
of recruitment policies and prescribed procedures have been reported 
by the media." 
 
"Holbrooke, Haqqani Discuss Situation In Tribal Areas" "The News" 
(02/04) 
 
"Special envoy appointed by President Obama for Pakistan and 
Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke met with Pakistan's Ambassador in the 
United States Hussain Haqqani in Washington and discussed situation 
in tribal areas and joint patrolling by Pakistan, Afghanistan and 
NATO forces on bordering areas." 
 
"Aid Cut Will Curtail Pakistan Army's Independence: Boucher" "Daily 
Times" (02/04) 
 
"In an interview with rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa, United States 
Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was quoted as saying on 
Tuesday that he did not believe that security assistance to Pakistan 
had to be conditioned to the extent that the independence of its 
army had to be curtailed.  'You have to be careful not to cut off 
your nose to spite your face,' Boucher was quoted as saying." 
 
"U.S., U.K. Working To Improve Pak-Afghan Border Situation: Hillary" 
"The News" (02/04) 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said the United 
States and the United Kingdom are working together to address the 
situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region and forge a 
positive relationship. We are working together also in Pakistan, she 
said after meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in 
Washington." 
 
"Afghans Need Governance More Than U.S. Troops: Mullen" "The News" 
(02/04) 
 
"Afghanistan needs better governance even more than it needs extra 
U.S. troops to fight insurgents, the top U.S. military officer said 
on Monday.  Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs 
of Staff, made his remarks as the Pentagon released a report which 
described Afghanistan's government as one of the world's weakest, 
hampered by pervasive corruption, he said in remarks at a lunch 
organized by the Reserve Officers Association in Washington." 
 
"Anti-Terrorism Policy Review, Dialogue Key To West-Muslims Ties" 
"Daily Times" (02/04) 
 
"Most of the foreign envoys based in Islamabad on Tuesday urged a 
review of the war on terror policies, dialogue with extremists and 
better relations between the Muslim and the West.  Speaking at a 
conference - Islam and the West: Future Agenda of Change (Role of 
the Muslim World) - organized by the Council of Islamic Ideology 
(CII), the envoys also called on the world to change its perception 
towards Islam and replace 'might is right' principle with 'right is 
might.'  The conference was convened to consider recommendations for 
U.S. President Barack Obama to improve the West-Muslim relations." 
 
"Obama Says Pakistan Must Not Be Destabilized" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"Pakistan's nuclear weapons are the main cause of concern for US 
President Barack Obama and his military chiefs who have vowed not to 
allow the destabilization of Pakistan because that will allow the 
militants access to weapons of mass destruction, said Mr. Obama in 
an interview to NBC television." 
 
"Violence Claims 14 Lives In Balochistan" The Nation" (02/04) 
 
"At least 14 people including a bride and bridegroom were killed and 
20 other sustained critical injuries, some of them seriously, in 
separate incidents of firing and target killings in Dera Bugti, 
Nushki, Mastung and Khuzdar district of Balochistan on Tuesday." 
 
"70 Militants Killed In Swat" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"Over 70 militants were killed by security forces during fierce 
clashes in Swat on Monday night and Tuesday.  Official sources 
claimed that the Taliban had suffered a major setback in the area." 
 
 
"Military Action In Swat Has Public Backing: Sherry" "The News" 
(02/04) 
 
"Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman on Tuesday 
said the public consensus against violence in Swat serves as a huge 
boost to the government's efforts for restoration of law and order 
in the region." 
 
"Swat Taliban Turn Their Guns On Lawyers" "The News" (02/04) 
 
"Militants in Swat on Tuesday warned that all lawyers and judges, 
being part of an 'infidel judicial system,' would be killed if they 
did not quit their profession.  Announced on their illegal FM radio, 
the threat from insurgents - intent upon forcing their ideology on 
residents of the restive valley - has obviously scared the legal 
fraternity." 
 
"Presidency Sitting On Sufi's Peace Offer In Swat" "The News" 
(02/04) 
 
"The Presidency is sitting on what could have been a remarkable 
peace initiative to overcome the present state of lawlessness in 
Swat.  Maulana Sufi Muhammad, Chief of 
Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), had assured the 
authorities two months ago that he would ensure peace in the 
troubled Swat only if his demand of setting up of an Islamic 
appellate court named Darul Qaza is met to ensure quick justice. 
The president, however, is scared of the expected international 
pressure in case he approves the Shariat system in Swat, which 
interestingly was originally approved during Benazir Bhutto's second 
regime but never implemented thus leading to the present lawlessness 
in Swat." 
 
"Security Forces Keep Up Advance In Mohmand" "The News" (02/04) 
 
"The security forces on Tuesday continued to advance into areas of 
the Pandyalai tehsil of Mohmand Agency and demolished five houses 
owned by the militants besides recovering arms and ammunition." 
 
"Two More Schools Blown Up In Bajaur" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"Militants blew up two government schools in the Pashat area of 
Bajaur Agency on Tuesday." 
 
"One Killed, 25 Hurt In D.I. Khan Mosque Blast" "The News" (02/04) 
 
"One worshipper was killed and 25 others were injured when 
unidentified miscreants hurled a hand-grenade at a mosque in 
Kumharanwala, Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday." 
 
"Over Dozen Suspects Being Quizzed In Quetta" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"Police were questioning more than a dozen suspects on Tuesday over 
the kidnapping of a top UN official in Balochistan.  Officials 
admitted on Tuesday they had no idea who had snatched John Solecki 
and where he had been taken, given the myriad criminal gangs, 
insurgent rebels and militants known to operate in Balochistan, 
which borders Afghanistan." 
 
"Ban Likely To Announce UN Probe Panel Today" "Dawn" (02/04) 
 
"United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is arriving in 
Islamabad on Wednesday, is expected to announce formation of a UN 
commission to look into the assassination of former Prime Minister 
Benazir Bhutto." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Abduction Of UN Official," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/04) 
 
"Monday's ambush in Quetta that left an employee of the UNHCR dead 
and led to the abduction of the refugee agency's Quetta office chief 
is more than a personal tragedy for the families of those who were 
attacked.  It could have wider repercussions as well.  It is an 
ominous development that sends all the wrong signals to foreign and 
local agencies providing aid to those who desperately need 
assistance." 
 
"Terrorism's Strategy Of Kidnapping," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (02/04) 
 
"Mr. Solecki was an extremely 'valuable' victim because of his 
status as a UN official and his American nationality.  Therefore the 
reaction from the UN will be most inconvenient for Pakistan in so 
far as the UNHCR is crucial to Pakistan's efforts to take care of 
war-displaced refugees.  The UN has the option of terminating its 
missions if its personnel are not seen to be even minimally 
secure." 
 
"Abduction Of UN Official - What Is Role Of Secret Agencies?," an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" 
(cir. 300,000) (02/04) 
 
"The kidnap of a senior UN official isn't the first incident of its 
kind, as several other diplomats, and foreigners have been abducted 
or assassinated in different parts of Pakistan in the past. 
Furthermore we must bear in mind that this incident occurred at a 
time when the UN Secretary General is coming to Pakistan in a few 
days.  The timing of this event also lays bare some scheme to defame 
the country in the world." 
 
"Worsening Situation In Balochistan And NWFP And RAW," an editorial 
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (02/04) 
 
"The kidnapping of UN Regional Chief from Balochistan is a grave 
incident that has been perpetrated to show Pakistan as an unsafe 
country....  Since Mumbai attacks it has been India's endeavor to 
prove Pakistan as unsafe for foreigners and foreign investment in 
order to get donors and investors attention once again focused on 
New Delhi and Mumbai....  Pervez Musharraf once said that he was 200 
percent sure of Indian involvement in lawlessness in Balochistan 
province.  However, the present rulers' apathy in this respect has 
encouraged Indian machination." 
 
"Solecki's Kidnapping," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/04) 
 
"Such incidents are not new in Pakistan's troubled areas and reflect 
badly on the country's reputation the world over....  These 
incidents show the failure of government's efforts in controlling 
militancy in the country.... UNHCR officials' kidnapping could be a 
reaction of the US missile and drone attacks in the tribal areas." 
 
"They Are Destabilizing Balochistan," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (02/04) 
 
"The grip of law and order enforcement agencies has loosened and 
with each passing day abhorable acts of target killing, firing at 
police personnel and blasting of gas pipelines are steadily on the 
increase.  The authorities had gathered enough proofs that those 
behind subversive activities were being financed and trained by 
foreign powers inimical to Pakistan....  The kidnapping of the UNHCR 
representative would have serious implication for Pakistan at the 
international level and every effort must be made to ensure his 
early and safe recovery." 
 
"Target: Quetta," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/04) 
 
"After Peshawar, the city of Quetta seems to be falling into the 
hands of militants.  The kidnapping of the Chief of the UNHCR in the 
city is the latest evidence of this....  The situation is disastrous 
for more reasons than one.  The kidnapping will add to the 
international image of Pakistan as one of the world's most dangerous 
places.  This in turn will have an impact on spheres such as 
investment, which are crucial to the economic stability of 
Pakistan.... " 
 
"Unrest In Balochistan," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/04) 
 
"The incident of kidnapping of John Solecki, head of the UN refugee 
agency in Quetta, by unknown miscreants on Sunday, reflects poorly 
on the law and order situation in the provincial capital....  It 
shows that even lives of such high profile persons are not safe, and 
for another it points to the strength these non-state forces have 
been gaining over time." 
 
"Making Pakistan Safe," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/04) 
 
"President Obama has said, a strong, united and stable Pakistan is 
important.  The question is how such stability can be built.  A bill 
which the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had helped draft had 
proposed large scale development aid for Pakistan rather than only 
military assistance....  The idea of investing in the people of 
Pakistan rather than its military alone remains one that makes 
sense.  The stability Barack Obama believes Pakistan needs can come 
only when the abject poverty and social injustice in which extremist 
thought is rooted is addressed.  Pakistan today needs massive 
investment in education, health and welfare." 
 
Pak-U.S. Relations And The Changing Scenario," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5,000) (02/04) 
 
"[The U.S.] is giving an impression that aid to Pakistan would be 
stopped if the Pakistani measures against terrorism do not meet U.S. 
expectations.  Pakistan was previously thrown at the mercy of the 
Pressler Amendment.  The need is for the Pakistani leadership to 
ponder over the reason for this humiliating attitude.  How long will 
Pakistanis live in uncertainty in exchange for some U.S. dollars?" 
 
 
"Pakistan's Eight Points For Holbrooke," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra in 
the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/04) 
 
"Pakistan must present its position clearly and cogently.  Unless 
Washington recasts its Afghan policy in a politico-military cast 
there will be no end to war in Afghanistan.  Endless war in 
Afghanistan also means continued warring and destabilization in the 
bordering regions within Pakistan.....  Ambassador Holbrooke should 
be told that unless a holistic politico-military and development 
approach to resolving the Afghan problem is adopted, his efforts to 
initiate a regional peace process in Afghanistan will not succeed. 
More importantly for Pakistan, it cannot afford a scenario of 
continued war in Afghanistan." 
 
"Messieurs President, PM & COAS: Put Nation Before The U.S.," an 
op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/04) 
 
"Messieurs Zardari, Gilani and Kayani should realize that it is not 
U.S. money or U.S. drones that will solve our problem of terrorism 
and extremism, national consensus, dialogue with all stakeholders 
backed by state force, and effective governance based on rule of law 
and an independent judiciary where people feel they can get redress 
for their grievances peacefully.  A tall order, but at the very 
least, surely, before meeting with Holbrooke, our leadership should 
commence the dialogue (instead of seeking surreptitious compromises 
with individuals like Sufi Mohammad only) and also get a policy 
consensus from Parliament - after all, if nothing else, it may 
provide the much needed backbone to the present set of decision 
makers." 
 
"Drone Attacks And U.S. Responsibilities," an editorial in the 
leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) 
(02/04) 
 
"It is a hard reality that the killing of the innocent people in 
drone attacks has intensified public reaction against the 
governments of the U.S. and Pakistan and put the ongoing war on 
terror in jeopardy.  Hundreds of thousands of people have been 
displaced owing to the security forces' operation in the border 
areas, and now they are looking forward to the humanitarian 
assistance.  The U.S. administration must understand Pakistan's 
stance on this issue." 
 
"Drone Attacks - Do Something Other Than Verbal Protest," an 
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/04) 
 
"When the British Foreign Secretary Miliband made statements against 
the Indian stand on Mumbai attacks during his visit to New Delhi, 
the Indian PM Singh sent a protest letter to his British 
counterpart.  On the contrary there is no need to tell that how the 
U.S. treats the Pakistani officials.  Whether Pakistani Foreign 
Minister can meet President Obama, as does the U.S. Assistant 
Secretary Richard Boucher visit Pakistan almost every month and 
meets Pakistani president, prime minister and army chief with no 
trouble?  Can Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. Haqqani visit the 
White House so frequently, as the U.S. Ambassador Patterson visits 
the President House in Islamabad?  It is true that the U.S. is a 
super power, but we should not compromise over our self-respect, 
sovereignty and national honor anyway." 
 
"Keep Registering Reservation To Americans: A Right Approach," an 
editorial in the Karachi based left-wing Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" 
(Cir. 70,000) (02/04) 
 
"Pakistani government's senior officials during their meeting with 
the U.S. Congressional delegation have put forward country's 
reservations on the U.S. drone attacks, urging the Congressmen to 
raise funding for Pakistan.  We anticipate that the U.S. would 
understand Pakistan's point of view, only then this alliance on war 
against terror would survive.  There is a need of compromise and 
understanding to maintain bilateral cooperation." 
 
"Part Ways With The U.S.," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) 
(02/04) 
 
"Pakistan's demands to the U.S. are going unheard. President Zardari 
rightly asked Congressional delegation to share intelligence with 
Pakistan instead of resorting to drone attacks.  Pak Army chief 
General Kiyani, in a meeting with NATO chief, also urged NATO to 
play its role in stopping U.S. attacks in Pakistan.  But as a matter 
of fact U.S. is more interested in pressing a weakening Pakistan 
than sincerely waging war against terrorism.  This is the right time 
that we must ask the U.S. to vacate our airbases, and should 
discontinue logistic support to NATO and the U.S." 
 
"Taking Flight," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/04) 
 
"People who have either been forced to flee for their lives because 
of the ferocity of the fighting or have chosen to leave of their own 
volition.  It is estimated that over 20,000 have fled their homes 
and are now at makeshift camps in and around Peshawar.... Those 
people that have stayed behind say that government control is now 
virtually non-existent." 
Patterson