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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000318 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 13, 2009 
 
Summary:  Advisor to PM on the Interior Rehman Malik's 
acknowledgement that the "Mumbai attacks were partly planned in 
Pakistan" dominated headlines in all newspapers on Friday.  All 
newspapers also front-paged the report that Indian Foreign Minister 
Mukherjee called Islamabad's much-awaited response as a "positive 
step" but also expressed hope that Islamabad would "take more 
credible measures" to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on 
its soil.  In an exclusive story from its Washington-based 
correspondent, the English daily, "Dawn," reported that State 
Department Spokesman Wood also welcomed the Islamabad's response, by 
stating that "it showed Pakistan's seriousness in fighting 
terrorism."  Newspapers reported that Ambassador Holbrooke met 
several political leaders including Nawaz Sharif and Shujaat Hussain 
and listened to their views on the U.S.-Pak relations and the 
overall security situation in the region. 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the recent telephone 
conversation between President Obama and President Zardari.  The 
centrist national daily, "The News," wrote: "The initiative taken by 
Barack Obama must be seized at this time as an opportunity to move 
forward and ensure that Pakistan remains a central planner in the 
tactics to be used to defeat militancy."  The second largest Urdu 
daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt," noted that the conversation between the two 
Presidents "strengthen the impression that the U.S. President 
convinced President Zardari for jointly fighting the war on terror 
with renewed fervor; notwithstanding the evident impending defeat of 
the U.S. and NATO."  The Islamabad-based rightist daily, "Pakistan 
Observer," opined that the call "signifies the importance that 
Washington attaches to Pakistan and the need for greater 
consultations and exchange of views so as to forge understanding on 
issues of mutual interest."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Mumbai Attacks - Part Of Plot Hatched In Pakistan, Says Malik" "The 
News" (02/13) 
 
"Pakistan on Thursday acknowledged for the first time that the 
Mumbai attacks were partly planned in Pakistan and that it has 
arrested six suspects, including the 'main operator.'  In its first 
detailed response to the dossier provided by India, Pakistan said 
criminal cases had been registered against nine suspects on charges 
of 'abetting, conspiracy and facilitation' of a terrorist act." 
 
"Development Positive" "The Nation" (02/13) 
 
"Lowering heat on Pakistan and terming Islamabad's much-awaited 
response to the dossier of evidence on Mumbai terror attack as 
'positive,' India on Thursday promised to get back to Islamabad with 
'whatever' more information it can share after examining its 
queries." 
 
"India Calls It Positive Step, Wants More Credible Measures" "Dawn" 
(02/13) 
 
"India on Thursday welcomed the arrest of Mumbai terror suspects by 
Pakistan as a positive step and hoped that Islamabad would take more 
credible measures to dismantle alleged infrastructure used by 
militants for cross-border raids, India's Foreign Ministry said." 
 
"Pakistan Determined To Curb Terror: U.S." "Dawn" (02/13) 
 
"The United States on Thursday welcomed the announcement in 
Islamabad that the Mumbai terror attacks were partly planned on the 
Pakistani soil, saying that it showed Pakistan's seriousness in 
fighting terrorism, said U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood 
when asked to comment on Mr. Malik's statement." 
 
"It Is Now India's Turn To Respond Positively, Says Zardari" "Daily 
Time" (02/13) 
 
"Pakistan has investigated the Mumbai attacks transparently and it 
is now India's turn to respond positively, a private TV channel 
quoted President Asif Ali Zardari as saying on Thursday." 
 
"Pakistan Proved It Is On The Level, Says FO" "The News" (02/13) 
 
"The Foreign Office on Thursday underscored that Pakistan's response 
to the Indian dossier on Mumbai attacks showed the government's 
sincerity in seriously resolving the issue and hoped that India 
would reciprocate in the same spirit of cooperation, Foreign Office 
spokesperson Abdul Basit told a weekly news briefing in Islamabad." 
 
"FIA Report Handed Over To Indian High Commissioner" "Dawn" (02/13) 
 
"Pakistan handed over to India on Thursday its reply to the dossier 
on the Mumbai attacks along with a set of 30 questions seeking more 
information to further its investigations, Foreign Office spokesman 
Abdul Basit said at a weekly media briefing." 
 
"Suspects To Be Tried In Camera" "Dawn" (02/13) 
 
"All suspects arrested in connection with Mumbai attacks would be 
tried in the Adiala Central jail under the anti-terrorism law, 
informed sources told Dawn on Thursday.  The trial will be held in 
camera." 
 
"Indian Agencies Also Involved In Mumbai Attacks: Gen. (R ) Hamid 
Nawaz"  "Ummat" (02/13) 
 
"Former caretaker Federal Minister Gen. (r) Hamid Nawaz while 
talking to this paper has said that India's own intelligence 
agencies were involved in Mumbai attacks, and India's sole aim is to 
isolate Pakistan in the international community." 
 
"New Strategy To Be Realistic: Holbrooke" "The News" (02/13) 
 
"Special U.S. Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard 
Holbrooke held separate meetings with PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, 
Shahbaz Sharif, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz 
Elahi in Islamabad on Thursday.  Holbrooke praised Pakistan's role 
in the war on terror and said that a realistic policy would be 
adopted keeping in view the problems faced by Pakistan." 
 
"Zardari Made Strong Plea For U.S. Aid In Talks With Holbrooke" 
"Dawn" (02/13) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari made a major pitch for urgent U.S. 
economic assistance to shore up Pakistan's crumbling economy during 
his meetings with U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke, the New York 
Times said on Thursday." 
 
"New U.S. Policy To Be Discussed With Pakistan, Says Qureshi" "The 
News" (02/13) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has 
been cooperating with the U.S. and playing its role in the efforts 
against extremism and terrorism.  Talking to BBC Radio, he said that 
it had been decided that the new policy of the Obama administration 
would be discussed with Pakistan." 
 
"Dr. Khan Has No Access To Strategic Facilities, Says Foreign 
Office" "Daily Times" (02/13) 
 
"We told U.S. Special Representative Richard Holbrooke that it was a 
closed chapter and he [Dr. Abdul Qadeer] has no access to any 
strategic facility, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a 
weekly press briefing on Thursday." 
 
"Pakistan Wish List Exposes Holbrooke Challenge" "Daily Time" 
(02/13) 
 
"U.S. Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke 
left Pakistan on Thursday with a wish list for aid, but in no doubt 
about the challenge of eradicating extremist havens in Pakistan." 
 
"Holbrooke Reaches Kabul" "Dawn" (02/13) 
 
"U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke arrived in Kabul on Thursday, 
on the second leg of a maiden tour aimed at turning around the war 
against militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan." 
 
"Taliban Threaten To Attack More ANP Leaders" "Dawn" (02/13) 
 
"Police have not found any information about terrorists involved in 
Wednesday's bomb blast which killed Awami National Party's MPA Alam 
Zeb Khan.  Meanwhile, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan based in Orakzai 
Agency has claimed responsibility for the blast and threatened to 
continue attacks on lawmakers if the military operation was not 
stopped." 
 
"Seven More Killed In Swat Amid Peace Rallies" "The News" (02/13) 
 
"Five persons were killed and 12 others sustained injuries during 
the ongoing military operation in Swat valley on Thursday as people 
defied the curfew to stage rallies for peace for the third 
consecutive day." 
 
"Four Taliban Killed In Bajaur" "Daily Time" (02/13) 
 
"Security forces on Thursday retaliated to a Taliban rocket attack 
against a check-post at Shundi More in Bajaur Agency, resulting in 
the killing of four Taliban." 
 
"Zardari To Visit China From February 20" "The Nation" (02/13) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari will proceed to China from February 20 
on a four-day long visit, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit 
disclosed on Thursday in his weekly press briefing." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Cryptic Call," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/13) 
 
"The effort made by the U.S. President to strike up a direct line of 
communication with Islamabad's top decision-maker is significant. 
Pakistan must capitalize on this opportunity to develop good will 
and understanding.  The main focus of effort must be to put up a 
viable plan that can be implemented with support from Washington. 
The initiative taken by Barack Obama must be seized at this time as 
an opportunity to move forward and ensure that Pakistan remains a 
central planner in the tactics to be used to defeat militancy." 
 
"Zardari-Obama Conversation: Troops Withdrawal And Dialogue Best 
Solution," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (02/13) 
 
"The conversation between President Obama and President Zardari, as 
reported in the press, strengthens the impression that the U.S. 
President convinced President Zardari for jointly fighting the war 
on terror with renewed fervor; notwithstanding the evident impending 
defeat of America and NATO." 
 
"Pakistan Expects More From Washington," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (02/13) 
 
"President Barack Obama has had his first direct interaction with 
President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday.  The call signifies the 
importance that Washington attaches to Pakistan and the need for 
greater consultations and exchange of views so as to forge 
understanding on issues of mutual interest." 
 
"Barack Obama's Phone To President Zardari," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (02/13) 
 
"American President's phone to Pakistani President and assurance for 
cooperation is undoubtedly a cause of satisfaction.  However, the 
need is that America should avoid those steps in the war on terror 
which are creating internal trouble in Pakistan and in this 
connection Pakistani proposals should be implemented." 
 
"Barack Obama's Telephonic Contact With Pakistani Counterpart," an 
editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 
5000) (02/13) 
 
"It is a matter of satisfaction for the public circles that before 
talking with President Obama, President Zardari presented the ground 
realities to Mr. Holbrooke candidly and did not hold anything back. 
Since the details of President Zardari's conversation with President 
Obama are not yet fully known, it would be premature to say how he 
represented Pakistani nation's sentiments about the country's 
sovereignty and security." 
 
"Obama-Zardari Accord," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/13) 
 
"The telephonic conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and 
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari shows that the U.S. has realized 
the need for a revision of the U.S. policy on the war on terror, 
especially in relation to Pakistan and Afghanistan." 
 
"Durable Peace Wedded To Practical Steps," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (02/13) 
 
"Mr. Holbrooke is perhaps the first American official who is 
visiting the country to listen, not to dictate. President Obama's 
phone call to President Zardari during Mr. Holbrooke's visit 
signifies that the new U.S. administration wants to formulate a new 
policy to strengthen bilateral relations. So far, this is all very 
encouraging." 
 
"When This Sequence Of Bomb Explosion Is Going To Be Stopped?," an 
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/13) 
 
"No sooner U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke arrived in Peshawar, a 
remote controlled bomb ripped off in a town of the provincial 
capital.  It seems that the government of Pakistan has never thought 
about the overall security situation of the FATA, Swat and other 
parts of the province, or perhaps it (the government) has become so 
helpless and yielding before the U.S. pressure and financial 
assistance that it cannot afford to maintain an independent policy." 
 
 
"Terrorists Activities And Government's Pledge," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (02/13) 
 
"We hope that joint efforts by the U.S. and Pakistan will bring the 
specter of terrorism under control.  However, for that to happen, 
America and its allies must control the Taliban and Al Qaeda in 
Afghanistan, stop the drone attacks immediately, and let the 
Pakistan government carry out its functions within the country." 
 
"Tragedy Of People And Government Upset With Terrorism," an 
editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 
55,000) (02/13) 
 
"Our past rulers imposed the war on terror upon the people of 
Pakistan for their own monetary and short-term interests. Since 
there is a democratic government in the country now, is there any 
hindrance in revisiting the policy of cooperation to the U.S.?" 
 
"Demonstration By Thousands Of People In Swat In Favor Of Peace," an 
editorial note in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" 
(cir. 10,000) (02/13) 
 
"Pakistani nation heard the news with surprise that more or less 20 
thousand people staged a demonstration in favor of Islamic laws and 
against the military operation in Swat valley.  They gave a 
three-day deadline to the government for the implementation of 
Islamic laws, or else they will hold a long-march towards Islamabad. 
 Indeed there is no better system other than Islam for a Muslim 
country.  Therefore, the demand of people of Swat is not 
unjustified." 
 
"Monster Of Terrorism," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/13) 
 
"The monster of terrorism is creeping from the fringe towards the 
centre....  The fact that the attack took place so brazenly on the 
day the American special envoy, Richard Holbrooke, was visiting the 
NWFP capital speaks volumes for the message the terrorists wanted to 
send: no one is now safe in Pakistan....  A look at the 'victories' 
chalked up by the militants should be enough to substantiate their 
claims that the government is not winning the war on terror." 
 
"Taliban's Return To Kabul," an editorial note in the Lahore-based 
independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 5000) (02/13) 
 
"Just how successful the Americans, NATO-ISAF troops and the puppet 
Karzai regime have been in eliminating terrorism in Afghanistan was 
visible when the Taliban militants yesterday attacked three 
government facilities near the Presidential palace...  Taliban have 
threatened more such attacks in the future. In this perspective 
comes a statement from a former Soviet General who has said that the 
U.S. should hold talks with the Taliban if it wants to win this 
war." 
 
"Graveyard Of Empires," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/13) 
 
"As the Obama Administration works overtime to conduct a policy 
review on Pakistan and Afghanistan, the U.S. administration has to 
understand that there is no military solution to the issue.  The 
independence-loving Afghans have never submitted to foreign 
aggression in the past, nor will they now....  The new strategy 
needs to emphasize reconstruction, development and diplomacy on both 
sides of the Durand Line." 
 
"A New Strategy," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (02/13) 
 
"The coordinated attacks by suicide bombers and gunmen in Kabul on 
Wednesday have underscored the fragile state of security in 
Afghanistan.  The attacks, the worst violence in the Afghan capital 
came a day before the expected arrival of Richard Holbrooke and were 
clearly meant to send a signal of the Taliban's strength." 
 
"The Holbrooke Visit," an op-ed by Najmuddin A. Shaikh in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (02/13) 
 
"Holbrooke proposal that a Pakistani inter-agency task force led by 
our foreign minister should meet with a similar American taskforce 
to provide inputs for the ongoing review of America's Afghan policy 
and to plot the future course of U.S.-Pakistan relations.  The focus 
will be on the principal goal - the elimination of terrorism and 
extremism - and to allow this focus to remain, the U.S. will use its 
good offices to prevent the Mumbai issue from boiling over and will, 
despite the media hype, accept assurances with regard to A.Q. Khan." 
 
 
"U.S. Envoy Faces Tough South Asia Test," an op-ed by M. Ilyas Khan 
in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) 
(02/13) 
 
"The American special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard 
Holbrooke, has a tough task ahead of him....  As such, his test will 
lie in his ability to devise mechanisms to minimize the role of the 
Pakistani security establishment in charting the country's 
geo-political strategy.  American money, which has helped keep this 
security establishment alive and strong, is the greatest leverage he 
can employ to achieve this aim." 
 
"Visitor Or Harbinger?," an op-ed by M.A. Niazi in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/13) 
 
"The visit by President Obama's envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, 
Richard Holbrooke, who expected only to have to sell the message 
that the Obama administration was as determined about the War On 
Terror as the Bush, found he still has some fire-fighting to do." 
 
"Missing The Essence Of Talibanism," an op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/13) 
 
"The Obama administration is saying it will tie aid to Pakistan to 
its performance in fighting Taliban militancy.  This thinking 
presupposes that American aid is what Pakistan needs and what can 
achieve victory over the Taliban.  Experience tends to suggest 
otherwise.  The Americans gave Pakistan money when Musharraf was 
president.  Well, what did we do with that money and did it enhance 
our capacity to fight the Taliban?...  The Americans are pouring 
money into Afghanistan.  Has it stabilized the situation there?... 
This is the way with third world countries on the dole, especially 
in a war zone.  If dollars alone could do the trick the U.S. would 
not have lost in Vietnam.  Dollars alone cannot prove triumphant in 
Afghanistan or Pakistan." 
 
"Mumbai Attacks FIR, Rehman Malik's Admission," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 125,000) (02/13) 
"Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik's press conference seems to be a 
statement of an approver.  It is imperative that the government not 
let any harm come to the national interest.  And if the government 
does not consider itself capable of safeguarding national interests 
and country's solidarity then it should quit governance 
voluntarily." 
 
"Honesty And Hard Realities," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/13) 
 
"This is the first time that a senior representative of a sitting 
Pakistani government has ever acknowledged that any terror attack on 
another nation has been planned in whole or part within the country. 
There can be no doubt that this admission could mean serious 
implications for the security services.  We note that this frank 
admission comes at the end of Mr. Holbrooke's visit and follows the 
first telephone contact between Presidents Barack Obama and Asif 
Zardari.  However, we do not make any causal linkage between these 
events.  It is this kind of openness and up-front honesty that 
inspires confidence, both in our own government and within the 
nations arouQ us.  Now let us see reciprocity on the Indian side." 
 
"India Should Appreciate Pakistan's Efforts," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (02/13) 
 
"Now, with Mr. Malik's statement, it should be obvious that India 
needed to have shown more patience because putting together the 
links of such an extensive and sophisticated plan needs time....  At 
this stage, however, it is evident that Pakistan has covered 
impressive distance in unearthing the broad strands of this plan. 
Given its efforts, we should expect more disclosures in the near 
future." 
 
"New American Strategy," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) 
(02/13) 
 
"For turning a failed U.S. policy intoQsuccess, a senior U.S. 
diplomat Richard Holbrooke visited Pakistan. At a time when Mr. 
Holbrooke was in Pakistan, President Obama called Pakistani 
President Zardari for the first time. The bottom line of the this 
whole exercise is the acknowledgement of the fact that the U.S. has 
failed in pursuing its agenda, and now any possible change in the 
policies is aimed at tightening the U.S. grip over this region." 
 
"Afghanistan Will Prove Vietnam Of Obama," editorial in the 
Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 
33,000) (02/13) 
 
"Had the U.S. defense experts learnt any lesson from the Vietnam 
War, they would have not planned to occupy Afghanistan, which in its 
entire history has never tolerated foreign invaders. The only 
respectable way left with the U.S. now is to withdraw its troops 
from Afghanistan, or engage these troops in the development programs 
for the Afghan people instead of killing them." 
 
"India Should Respect Pakistan's Good Intentions," an editorial in 
Hyderabad based independent and liberal Sindhi Daily "Ibrat" (cir. 
80,000) (02/13) 
 
"Pakistan has demonstrated a sense of responsibility with regard to 
the Mumbai attacks investigation. India must not question Pakistan's 
sincerity now. It is unfortunate that Ajmal Kasab is a Pakistani 
national, but it is wrong to blame the entire country, or the 
government for the deeds of an individual." 
Patterson