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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000211 
 
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: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PAKISTAN 
POLICY, U.S. ECONOMY, INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS, WAR 
AGAINST TERROR; 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. 
 
--------------------------------- 
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PAKISTAN POLICY 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶1. "OBAMA'S POSSIBLE PAKISTAN POLICY," editorial in 
January 16 centrist Cuttack Oriya daily SAMAJA. 
"Diplomatic conjecture about President Obama's possible 
Pakistan policy points to the fact that Pakistan is 
useful in safeguarding America's interest in the Indian 
sub-continent.  True, America has strengthened its ties 
with India but its 'special approach' to Pakistan has not 
declined.  Pakistan is a nuclear power and that causes 
the U.S. a bad headache.  If the civilian government goes 
due to its inability to fight terrorism, it is possible 
that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal will pass into the hands 
of Jihadis.  Pakistan has explained to the U.S. that its 
nuclear weapons are meant only for India.  If it passes 
into the hands of fundamentalists it will be a threat to 
America as well.  President Obama knows this and this 
will determine how he chooses to deal with Islamabad." 
 
¶2. "PAKISTAN'S N-ARSENAL," editorial in January 15 pro- 
BJP Bhubaneswar Oriya daily SAMAYA.  America is 
concerned, and with good reason, that Pakistan's nuclear 
arsenal is a threat to world safety.  In fact, more than 
the world, it is a threat to India.  Under Gen. 
Musharraf, Pakistan did launch attacks on the 
fundamentalists.  As a result, al Qaida, Taliban, and the 
Lashkar-e-Toiba indulged in large scale violence in 
Pakistan.  Now, with the civilian government in power, 
the fundamentalist threat seems to be on the rise.  It is 
feared that if the civilian government fails to govern 
and fundamentalists wrest power, then with the nuclear 
arsenal they may create havoc in the world.  That's why 
the U.S. and global diplomacy must see to it that the 
civilian government stays in power in Islamabad." 
 
¶3. "BARACK OBAMA AND INDIA" op-ed by Dr. Rashmi Bhure, 
Professor in the February 3, 2009, Mumbai edition of 
centrist Marathi daily SAKAL. "Carrying a huge weight of 
expectations, Barack Obama has started working 
immediately after his inauguration. In the war against 
terror, the Obama administration's firm stand on 
Pakistan's role has been welcomed by India. Obama has 
said in the past that there should be a special 
representative for South Asia. However, in actuality he 
has appointed a special envoy for Afghanistan and 
Pakistan. This is a positive step for India as India was 
against having a special envoy for South Asia. It felt 
that America had intentions of playing the role of a 'Big 
Brother' in the region. It also felt that the U.S. wanted 
to play the role of a neutral broker in the resolution of 
the Kashmir conflict, which would amount to America's 
policing in the region. Obama's South Asia experts seem 
to have made Obama aware of the implications of the move 
 
NEW DELHI 00000211  002 OF 004 
 
 
to 'police' South Asia. It is for this very reason Obama 
has avoided offending Delhi and has appointed former 
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke for the job. Obama has 
called India a natural ally. He also has the immense 
influence of Mahatma Gandhi on him. So it is probable 
that all this combined will lead to the improvement of 
Indo-U.S. ties during his tenure." 
 
------------ 
U.S. ECONOMY 
------------ 
 
¶4. "LAVISHNESS IN RECESSION," editorial in February 2 
centrist HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "In the wake of the 
deepest and swiftest financial downturn in U.S. history, 
some companies which are complaining of record losses and 
the need for a financial bailout continue to hand out 
massive bonuses to executives.  One company is even 
purchasing a plane worth $50 million for the comfortable 
journey of its executives. U.S. President Barack Obama 
has called this lavishness in this deep crisis shameful. 
This is the time to cut down on all luxuries, save money 
and use it correctly. Despite the crucial economic 
downturn, finance companies have not changed their 
attitude.  They expect bailouts from the government, but 
do not want to change their attitude. Such thinking will 
not let them and, perhaps, anybody emerge from 
recession." 
 
¶5. "I'M YOUR MAN," editorial in the February 2 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"The U.S. Government could have objected in the boardroom 
itself while the decision was being made to offer huge 
bonuses to corporate executives. There might be a 
different objective behind making a public statement. 
Many people are now jobless in the U.S. and some have 
fallen victims of debt. Under this circumstance, the 
President's popularity will naturally increase if he 
censures top corporate executives for their fabulous 
earnings. A sentiment like 'victory of the poor' must 
have worked behind Obama's electoral win. It is not 
unexpected that Obama will try to fan his popularity wave 
this way. But he should remain cautious against confusing 
economic reasoning while making political calculations." 
 
¶6. "OBAMA'S ANGER:  LARGESSE IN RECESSION"  editorial in 
the February 2, 2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati 
evening daily JANMABHOOMI.  "U.S. President Barack Obama 
has succeeded in getting approval for the stimulus 
package he promised during his election campaign.  While 
this is his first major success after assuming office, 
Obama has an uphill task of explaining to American 
consumers the need to get rid of the habit of 
uncontrolled expenditure.  Besides, at a time when he is 
making serious efforts to put the economy back on track, 
the news about the top executives on Wall Street giving 
themselves fat bonuses has rightly angered Obama.  He has 
described this as 'shameful' and 'irresponsible.'  The 
need of the hour for the United States and economies 
around the world is to adopt a frugal way of life, 
 
NEW DELHI 00000211  003 OF 004 
 
 
controlling savings and expenses.  President Obama has 
shown the way.  Even India needs to take a cue from this 
to further strengthen its economy." 
 
------------------------ 
INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS 
------------------------ 
 
¶7. "UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR," editorial in February 2 
nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "The claim by 
the Pakistan High Commissioner in the U.K. that 
investigations had revealed that Pakistani soil was not 
used for planning the Mumbai terror attacks is 
objectionable. Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani later 
condemned it, but his own statement is also different 
from the Foreign Minister Kureshi's statement. How can a 
diplomatic mission give such detailed statements without 
consulting its Foreign Ministry? Pranab Mukherjee's 
reaction is appropriate: that the Pakistan Government 
should not talk through the media. India should be 
prepared for rejection of evidence provided to Pakistan. 
Pakistan agreed to cooperate with India only under U.S. 
pressure.  Thus, we should start our preparations based 
on the Pakistan High Commissioner's statement. If 
Pakistan denies the report sent to it we should take 
action. Gilani's commitment in Davos to not let 
Pakistan's soil be used for terrorism is meaningless as 
long as no action is taken against the culprits of the 
Mumbai attacks." 
 
¶8. "DIPLOMATIC BANKRUPTCY," editorial in February 3 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"Since the beginning Delhi has set its tone on a shrill 
pitch and threatened to start war against Islamabad 
unless the latter cooperates. But in reality, when 
Pakistan does not show even a semblance of cooperation it 
appears that beginning a war is not easy. Not keeping an 
option open for a middle path exposes India's extreme 
diplomatic weakness. Efficient diplomacy demands that 
there must be some provision for a middle path, 
especially in the case of India and Pakistan. This does 
not enhance India's image in the international arena." 
 
¶9. "BRING LIAR PAKISTAN'S SENSE TO ORDER"  editorial in 
the February 2, 2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati 
evening daily JANMABHOOMI.  "Pakistan's behavior is a 
good example of the saying that to tell one lie one has 
to tell 100.  Pakistan's flip-flop on the Mumbai 
terrorist attacks last year shows that it is not serious 
in bringing the guilty to justice. It is not only India 
that faces risk from Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiyba; even 
America faces danger from such terrorist outfits.  This 
has also been articulated by prominent U.S. policy 
adviser Ashley Tellis, who recently said that India is 
acting as a 'sponge' between America and terrorist 
elements in Pakistan. If Pakistan doesn't take steps then 
India needs to explore 'other options' and take concrete 
steps to nail Pakistan." 
 
------------------ 
 
NEW DELHI 00000211  004 OF 004 
 
 
WAR AGAINST TERROR 
------------------ 
 
¶10. "WHY SHOULD THERE BE ONLY DIPLOMATIC OBSTACLES?" 
editorial in the February 2 CPI (M) Bengali Organ 
GANASHAKTI. "Three months have passed since the Mumbai 
terror attacks... but Pakistani politicians have been 
making contradictory statements. At any rate, they should 
hunt down the conspirators wherever they are. They should 
be arrested from Pakistan or from anywhere else and given 
exemplary punishment. Protracted dialogues will only 
encourage terrorists to organize further attacks. 
Diplomatic obstacles and arguments should not stand in 
the way of combating terrorism." 
 
¶11. "JOINT ACTION NEEDED AGAINST TERROR" op-ed by Praful 
Bidwai in the February 3, 2009, Mumbai edition of 
centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT.  "Social groups in India 
were successful in quelling the war jingoism in India 
after the terror attacks. The organizations demanded that 
both nations should desist from war and instead punish 
the perpetrators of terror. But what amazed these groups 
was Pakistan's constant denial in recognizing the 
perpetrators. Everyone knows that if Pakistan starts a 
war, its impact will be significant and can even expand 
into a full blown war where nuclear weapons may be used. 
A recent report stated that if 10 atom bombs are dropped 
on five Pakistani and five Indian cities, it could lead 
to the death of 2 million civilians and injure 1.5 
million more. If 24 nuclear missiles are fired then the 
resulting radiation could affect more than 200 million 
people and a million would have fatal injuries. With such 
grave consequences at stake, Pakistan must fight 
determinedly against terrorism. India also should break 
the walls of conflict and work towards mutual 
cooperation. This would send America's new president 
Barack Obama the right signals to re-design his policies 
towards South Asia." 
MULFORD