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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000249 
 
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: PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN, JOE BIDEN 
EUROPE VISIT, KYRGYZSTAN/AMERICA, AFGHANISTAN, 
IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN; 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. 
 
------------------ 
PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN 
------------------ 
 
¶01. "NUCLEAR OBSTINACY," editorial in the February 9 
DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Nuclear proliferation and 
terrorism are two important elements of Pakistan's 
foreign policy with which it holds India and the rest of 
the world to ransom. Pakistan has set free its rogue 
nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan just a few days before the 
arrival of special representative Richard Holbrooke. By 
doing this Pakistan has cocked a snook at the U.S. Khan 
is accused of passing sensitive nuclear technology to 
nations such as Iran, Libya and North Korea, and he 
himself has acknowledged it. One of the reasons he may 
have been set free is that he is extremely popular in the 
country. Also by freeing him, Pakistan has swept a 
possible IAEA investigation under the carpet. This is 
nuclear obstinacy. " 
 
¶02. "HAS PAKISTAN'S HERO KHAN'S CHAPTER ENDED OR HAS IT 
JUST BEGUN?"  editorial in the February 10, 2009 Mumbai- 
based right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR. 
"Just when the countdown has begun for Pakistan to submit 
its response to the Indian dossier on the 11/26 Mumbai 
attacks, an incident has occurred that makes Pakistan's 
role all the more uglier [in its commitment to fight 
terrorism].  The acquittal of A Q Khan, disgraced nuclear 
scientist and the father of a 'dirty bomb,' by a 
Pakistani court has raised eyebrows in the international 
community...  This is also a grim reminder of Pakistan's 
notoriety in making false promises in reigning in rogue 
elements on its soil...  Now the grave concern before the 
global community is what will be the repercussions of 
Khan's release?  This is also an open challenge to 
America whose pressure had kept the noose tightened 
around Khan until now." 
 
---------------------- 
JOE BIDEN EUROPE VISIT 
---------------------- 
 
¶03. "CHANGING AMERICA" editorial in the February 10, 
2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily 
MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "President Barack Obama's heavy 
reliance on peace and reconciliation is welcome and it 
manifests itself in U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's 
maiden overseas visit to Europe.  Biden's foreign policy 
statements have struck the right chord in America's 
relations around the world. Biden made a point to 
reiterate the president's pledge to extend an open hand 
to any nation (including Iran and Russia) that unclenched 
a fist. Biden promised more openness with Russia 
regarding proposed missile defense facilities in Poland 
and the Czech Republic. He acknowledged that it would not 
 
NEW DELHI 00000249  002 OF 004 
 
 
be possible for the U.S. and Russia to agree on 
everything, but hastened to add that the United States 
and Russia can disagree and still work together. He added 
that the U.S. would continue with its plans for a missile 
defense shield in Central Europe. He proposed a shared 
fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban with Russia as 
part of an era of improved relations between Washington 
and Moscow. Biden was also clear in the context of Iran. 
He said the U.S. is willing to talk to Iran only if Iran 
makes a clear choice -- either continue with the current 
course or abandon the illicit nuclear program and support 
meaningful incentives. He has made it amply clear that 
the US would not back away from the use of force when all 
else fails..." 
 
------------------ 
KYRGYZSTAN/AMERICA 
------------------ 
 
¶04. "DETERRENT JUSTICE OF QURBAN ALI BAIG", editorial in 
the February 7 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, 
New Delhi: "If we have an overview of the present leaders 
of the Islamic world, we come to a conclusion that the 
political canvas & strategic moves of these leaders hinge 
around the interests of America & the Jewish lobby.  They 
seem to have forgotten that the interests of the people 
of their countries are getting jeopardized in the 
process, for which they shall face the wrath sometime in 
the future. Paying due respect to the sentiments of the 
people, Kyrgyzstan, a country situated in West Asia has 
declared its intention to shut down the current American 
air base on its soil. The present political leadership in 
the country headed by President Qurban Ali Baig has 
marked its approval over the decision. The decision to 
shut American air bases in Kyrgyzstan shall indeed prove 
to be a gigantic blow to the Obama administration, since 
United States had declared to send 30 thousand more 
troops in Afghanistan recently." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶05. "TOUGH CHALLENGE FOR U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY," op-ed in 
the February 9 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by foreign 
affairs columnist Vinay Kaura: "Afghanistan is one of 
Barack Obama's stated foreign policy priorities. But 
Obama will find it tough to deal with this humongous 
Afghanistan problem that he has inherited. Special 
representative Richard Holbrooke is leaving for Pakistan 
and Afghanistan shortly, and soon thereafter Hillary 
Clinton will make a trip to Asia. They will have to 
decide how best to tackle the Taliban. Deploying an 
additional 30,000 troops in Afghanistan is no solution - 
finishing the Taliban's stranglehold over Afghanistan is. 
Holbrooke will also have to decide if the U.S. wants to 
continue banking on President Hamid karzai in the next 
elections. Karzai's government has earned a bad name due 
to alleged corruption and Karzai holds control only over 
one-third of the country. The Pakistani Army will try to 
 
NEW DELHI 00000249  003 OF 004 
 
 
explain to Holbrooke that the Afghanistan and Kashmir 
issues are interlinked. Hope Holbrooke can see through 
this game plan and does not get hoodwinked." 
 
¶06. "TARGETS OF OBAMA IN AFGHANISTAN", editorial in the 
February 7 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS, 
New Delhi: "In the present circumstances the fire & fury 
unleashed by America over Pakistan, al Qaeda & the 
Taliban is certainly not unnatural. A prominent reason is 
that America has not been able to make much hold over the 
Pathan community in Afghanistan to turn them into 
loyalists for quelling the Taliban. America thus has not 
been able to get a similar success as in Iraq because of 
a dearth of people who could dance to the American tunes 
& get influenced by its tactics. It was much less than 
what America had believed it would achieve in 
Afghanistan. More the American fighter planes have bombed 
& targeted the civilian population in Afghanistan, 
determination of the Afghans has grown manifold while 
their ire against the Americans has crossed all limits. 
In the course of events, it is widely expected that 
America is going to provide more firepower to its 
oppressive onslaught in Afghanistan in view of the 
rebellious stance of the common populace there." 
 
¶07. "NO FAITH IN KARZAI?" editorial in the February 10 
CPI(M) Bengali organ GANASHAKTI in Kolkata.  "The U.S.- 
led NATO troops in Afghanistan...are now themselves being 
heckled by the Taliban. President Obama is worried to see 
NATO in such a state. In this situation, America is no 
longer inclined to attach so much importance on Karzai as 
before, and will start building direct contact with 
tribal leaders, instead. The Afghan administration has 
become corrupt. So, Washington is compelled to explore an 
alternative way of advancing its objectives. The 
Taliban's activities have increased to such an extent 
that they can strike Kabul any moment. America believes 
it will have to compromise with tribal leaders if it 
wants to maintain its position in Afghanistan. There is 
no other option open for the U.S. But will America 
survive even that way?" 
 
---------------- 
IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN 
---------------- 
 
¶08. "WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ, EMPHASIS ON AFGHANISTAN", 
editorial in February 7 Islamist Urdu bi-weekly DAWAT, 
New Delhi: "The new American president has declared to 
withdraw itself from the Iraqi swamp; however, on the 
other hand he has talked of more emphasis on Afghanistan, 
which seems to be going astray after a sufficient control 
was achieved there. It is being increasingly predicted 
that the American & NATO forces in America shall have to 
face a defeat. So far, six hundred & forty four American 
soldiers have been killed in the country. The present 
brewing situation in Afghanistan is far more precarious & 
volatile than it was in 2001. That is precisely why 
America intends to withdraw itself from Iraq & focus 
entirely on Afghanistan. During the course of attacks in 
 
NEW DELHI 00000249  004 OF 004 
 
 
Iraq, permanent American air bases have come up in the 
region. Now it is the turn of Afghanistan, from where 
America desires to keep many other countries on its 
radar. The erstwhile American president attacked Iraq & 
exerted his supremacy over the region. The remaining task 
in the region around Afghanistan is being sought to be 
fulfilled by his successor." 
MULFORD