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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000359 
 
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: BANGLADESH, UNITED STATES, 
PAKISTAN; 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. 
 
---------- 
BANGLADESH 
---------- 
 
¶1. "THE REBELLION IN BANGLADESH" editorial in the 
February 26, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi 
daily SAKAAL.  "In a land that has witnessed several 
rebellions in the recent past, the latest uprising of the 
Bangladesh Rifles (BR - paramilitary troops) is the most 
shameful in Bangladesh's history. It is shocking that 
nearly 50 people were killed when the BR mutinied over a 
pay dispute at their headquarters in Dhaka. The uprising 
in the capital underscored the challenges facing the new 
Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, and the mutinous 
soldiers are a prime security concern for neighboring 
India as well. The Bangladesh Rifles are a notorious and 
corrupt paramilitary force known for its anti-India 
activities. They are responsible for most of the 100,000+ 
 unauthorized Bangladeshis infiltrating India."  A 
similar editorial appeared in centrist Marathi daily 
LOKMAT of February 26, 2009. 
 
¶2. "MILITARY MUTINY IN BANGLADESH"  editorial in the 
February 26, 2009 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati 
daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR.  "The discontent among the 
Bangladeshi Rifles was so enormous that their soldiers 
targeted its headquarters and held officers hostage. 
This incident highlights the inflammatory nature of the 
current situation, despite the establishment of a 
democratically elected government.  Terrorist 
organizations like Al Qaeda keep a hawk's eye on such a 
situations, and take full advantage to spread their 
nefarious activities.  It is high time for Prime Minister 
Sheikh Hasina to take corrective measures to avoid the 
recurrence of such incidents." 
 
¶3. "BDR REVOLT IN BANGLADESH," editorial in the February 
26 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali BARTAMAN "The development in 
Bangladesh is a matter of deep concern for India. If the 
BDR mutiny gets support from a section of the Bangladesh 
army the situation may turn even more dangerous. It would 
be good both for Bangladesh and India if the crisis is 
settled amicably. Otherwise, the Hasina government will 
be in difficulty and India too will not be in a 
comfortable position." 
 
------------- 
UNITED STATES 
------------- 
 
¶4. "BARACK OBAMA'S LITMUS TEST BEGINS NOW" editorial in 
the February 26, 2009 Mumbai-based right-of-center 
Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.  "After completing a 
month in office, Barack Obama's popularity ratings are 
dipping, if one is to believe the reports appearing in 
the American media.  Obama's popular slogan 'Yes we can' 
 
NEW DELHI 00000359  002 OF 003 
 
 
hasn't proved to be magical in making any significant 
impact thus far.  While all this is true, it would be 
unfair to expect Obama to deliver results considering 
there are soaring expectations for him under challenging 
circumstances.  Having said that, the Obama 
administration faces herculean tasks.  Resurrecting the 
economy, withdrawal from Iraq, and confronting enormous 
challenges in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region are some of 
the major ones.  Besides, one can only hope that the 
stimulus packages will yield results if they work out as 
planned.  Never in the history of American politics has 
the U.S. President grappled with such enormous challenges 
as Obama is now.  All eyes are focused on this hopeful 
president who faces a real litmus test." 
 
¶5. "OBAMA ERECTING WALLS AROUND AMERICA"  editorial in 
the February 26, 2009 multi-edition centrist Gujarati 
daily DIVYA BHASKAR.  "President Obama is erecting a 
protectionist wall around America to safeguard the 
economy and bring back lost jobs.  This is clear in his 
inaugural address to the Congress stating that his 
administration won't provide tax relief to American 
companies outsourcing their jobs offshore.  The immediate 
impact will be felt by Indian IT companies, who are the 
largest beneficiaries of such IT enabled services in the 
BPO sector.  We do not know yet whether or not such a 
step might also benefit the companies.  This also 
indicates a policy shift from the previous 
administration. While it is certainly bad news for India, 
we also need to understand that such a step was in the 
offing considering the prevailing economic scenario in 
the United States, where hundreds of thousands of people 
have lost their jobs.  Obama is addressing and pleasing 
his domestic constituency." 
 
-------- 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶6. "PAKISTAN-I-TALIBAN?" editorial-page article in the 
February 26 independent Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR 
PATRIKA by Assistant Editor Semanti Ghosh.  "The western 
part of Pakistan will become a sanctuary of the joint 
forces and resources of al-Qaeda and the Taliban if 
things continue this way. Whether or not other parts of 
the country will also come under their control in the 
near future is hard to say. Pakistani political workers, 
service members, the middle class, and even media people 
who have a hardcore attitude have already inclined toward 
the Taliban. The Punjab province in East Pakistan poses 
the main concern. Once the Punjabi military and 
diplomatic associations mingle with the Taliban ideology, 
the source of danger will not be far from the Indian 
border. The mainstream Obama Administration is confident 
that Islamabad is going the wrong way. The danger cannot 
be averted by making compromises. Obama believes that 
former President Bush made the greatest diplomatic 
blunder by ignoring the drug-Taliban-fundamentalist- 
terrorism network of Afghanistan. Still, Islamabad is on 
the forefront of the battle against the Taliban. Both 
India and the U.S. would suffer if Islamabad is put into 
 
NEW DELHI 00000359  003 OF 003 
 
 
much difficulty." 
WHITE