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P 031002Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
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RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000392 
 
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: TERRORIST FINANCING, INDIA- 
PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, PALESTINE, CLIMATE CHANGE; 
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. 
 
------------------- 
TERRORIST FINANCING 
------------------- 
 
¶1.  "COASTAL SECURITY," editorial in March 2 DAINIK 
JAGRAN Hindi daily: "With the Mumbai terror attacks 
exposing the lack of coordination among security 
agencies, India has completely overhauled its coastal 
security apparatus and handed over the overall 
responsibility of maritime security to the Navy. It is a 
good decision and better late than never. Had this 
decision been taken before, the Mumbai attacks may not 
have happened. The lack of coordination between the 
Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy made things easy 
for the Pakistani terrorists. A lot needs to be done on 
the security front in India. This is evident from the 
U.S. State Department's report that the hawala money 
remittances system in India are directly linked to 
terrorist financing. If this is indeed true then it means 
that a lot needs to be done to damage the sources of 
terror financing in this country." 
 
-------------- 
INDIA-PAKISTAN 
-------------- 
 
¶2.  "PAKISTAN ARMY'S MENTALITY," editorial in March 2 
nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Proving India 
right, the Pakistani naval chief Noman Bashir has gone 
back on his own statement about there being no evidence 
of Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab using the sea 
route to get to India. His contradictory statements were 
embarrassing for Pakistan because the whole world knows 
they came by sea. The Mumbai attacks are the proverbial 
thorn stuck in the Pakistani establishment's throat, but 
with these admissions, there seems to be some softening 
in the Pakistani mentality. That is evident from his 
retracting his statement. The Pakistani defense 
establishment's dilemma is that it cannot openly 
contradict the civilian government. The Army is also a 
spot because a colonel and a major have been found to be 
involved in the Mumbai attack." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶3. "FOCUS ON AGHANISTAN," oped in March 2 nationalist 
RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily by political commentator 
Bharat Dogra: "The American-supported Hamid Karzai has 
done substantial development work in Afghanistan, but his 
administration has failed to establish peace in the 
country. Many innocent Afghans have been killed in action 
by the NATO and American forces. This has brought down 
the popularity of the Karzai government in Afghanistan. 
 
NEW DELHI 00000392  002 OF 003 
 
 
At the same time, Pakistan continues to assist and 
support the divisive elements and the Taliban forces in 
Afghanistan. The U.S. should pressure Pakistan to stop 
aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan. American and NATO 
forces need to change their action plan to avoid innocent 
Afghan casualties. And financial aid to Afghanistan needs 
to be increased so that the people do not take to 
terrorism and opium cultivation." 
 
---- 
IRAQ 
---- 
 
¶4. "WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN FORCES FROM IRAQ", editorial 
in MARCH 02' 2009 issue of right - to - centre Urdu daily 
"RASHTRIYA SAHARA", New Delhi: "Everyone knows that, 
sooner or later, Americans have to retreat back from 
Iraq. It would have happened earlier if Iraqi society 
would have not divided on sectarian lines. Had Kurds, 
Sunnis and Shias fought, shoulder to shoulder, against 
America, the latter would have left Iraq for earlier, 
with its bags and baggages. In Iraq, America not only 
looted its oil wealth, it also inflicted deep wounds on 
the body of Islam, which will take a long time to heel 
up. American forces are leaving Iraq after establishing a 
hatred factory in it, the dirty smoke of which shall keep 
spreading cancer in Muslim society for long. It is also 
certain that America is unable to dominate over Iraq or 
Afghanistan forever. It has to withdraw its forces from 
there. By attacking Iraq, America has made all out 
efforts to destroy Iraq's culture, civilization and 
secular ethos. American secret agencies and investigating 
bureaus shall keep trying to sow the seeds of hatred and 
disintegration in Iraq. But we believe this American 
conspiracy will also become unsuccessful in the same way 
as its plan to occupy Iraq failed miserably, because 
people of Iraq are sagacious enough to know and 
understand that solutions of all of their problems lie in 
Islamic unity." 
 
--------- 
PALESTINE 
--------- 
 
¶5. "RAY OF HOPE", editorial in March 02' 2009 issue of 
right - to - centre Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "Now, 
when both the parties in Palestine are getting closer to 
each other due to a successful mediation, and chances are 
bright for a coalition government in Palestine by the end 
of March 2009, both the factions will have to take steps 
sagaciously. On one hand, where it is necessary for 
Mahmoud Abbas to maintain the unity, and do not become a 
stooge of western powers, on the other hand, Hamas should 
make cordial relations with Al-Fatah. Both the parties, 
basically, have one goal. Both are vying for the 
liberation of Palestine. After the formation of a 
coalition government, and unity between Al-Fatah and 
Hamas, Arab countries should support Palestine openly and 
boldly, and fulfill their duty towards Palestinian cause 
and reconstruction of Gaza." 
 
NEW DELHI 00000392  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
-------------- 
CLIMATE CHANGE 
-------------- 
 
¶6. "ADVICE FROM DAVOS" editorial in the March 3, 2009, 
Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT.  "The 
need to arrive at some global agreement on climate change 
was once again underlined by UK Prime Minister Gordon 
Brown. He has asked a group of experts and business 
leaders to develop recommendations on stimulus packages 
for the April G20 meeting of finance ministers and heads 
of state. These stimulus packages can power the 
transition to the low carbon economy. We have to realize 
that not just a few countries or the richer nations like 
the U.S., but all the nations of the world, will benefit 
from deep cuts in carbon emissions. Helping to finance 
clean energy, energy efficiency, and adaptation to the 
climate changes applies to both the developed and the 
developing world. We must all seize the opportunity to 
set the framework for - and invest in - the growth of the 
new low carbon economy..." 
WHITE