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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000417 
 
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-TERRORIST ATTACK ON SRI 
LANKA CRICKET TEAM; 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-TERRORIST ATTACK ON SRI LANKA CRICKET TEAM 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶1. "A BARBARIC ACT" editorial in March 5 Guwahati 
Assamese ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. "... The attack on the Sri 
Lankan cricketers has clearly demonstrated the inability 
of Pakistan's present regime to rein in the Taliban who 
are running a parallel government within its territory 
... The world community needs to pay immediate attention 
to Pakistan if it wants to eliminate terrorism altogether 
... India should also use the opportunity to mobilize 
international opinion to put more pressure on Pakistan ... 
Allowing the Taliban and other fundamentalist groups to 
continue operate this way from...Pakistan or Bangladesh 
will be too dangerous not only for the stability of the 
sub-continent but for world peace also." 
 
¶2. "TERROR STAINED CRICKET WITH BLOOD" editorial in March 
5 Guwahati Assamese centrist ASAMIYA KHABOR.  "... The 
Lahore attack exposed the weakness of Pakistan's internal 
security management .... The country could not even ensure 
necessary safety for its foreign guests ... Growing 
activities of Pakistan based jihadi groups pose serious 
challenges to the international community ... The main 
objective of these groups is to turn Pakistan into a 
terrorist state so that they can flourish ... Pakistan will 
suffer the most if it fails to dismantle the jehadi 
network completely." 
 
¶3. "PAKISTAN IN A SHAMBLES", editorial in March 4 
centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "The way terrorists 
attacked cricket players in Pakistan shows that the 
country's own administrators have no clue as to what is 
happening within. This incident shows that the Zardari 
Administration has no clue as to how to run the country. 
Leave alone the rest of the world, this administration 
has no standing in its own country. In its search for 
legitimacy and acceptance this government did not even 
think twice before making peace with the Taliban in Swat. 
To the contrary they are touting this deal as a great 
peace initiative to the West." 
 
¶4. "PAKISTAN TOWARDS DESTRUCTION", editorial in March 4 
right of center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "The terrorist 
attack on cricketers in Pakistan shows that militants are 
poised to take over the country and the present 
administration is helpless in preventing that. The 
terrorists have shown that they will not even shirk from 
doing anything that disgraces Pakistan. Today Pakistan 
can be compared to Afghanistan or Somalia. It remains to 
be seen if this incident wakes up the powers that be in 
Pakistan, or if they will continue to be in a state of 
denial. Since Pakistan seems doomed, neighboring nations 
will need to chart their strategies." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00000417  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶5. "TERRORISTAN"  editorial in the March 5, 2009 multi- 
edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. 
"The deadly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 
Lahore is a clear signal that Pakistan has become 
'Terroristan'.  This incident reveals that Pakistan is 
not capable in ensuring even the safety of its guests, 
let alone its own security personnel.  The hydra-headed 
monster of terrorism that Pakistan has nurtured over the 
years is now at its doorstep waiting to consume its 
master.  Anarchy and chaos have penetrated to such an 
extent there that they endanger Pakistan's territorial 
integrity...  Despite all these facts, Pakistan continues 
to market itself as a victim of terrorism and 
unfortunately the world continues to believe this 
parroted statement.  America might take it lightly but it 
too might have to bear the brunt [face attacks like the 
9/11] considering the current state of affairs in 
Pakistan.  America's aid and the unaccountability of the 
funds is making Pakistan all the more blatant in its 
approach.  The Lahore attack drives home the point that 
Pakistan is not serious in talking the bull by the horns 
as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned.  The 
world needs to realize this before it is too late." 
A similar editorial appeared in the March 4, 2009 Mumbai- 
based centrist Gujarati evening daily JANMABHOOMI. 
 
¶6. "PAKISTAN'S BLAMEGAME" editorial in the March 5, 2009, 
Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily 
MAHARASHTRA TIMES.  "Pakistan's administration has not 
yet gauged the severity of the political situation after 
the latest terrorist attack on its soil. That is 
precisely why Pakistani defense analysts as well as some 
of the government officials have dared to point a finger 
towards the Indian Intelligence Agency (RAW). Without 
elaborating on the 'external hand' involved in the tragic 
incident, a senior government advisor said elements 
involved against Pakistan could not tolerate foreign 
investment, development, and peace in the country. That 
is a very irresponsible and ridiculous statement.  It 
will not improve the precarious situation in Pakistan. In 
fact, terrorist outfits are getting wrong signals from 
the Pakistani government..." 
WHITE