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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000475 
 
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, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY; 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 
-------- 
 
¶1. "PAKISTAN'S TRUE FACE," op-ed in March 13 DAINIK 
JAGRAN Hindi daily by editor Sanjay Gupta: "Musharraf's 
statements in New Delhi show clearly how much ill will 
this man harbors against India. When someone out of power 
can harbor such ill will, you can imagine what kind of 
mindset those in power in Pakistan have. Musharraf did 
not miss a chance to berate India, speaking at public 
forums in New Delhi during his recent visit. He asked 
India and Pakistan to shed the burden of history, and 
grasp the opportunity to resolve the Kashmir issue. In 
his characteristically blunt manner, he also linked the 
rise in extremism and terrorism to the resolution of the 
festering Kashmir issue - remarks that did not go down 
well in India. He also irked many in the audience by 
speaking about the alienation of Muslims in India. A 
prominent Muslim leader, Mehmood Madani, a member of 
Rajya Sabha and leader of Jamat-e-Ulema-i-Hind, said 
Musharraf should mind his own business. From Musharraf's 
statements, it is clear that Pakistan has neither the 
willingness nor the ability to check terrorism. At 
international forums, Pakistan's leaders make hollow 
claims about fighting terror. That is merely their ticket 
to concessions from the developed world, nothing more." 
 
¶2. "PAKISTAN'S SOLUTION," editorial in March 14 DAINIK 
HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "It seems that Pakistan President 
Zardari is left alone in the ongoing political tension. 
On the other hand, the U.S., U.K. and Prime Minister 
Gilani seem to have reached an agreement. The good thing 
about this agreement is that there is no direct danger of 
military rule in Pakistan. However, the importance of the 
army has increased because of the current political 
crisis. It could be Zardari's high ambitions or his 
political immaturity that caused him to make everybody 
his enemy. Even the Pakistani army and Nawaz Sharif, who 
can not stand each other, have joined hands. If the army 
and the Taliban become strong and the political parties 
and the democratic organizations grow weaker, it will 
turn into a serious problem not just for Pakistan, but 
for the entire world. Pakistani politicians will have to 
learn to solve their and the nation's problems 
themselves. After all, how long can they can depend on 
America and the army for this? They should show maturity 
to establish peace and stability in the country." 
 
¶3. "UNSTABLE PAKISTAN," editorial in March 13 AMAR UJALA 
Hindi daily: "Pakistan's instability is at its peak. 
Anything can happen any time there. It is difficult for 
the Zardari government to survive in the present 
political turmoil. Previously, only the Taliban had 
challenged Islamabad. Now the PML(N) chief Nawaz Sharif 
has shaken Zardari's position by launching a long protest 
 
NEW DELHI 00000475  002 OF 003 
 
 
march. The so-called democracy in Pakistan is again in 
danger. Nobody but Zardari himself is responsible for 
this situation. The U.S. was already unsure about him, 
but since it had struck a deal with Benazir Butto it 
tolerated Zardari all this time. Since he came to power 
the situation has only become worse. The terrorism is 
intensifying. The government bowed to the Taliban in Swat 
valley. Zardari went back on promises he made to Sharif. 
In a way, the army was making him do what it wanted. But 
such a bad situation in a nuclear state is not good. It 
is a matter of serious concern for all of us." 
 
¶4. "PAKISTAN: CAN ONE BROOK THE SIGHT?", editorial in 
March 13 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: 
"Pakistan's situation has turned explosive once again. If 
oppressive measures are adopted to stop the Long March 
and curtail the protests taking place in the country 
today, and the situation worsens further, there will be 
no recourse but for the military to take over the 
internal matters of Pakistan. However, if the military is 
keen on intervening rather than serving in Pakistan, all 
the steps and gradual efforts made so far to bring back 
democracy shall suffer irreparable damage. Zardari and 
his protg Prime Minister Gilani appear to be enervating 
the country rather than stabilizing it and improving upon 
the prevailing situation. Ashfaq Kiyani does not intend 
that the military should intervene in the internal issues 
of Pakistan, but if the country continues to burn, then 
what? If the military does makes inroads into Islamabad, 
it will be entirely the fault of the present political 
leadership in the country. The people shall never be able 
to forget and forgive." 
 
¶5. "PAKISTAN IN GRAVE CRISIS," editorial in March 16 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: 
"Taking advantage of terrorist attacks on the one hand 
and lawyers' agitation on the other, the Pakistani army 
authorities have increased their influence over Islamabad 
in a big way. Former President Pervez Musharraf is 
responsible for this national crisis... no matter which 
leaders apparently hold power, the real conflict has now 
started between Pakistan's army and the civil society. 
The situation in Pakistan is a cause of concern for 
India. Military rule in a neighboring country can never 
be comfortable for others. Let peace and stability return 
to Pakistan... the only question is what course will assure 
peace?" 
 
¶6. "DANGEROUS INSTABILITY" editorial in March 16 Guwahati 
Assamese independent ASAMIYA KHBOR:"...The entire world 
will have to bear the consequences of Pakistan's 
continuing instability. The way the fundamentalist forces 
are gaining ground it may considerably weaken the U.S.- 
led war against terrorism, and countries like India, 
Bangladesh and Afghanistan will face its impact. For 
India, it is always better if an elected government rules 
Pakistan, but the present situation is not favorable for 
a democratic government to function normally. No one 
wants war, but India should be ready to defend its 
interests in any eventuality." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00000475  003 OF 003 
 
 
¶7. "MUSHARRAF LIKELY TO COME BACK TO POWER IN PAKISTAN" 
op-ed article by columnist Muzaffar Husain in the March 
16, 2009, Mumbai edition of right-of-center Marathi daily 
SAMANA. "General Musharraf's India visit is not as simple 
an affair as he makes it out to be. There was a definite 
pro-Pakistan design behind his sudden visit and 
participation in the India Today conclave.  Not once did 
Musharraf express regret for the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, 
and neither did he call for action against the Jihadi 
elements in Pakistan which is targeting India from across 
the border. Musharraf's statements, however, gave clear 
indications of the mutually supportive relationship 
between Musharraf and Ashfaq Kayani, the chief of the 
Pakistani army. If the current Asif Zardari-led 
government falls in the near future, Musharraf is most 
likely to be reinstated as a civilian head." 
 
 
------------------- 
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY 
------------------- 
 
¶8. "INDIA IS A VICTIM OF AMERICA'S FLAWED POLICY" 
editorial in the March 16, 2009 Mumbai-based right-of- 
center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.  "Despite 
stability evading Pakistan and Afghanistan and the 
Taliban making swift inroads into Pakistan, it is 
surprising to know that America is not taking any 
concrete steps to address this problem.  It is in fact 
America that is responsible for this uncertainty in 
Pakistan as it has always intended to have a ruler in 
Pakistan that takes orders from America.  History is 
replete with examples of India's victimization by 
America's flawed foreign policy vis-`-vis Pakistan.  Just 
to cite an example, it was a retired U.S. army officer 
who ran training camps for Punjab terrorists during the 
eighties.  It was only after India's protest that this 
was shut down.  Despite assurances, Pakistan has used 
American military aid to stockpile arms and ammunition to 
be used against Indian interests. The intelligentsia in 
India ask this question: why is American following such a 
flawed policy?" 
White