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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000489 
 
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, 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 
-------- 
 
¶1. "HERE'S THE ANSWER," editorial in the March 16 
nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Pakistan sent 
30 questions earlier in March on the Mumbai attack, and 
on Friday India gave 32 answers which included more than 
400 pages in all, as well as CDs, intercepted voice 
recordings and voice logs. The ball is now back in 
Pakistan's court. Home Minister P. Chidambaram is right 
when he says that this body of evidence is sufficient for 
anyone who wishes to investigate in full and with 
seriousness. But the question is, how honest is Pakistan 
going to be? India should not hurry; rather, we should 
wait patiently for Pakistan to give a response. But with 
the current turmoil in Pakistan, it looks unlikely that 
Pakistan will answer in a hurry." 
 
¶2. "PAKISTAN AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE," op-ed article in 
the March 16 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by 
Security and defense expert C. Uday Bhaskar: "All sorts 
of contradictory news coming from Islamabad -- the U.S. 
is putting pressure on President Zardari to reach an 
agreement with Sharif, the army could oust democracy once 
again, etc. -- is aggravating the ongoing political 
turmoil there. Zardari's conflicts with Prime Minister 
Gilani and the army Chief General Kiyani also indicate 
that this crisis should end as soon as possible. The 
political division and the narrow interests of the 
political parties are the reasons behind the problems in 
Swat and on the Western border. They have weakened the 
roots of democracy and given the army the opportunity to 
rule. Everybody has their eyes on General Kiyani.  If the 
Pakistani army remains neutral, a ray of hope could 
emerge from the PML(N)'s demonstration of power and 
Zardari's isolation in the PPP. Expressing disagreement 
and political dissent without using violence is a 
fundamental element of a healthy democracy. Pakistan 
should be encouraged to follow it." 
 
¶3. "TOWARDS THE NEXT CRISIS," editorial in the March 17 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"Whether it (the Pakistan situation) is the forecast of a 
severe storm remains a matter of speculation. First, the 
extent of flexibility that President Zardari has shown 
makes it harder for him to retain his position. Nawaz 
Sharif is clearly keen on grabbing power in the near 
future. This makes the power tussle between the two 
political parties and their leaders even more intense. 
Second, Prime Minister Gilani is now the closest 
associate of the Army Chief Kiyani... while Sharif is 
backed by a large section of the civil society, the 
Pakistani army and possibly the U.S. stand by Gilani. If 
the Chief Justice, following his reinstatement, really 
does revive Musharraf's trial process, it may antagonize 
 
NEW DELHI 00000489  002 OF 004 
 
 
the Army. And lastly, it would be an oversimplification 
to think that the Pakistan Army stands fully united. The 
pro-U.S. and pro-terrorist divisions in the Army will 
become stronger than ever before. This may spell danger 
for the entire world. The country's situation is 
literally explosive." 
 
¶4. "ZARDARI COMPROMISES TO RETAIN HIS CHAIR," editorial 
in the March 17 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali daily, BARTAMAN. 
"Democracy's victory on Pakistani soil cautions Zardari 
on one hand and sends out a signal to the Army on the 
other that democracy must be sustained in the country. 
U.S. President Obama's firmness worked in this. America 
has become disillusioned about Zardari after his 
compromise with the Taliban. So, the U.S. appropriately 
advised General Kiyani in order to put pressure on 
Zardari. Consequently, Kiyani reins in Zardari through 
Gilani. America wants to accomplish its goals by helping 
sustain democracy in Pakistan." 
 
¶5. "WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAKISTAN'S CRISIS", editorial 
in the March 16 right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT, 
Hyderabad: "Pakistan is on the verge of ruin. The 
administration of the country has ground to a halt, and 
dirty linens are being aired along the roads. Clashes 
between the government and Nawaz Sharif are taking a 
disastrous shape. Every party wants their vested interest 
served instead of working to alleviate the grievous 
situation. The prevailing circumstances show that Zardari 
is trampling the supremacy of law and the constitution, 
while on the other hand, Nawaz Sharif wants to capture 
power by hook or by crook. This is causing apprehension 
that the army may intervene once again. If it happens, 
democracy will be rooted out from the country forever, 
and Pakistan will be branded a failed state. 
Responsibility will fall directly on Asif Ali Zardari and 
indirectly on Nawaz Sharif." 
 
¶6. "CHAOS IN PAKISTAN, ONCE AGAIN", editorial in the 
March 16 right-of-center Urdu daily URDU TIMES, Mumbai: 
"The very recently established democracy in Pakistan is 
facing chaos and anarchy once again. Foreign countries 
like America and Britain are concerned that the chaotic 
conditions in Pakistan may escalate terrorist activities. 
That is why, along with the Pakistani army, they have 
warned the Zardari government to control the situation 
immediately. In other words, the sword of the Pakistani 
army is hanging once again over the heads of Pakistan and 
Zardari. Apart from that, the USA and Britain have also 
instructed Zardari to mend relations with Nawaz Sharif 
and reinstate the dismissed judges or be forced to 
abandon power. Pakistan's politicians realize that their 
regime has a short time to live, and the army can capture 
the government at any time, but in spite of that they do 
not cooperate with each other. Chaos in Pakistan is not 
injurious to itself only; it is also harmful for the 
entire world, particularly India, its neighbor. Angry 
unemployed youth in an instable Pakistan may become easy 
prey to terrorist organizations, increasing dangers for 
countries throughout the region." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00000489  003 OF 004 
 
 
¶7. "A COMPROMISE IN PAKISTAN" editorial in the March 17, 
2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily 
NAVASHAKTI.  "The immediate political crisis in Pakistan 
seems to have been averted after the restoration of the 
dismissed Chief Justice. However, this is a compromise by 
President Zardari, who had gone back on his promise of 
reinstating Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, 
fired by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007. 
Zardari gave in only after the army chief categorically 
warned him, and when Zardari witnessed his political 
rival Nawaz Sharif actively supporting the lawyers' 
agiation. Albeit too late, Zardari has now realized the 
popular voice against his government. This incident also 
signals the emergence of Sharif, the leader in waiting. 
Although the path ahead remains unclear and messy for 
both Zardari and Sharif, the reinstatement of the Chief 
Justice serves a purpose. The chief justice might now let 
courts reopen past corruption cases and human rights 
abuses. In this way a strong and independent judiciary 
might stabilize Pakistan, contain its corrupt leadership 
and also resist the siren call of the Jihadi elements..." 
Similar editorials appeared in arathi dailies LOKMAT and 
SAKAAL of the same date. 
 
¶8. "DEMOCRACY WINS, ZARDARI LOSES IN PAKISTAN"  editorial 
in the March 17, 2009 multi-edition centrist Gujarati 
daily DIVYA BHASKAR.  "At last, Zadari succumbed to the 
pressure and accepted most of the demands of his 
political bte noire Nawaz Sharif....  This episode reveals 
that Zardari has proved to be a fragile player in the 
politics of Pakistan.  Zardari's calculations, cutting 
Nawaz Sharif down to size by having the Supreme court 
disqualify both Sharif brothers from contesting 
elections, have boomeranged on him.  The political acumen 
with which Nawaz Sharif turned the tables on Zardari has 
not only made him a hero but also done colossal damage to 
Zardari's image.  Besides, this also suggests the victory 
of democracy in Pakistan.  Although the circumstances 
were ripe for the army to stage a coup and acquire power, 
it refrained from doing so.  Only democracy can ensure a 
safe future for Pakistan." 
A similar editorial appeared in the March 17, 2009 multi- 
edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶9. "PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN", editorial in 
the March 16 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New 
Delhi: "The United Nations Organization has expressed its 
deep concern over delays in Presidential elections in 
Afghanistan. The situation in Afghanistan is most 
explosive due to political instability and anarchy. Free 
and fair elections should be held in an environment where 
freedom of expression, of the media, and of the people to 
gather are guaranteed. Rebel Taliban extremists will try 
to sabotage the proposed election. They do not want the 
new government as a puppet government playing into the 
hands of America. Elections in Afghanistan under the 
supervision of international soldiers cannot be 
 
NEW DELHI 00000489  004 OF 004 
 
 
successful. The strategy rebel Afghan leaders and 
extremists elements of the Taliban will adopt during the 
election cannot be predicted at this moment. One can only 
speculate. Elections could be free, fair and transparent 
under the supervision of international armed forces, 
provided rebel Afghan leaders agree to cooperate. How 
things will go won't become clear before June." 
WHITE