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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000543 
 
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./IRAN, TERRORISM 
REPORT, UNITED STATES/ECONOMY, IRAQ; NEW DELHI - MARCH 
21-23, 2008. 
 
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. "AMERICA'S INAPPROPRIATE ADVICE," editorial in March 
21 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "The U.S. advice to India 
to pull back its troops from the Indo-Pakistan border is 
inappropriate. Islamabad projects to the U.S. that it 
cannot concentrate on fighting terrorists active on the 
Afghanistan border because of Indian troop build-up. Is 
the U.S. administration willing to guarantee that there 
would not be terrorist infiltration from Pakistan? It is 
clear that the U.S. is only concerned about terrorist 
organizations which pose a threat to it and Europe." 
 
¶2. "WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PAKISTAN?" op-ed article by 
editor Kumar Ketkar in March 22 left-of-center Marathi 
daily LOKSATTA.  "The U.S. is at a loss for a solution to 
any of the unfolding crises in Pakistan. The only 
solution it can offer is to augment its troops on the 
Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on the assumption that a 
robust U.S. military presence there will help the U.S. to 
contain the mayhem and political violence in Pakistan. To 
some extent, even the Pakistani administration wants the 
U.S. forces to counter the rise of the Taliban. The U.S. 
cannot afford the Taliban's hold over Pakistan. It is 
already so difficult to negotiate with Pakistan; it will 
be worse if the Taliban becomes a legitimate partner in 
the Pakistani administration." 
 
¶3. "NEW POLITICAL TUSSLE IN PAKISTAN", editorial in March 
21 right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF: "In Pakistan, 
democracy is always shaky. This round went to Nawaz 
Sharif, but Asif Ali Zardari is hatching a conspiracy in 
collaboration with other political parties to oust PM 
Gilani from power. It is possible that democracy may be 
shattered again within a few months." 
 
--------- 
U.S./IRAN 
--------- 
 
¶4. "IRAN-U.S. RELATIONS," editorial in the March 23 CPI 
(M) Bengali Organ GANASHAKTI.  "Is the U.S. going to 
change its Iran policy under Obama? Iranian leaders want 
to see concrete examples of changes in American 
perception. The fundamental question is: will the U.S. 
stop supporting hostile groups against Iran? A new phase 
in ties may begin only if [the Obama Administration's] 
words match its actions." 
 
¶5. "IRAN'S REACTION ON U.S. INITIATIVE" editorial in 
March 23 right-of-center Urdu daily ETEMAAD: "On Iran, 
Obama seems to be trying a different approach. He brought 
hope initially, but as far as the Muslim world is 
 
NEW DELHI 00000543  002 OF 003 
 
 
concerned, nothing has changed. In his message, Obama has 
said nothing that can heal the wounds inflicted on Iran." 
 
¶6. "SAGACIOUS DECISION OF OBAMA", editorial in the March 
21 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA, New 
Delhi: "Obama's proclamations show he is against 
enhancing international tensions. Mending relations with 
Iran is a step in this direction. Obama's first step 
should be to ease economic sanctions against Iran. The 
Iranian leadership too has indicated its readiness to 
improve ties with America. It is hoped that Obama will 
discontinue previous strategies that made U.S-Iran 
relations bitter." 
 
¶7. "AMERICA OFFERS NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN", editorial in 
the March 21 right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "Obama's 
efforts to mend relations with Iran demonstrate a sea 
change in U.S. policy. These efforts should not be 
allowed to fall prey to any conspiracy. Iran should also 
respond positively. Israel will try its level best to 
sabotage U.S-Iran relations." 
 
¶8. "OBAMA'S MESSAGE TO IRAN", editorial in the March 22 
right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT, Hyderabad: "It is 
heartening that America is ready to forget the acrimonies 
of the past and reconsider its policies vis-`-vis Arab 
and Muslim nations. Obama's peaceful overtures are a 
breath of fresh air, provided they are genuine." 
 
----------------------------------- 
PATTERNS OF GLOBAL TERRORISM REPORT 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶9. "WHAT IF MASOOD AZHAR IS HANDED OVER?" editorial in 
the March 22 VIR ARJUN Hindi daily by editor Anil 
Narendra: "Nothing better demonstrates just how ill- 
equipped India is to counter terror than the latest U.S. 
State Department report that ranks the country among the 
world's most terror-hit nations. The US annual report has 
also rapped India for its slothful law enforcement and 
justice systems, calling them outdated and overburdened. 
The UPA government's timid approach towards terrorists is 
increasingly becoming an obstacle to fighting terror in 
our backyard." 
 
¶10. "INDIA SHOULD FREE ITSELF OF U.S. INFLUENCE" edit- 
page article in March 23 Guwahati Assamese ASAMIYA 
PRATIDIN by columnist Sajjad Hussain. "As a safeguard 
against growing terrorism in Pakistan, India should adopt 
an independent diplomatic and foreign policy which is not 
influenced by the U.S.  India should make efforts to form 
an effective regional alliance to fight Pakistan-based 
terrorism." 
 
--------------------- 
UNITED STATES/ECONOMY 
--------------------- 
 
¶11. "TOUGH OBAMA," editorial in March 23 right-of-center 
Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR.  "Obama expressing his 
 
NEW DELHI 00000543  003 OF 003 
 
 
frustration and astonishment at AIG's decision to share 
bonuses with its employees is totally justifiable.  It is 
totally unfair on the part of such companies to corner 
hard-earned aid in the form of largesse... even India needs 
to adopt Obama's style.  After all, such packages come 
from the taxpayers' money." 
 
---- 
IRAQ 
---- 
 
¶12. "SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION OF IRAQ", editorial in 
March 22 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: 
"Six years of Bush's aggressiveness are over! President 
Obama has startled the whole world with his announcement 
that U.S-Iran talks should be resumed. Obama's message 
shows that U.S. policy is undergoing a real change, but 
the U.S. administration can go only as far as the 
powerful Jewish lobby will let it." 
WHITE