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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 02, 2009 
 
Summary:  U.S. CENTCOM Chief General Petraeus' statement that 
"Islamic insurgents pose a growing threat not only to Afghanistan 
but to Pakistan's 'very existence'" dominated headlines in all 
newspapers on Thursday.  President Obama's remarks made during a 
press conference in London that the "Al Qaeda is planning terror 
attacks in Pakistan" received prominent coverage.  Newspapers 
highlighted a report that "12 militants were killed in the 
first-ever U.S. drone attack on Orakzai tribal agency."  Reports of 
a rocket attack on a police van in Upper Dir that killed five 
personnel also received prominent display.  All newspapers 
underscored reports that "Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged to expand 
cooperation in the fight against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants" 
during a summit hosted by Turkey. 
 
Most major dailies continued to run analytical editorials on the 
precarious security situation of the country and the escalating 
pressure on Pakistan to deal with militancy and extremism. 
Commenting on General Petraeus' recent remarks, the mass circulation 
Urdu daily, "Jang," noted that "by overlooking or toning down such 
serious statements the government cannot appease the worried 
Pakistani nation."  The center-right national daily, "The Nation," 
wrote: "As long as the mutual suspicions persisting between 
Washington and Islamabad are not removed, it will be hard to root 
out terrorism from Afghanistan and Pakistan."  The pro Taliban 
Jihadi daily, "Islam," observed that "it is no more a secret that 
the big powers want to convert Pakistan into a battleground, and the 
new U.S. strategy is a formal announcement of this plan."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Taliban Pose Risk To Pakistan Survival: Petraeus" "The News" 
(04/02) 
 
"Islamist insurgents pose a growing threat not only to Afghanistan 
but to Pakistan's 'very existence,' the Commander of U.S. Forces in 
the region, General David Petraeus, said on Wednesday.  The Pakistan 
military has stepped up operations against the militants but more 
action was needed, Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services 
Committee." 
 
"Al-Qaeda Planning Attack On U.S. From Pakistan: Obama" "The News" 
(04/02) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday al-Qaeda was planning 
to attack the U.S. mainland from Pakistani soil and added that the 
U.S. would chase and defeat the terror organisation wherever it was 
present in the world." 
 
"Obama Advised To Address Pakistan's Concerns On Indian Role In 
Afghanistan" website "The News" (04/02) 
 
"As the Obama administration moves to calibrate a fragmented 
approach toward Afghanistan in a regional perspective, top US 
experts have asked Washington to address Pakistan's concerns over 
the Indian role in its insurgency-hit western neighbor....  'I think 
it is India's interest to ensure that its involvement in Afghanistan 
is transparent to Pakistan and the U.S. has a role to play in 
ensuring this,' Lisa Curtis, a former State Department Adviser, 
said." 
 
"12 Die As Drone Hits Orakzai" "The News" (04/02) 
 
"Three minors and two women were among the 12 people who perished in 
the first-ever U.S. drone attack on the Orakzai tribal agency on 
Wednesday.  Sources told 'The News' that an unmanned CIA-operated 
spy plane fired two Hellfire missiles on the two-storey house of a 
militant commander Maulvi Gul Nazeer, also known as Gul Mullah, in 
Khadeezai village, about 35 kilometers northwest of Ghiljo, Tehsil 
headquarters of the Orakzai Agency." 
 
"5 Killed in Dir Police Van Ambush" "The News" (04/02) 
 
"Militants on Wednesday ambushed a police mobile van on the 
Dir-Kohistan Road in Upper Dir district, killing five police 
officials, including a station house officer and an assistant 
sub-inspector and injuring another two." 
"Ankara Summit Resolves To Expand Anti-Terror Fight" "Dawn" (04/02) 
 
"Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged to expand cooperation in the fight 
against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants during a summit hosted by 
Turkey on Wednesday." 
 
"Ankara Summit Agrees On Fighting Militancy" "The News" (04/02) 
 
"Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey on Wednesday vowed to increase 
coordination among their political, military and intelligence tiers 
to jointly fight militancy and terrorism and achieve greater 
economic cooperation to bring peace and stability to the region." 
 
"Pak-Afghan Joint Efforts Needed To Stem Terror: PM" "The Nation" 
(04/02) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the present 
situation demanded joint efforts by both Pakistan and Afghanistan to 
contain the menace of terrorism and extremism.  The Prime Minister 
said this while talking to a delegation of Afghan Parliamentarians, 
which called on him in Islamabad at the PM House on Wednesday 
afternoon." 
 
"Naek For Pak, Afghan Joint Strategy To Eradicate Terror" "The 
Nation" (04/02) 
 
"Acting President Farooq H. Naek has called for enhanced role of 
Pakistani and Afghan parliamentarians to work out an effective 
strategy to eradicate terrorism from the region.  He was talking to 
a 10-member delegation of Afghan Parliamentarians, which called on 
him on Wednesday." 
 
"Holbrooke May Bring 'Do More' Message" "The Nation" (04/02) 
 
"The Special U.S. envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard 
Holbrooke will arrive in Islamabad on April 6 on a two-day visit to 
discuss the new U.S. policy for Islamabad and Kabul in detail with 
top Pakistani leadership, said a senior official in Islamabad on 
Wednesday asking for anonymity." 
 
"Concerns In Pakistan Over New U.S. Plan, Says Lodhi" "Dawn" 
(04/02) 
 
"Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's former Ambassador to the U.S. and the 
U.K., has said that there are concerns in Pakistan about aspects of 
the new strategy unveiled last week by President Barack Obama. 
Speaking in Washington at a prestigious forum, she said that there 
were positive aspects of the strategy review that accorded with 
Pakistan's views.  But the dimensions of military escalation are 
cause of great anxiety.  The decision to send over 17,000 troops and 
suggestions that the U.S. plans to intensify the use of unmanned 
Predator drones that will widen the war by extending it into western 
Pakistan provide grounds for concern." 
 
"U.S. Bill For Tripling Aid Delayed In Senate" "Dawn" (04/02) 
 
"The bill to triple U.S. economic assistance to Pakistan could not 
be introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as scheduled because 
of technical reasons, a Senate aide told journalists....  Despite 
the delay, the aide said, the Committee hoped to pass the bill after 
the April recess and send it to the full Senate in late April." 
 
"The Myth Of Increased U.S. Aid To Pakistan" "The News" (04/02) 
 
"When President Obama announced his new strategy for Afghanistan and 
 
Pakistan, his pledge for $1.5 billion annual aid to Pakistan was 
neither new nor any increase than what was provided in 2008 under 
'Biden-Lugar Bill' No:S-3263, during Republican President Bush 
days....  Sources at the Foreign Relations Committee told 'The News' 
that the new draft known as 'Kerry-Lugar Bill' is 'markedly 
improved' than the previous 'Biden-Lugar Bill,' due to change in 
realities on the ground." 
 
"U.S.-Funded Grant For Economic Betterment of Women" "The Frontier 
Post," "The Nation," "Daily Times," "Khabrain," "Jinnah" (04/02) 
 
"The OneWoman Initiative announced on Wednesday that Pakistan's 
Kashf Foundation received a $100,256 grant funded by the U.S. 
Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International 
Development.  This grant will be used to launch a microfinance 
program catering to rural women, allowing them to become 
self-sufficient and financially independent." 
 
"Mohmand Tense After Death of 3 Troops" "Dawn" (04/02) 
 
"Three soldiers were killed and four others injured when their 
vehicle hit a bomb in Safi area of Mohmand tribal region on 
Wednesday." 
 
"Eight Rockets Land In North Waziristan" "The News" (04/02) 
 
"Eight rockets, fired from Afghanistan, landed in North Waziristan 
tribal region on Wednesday, locals said....  No one was hurt as the 
rockets landed in vacant areas.  Tribesmen living in the border area 
of Ghulam Khan while condemning the attack, demanded of the 
government to take notice of the matter or the tribal people will 
take action by themselves." 
 
"Taliban Occupy Residence Of Ex-Minister" "Dawn" (04/02) 
 
"A band of militants occupied the residence of former Federal 
Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Amir Muqam in Bahrain, 
some 64km north of Mingora, on Wednesday." 
 
"10 More Swat Militants Released" "The News" (04/02) 
 
"Sources said security forces under peace pact signed between the 
NWFP government and the Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), 
released 10 more Taliban on Wednesday, while thousands of people 
staged a protest rally in Manglawar area, demanding the withdrawal 
of troops from residential areas and buildings of educational 
institutions." 
 
"Militants Occupy Another Emerald Mine In Swat Valley" "The News" 
(04/02) 
 
"More than 70 armed militants stormed the second famous emerald mine 
in Gojarao Killay Amnavi area in Bisham on Wednesday and started 
mining." 
 
"UN Relief Operations In Balochistan Suspended" "Dawn" (04/02) 
 
"All UN relief operations have been suspended in Balochistan since 
the kidnapping of UNHCR official John Solecki." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Allies Must Respect One Another," an editorial in the leading mass 
circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (04/02) 
 
"Government of Pakistan must take the U.S. CENTCOM General 
Petraeus's remarks seriously about the possible military operations 
in Pakistani tribal areas.  Our rulers and opposition leaders must 
sit together to evaluate the serious security threats, and evolve a 
common strategy to deal with this situation.  By overlooking or 
toning down such serious statements the government cannot appease 
the worried Pakistani nation." 
 
"Lack Of Trust," an editorial in the center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/02) 
 
"As long as the mutual suspicions persisting between Washington and 
Islamabad are not removed, it will be hard to root out terrorism 
from Afghanistan and Pakistan....  Pakistan's military and security 
agencies maintain that they are wary of the U.S. strategy in the 
region and fear that with the U.S. again leaving the region abruptly 
after fulfilling its agenda, a vacuum in Afghanistan could be filled 
by those opposed to Pakistan, and a collaboration between them and 
India would put Pakistan in a nutcracker." 
 
"Pakistan Existence And Bold Policies," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(04/02) 
 
"It is no more a secret that the big powers want to convert Pakistan 
into a battleground, and the new U.S. strategy is a formal 
announcement of this plan.  Unfortunately, the local Taliban have 
also responded to this assertion by fighting this war also in 
Pakistan.  It is a disastrous situation, and our political and 
religious parties must come forward to utilize their influence to 
ensure Pakistan's survival at this critical juncture." 
 
"U.S. Propaganda Against Sensitive National Institutions," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/02) 
 
"U.S. Central Command Chief General David Petraeus has said that as 
a last resort we can take action inside Pakistan.  In an interview 
with U.S. channel Petraeus said some elements of ISI and Taliban 
have connections that we want to uproot....  Statements by American 
officials show that they want to achieve their nefarious objectives 
by forcing our institutions to shun Pakistan's interests and 
priorities.  Negative American propaganda starts when our officials 
stick to their oath and faith and demonstrate patriotism...." 
 
"Allegations Against ISI: U.S. Intent Seems To Be Dangerous," an 
editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/02) 
 
"Statements by U.S. officials that the U.S. reserves the right to 
carry out strikes within Pakistan when needed create fears that 
American intentions are not good.  Before any such adventure, the 
U.S. should bear in mind that the drone attacks are already creating 
anti-U.S. sentiments here.  The Obama administration should 
understand that any further operation by the U.S. could have 
devastating results.  The drone attacks are giving a justification 
to extremists for terrorism inside Pakistan [as stated by Baitullah 
Mehsud]." 
 
"PPP And PML-N Must Defend ISI," an editorial in the popular 
rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (04/02) 
 
"Had ISI cooperated with Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the 
latter would have never targeted Pakistani security personnel and 
facilities in several cities of Pakistan.  In fact, the Americans 
are deceiving Pakistan with such baseless allegations, and instead 
of trusting them, we should defend Pakistan Army and ISI.  And it is 
the responsibility of both PPP and PML-N as major political parties 
of Pakistan to come forward to protect our security and intelligence 
agencies from any harm." 
 
"Petraeus' Statement," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (04/02) 
 
"If civilians die in the attack, anti-U.S. sentiment is bound to 
increase. Militants take advantage of the situation and are able to 
lure more Jihadis into their fold.  Pakistan has been under pressure 
by the U.S.-led NATO forces to do more to crush the insurgency on 
the Pak-Afghan border.  But no pressure should make the government 
allow foreign intervention into Pakistan." 
 
"U.S. Should Recognize Our Sovereignty," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 5000) (04/02) 
 
"The government's efficiency should not be limited to making verbal 
warnings to the U.S. [on drones].  Instead, it should devise a new 
strategy where the war on terror, Indo-Pak ties, and Pak-U.S. ties 
are treated separately. In this new strategy, the U.S. should be 
asked to stay away from Pakistani borders, and it should be asked to 
mount pressure on India to resolve the Kashmir issue.  It should be 
made clear to the U.S. that even if the target is Al Qaeda, Pakistan 
will not allow the violation of its territory, security and 
sovereignty." 
 
"Comparing Pakistan With Afghanistan," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (04/02) 
 
"Pakistan has immense potential and a decisive role in the campaign 
against terrorism but regrettably our policy and decision-makers 
down-graded the country to a shameful low and it is exactly because 
of this that the United States is taking Pakistan for granted and 
insists on doing more without acknowledging its role and 
contribution.  There would be no end to humiliation until and unless 
Pakistan adopts a nationalist approach to the issue and resists 
unfair demands and pressure of the West, which is nothing but recipe 
for all-round instability and insecurity." 
 
"Show Will To Fight Terrorism," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/02) 
 
"Needless to say, the attacks on America will come when they will 
come, but Pakistan is going to be the target in the coming few days. 
And if they are successful, they will be intensified so that the aim 
of demoralizing the people and defeating the state of Pakistan is 
achieved.  America will be more prepared when the attacks come to 
it; it will have the will and the wherewithal to protect itself. 
But is Pakistan ready for what is coming?" 
 
"Minister Of State's Appreciation For American Attacks," an 
editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu 
daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (04/02) 
 
"U.S. is launching unconcealed attacks on Pakistan, killing scores 
of innocent people, and now threatening to penetrate into Pakistani 
territory to launch military operations, but Pakistan's Minister of 
State for Defense Production is saying that the U.S. drone attacks 
have shown 80 percent success rate, and Taliban and Al Qaeda have 
been targeted precisely.  This is the mindset that the U.S. is 
looking for in Pakistan, and even the suicide bombings inside 
Pakistan are actually meant to force ordinary people to feel that 
whatever America is doing is right." 
 
"Alarming Situation," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/02) 
 
"Claiming responsibility for the attack on the Manawan Police 
training school, leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Baitullah 
Mehsud has vowed to teach the U.S. a lesson....  Unfortunately, 
while he cites the drone attacks as the main provocation, he avenges 
them by spilling blood in Pakistan.  It is therefore quite clear 
that the extremist organization has no other agenda than to create 
panic." 
 
"Danger In Dir," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/02) 
 
"It seems quite clear that the forces that rampaged through Swat, 
creating terror and fear as they enforced their arcane version of 
Islam, are now eager to do the same in Dir.  It is time the 
provincial government roused itself from its slumber, gave up its 
pretence that all is well in Swat and began a real effort to tackle 
the militants who have in Dir once more proved just how deadly they 
can be." 
 
"A Moment Lost," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/02) 
 
"The indications from Washington of plans to step up drone attacks 
on tribal areas in Pakistan are disturbing; there is talk, we hear, 
in Washington of 'carpet bombing' tracts of territory.  Islamabad 
needs to make its US ally realize this will be disastrous.  The mass 
U.S.-led NATO troop presence in Afghanistan has after all solved 
nothing at all.  Seven years on, there is every possibility that 
Afghanistan could once more fall into Taliban hands.  And, for 
reasons that are not difficult to understand, this complicates the 
situation in Pakistan as far as combating militancy goes, with 
agencies clearly thinking too of the future." 
 
"Together We Can," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/02) 
 
"Enough! Bring Baitullah Mehsud to justice.  If you can't, ask 
America to do it.  And silence!  All you handwringing hypocrites 
accusing Pakistan of killing its own people.  Shame on you for being 
two-faced.  These tribal thugs are destroying us and you say we 
should let them?  Our military and the civilian spy agencies in 
tandem with their counter-terrorism outfit can drive a giant crater 
in the Taliban and Al-Qaeda ranks.  The Lahore operation is a 
shining example of how success can be had if everyone comes 
together.  Why then is there disharmony between the civilian 
government and the army to meld our spy agencies under a single 
entity?  Are they suspicious of each other?  Is there a power 
struggle?  Or is there something else that we don't know?  Whatever 
the reasons, the Americans are fast losing patience with our 
infantile tactics." 
 
"The Handiwork Of Handicapped Hands," an op-ed by I.M. Mohsin in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(04/02) 
 
"India has been trying to curry favor with Obama, particularly after 
the Mumbai tragedy. So she also figures in the regional group on 
AfPak but managing through tense diplomacy to escape being seen as 
part of the problem. Unfortunately, diplomatic niceties apart, once 
you review the objective realities in the area, you realize how much 
India contributes, consciously or unconsciously, to the status 
quo....  One can't help highlighting India' predicament to give a 
clear perspective to our friends who shy away from facing the ground 
realities....  Moreover, there is a feeling in Pakistan that India 
is working against Pakistan' interests in Afghanistan." 
 
"Indian Intransigence," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/02) 
 
"Dr. Singh's intransigence in ruling out the resumption of the 
composite dialogue until the result of the probe becomes visible can 
only be seen as an attempt at mounting pressure on Islamabad to hand 
over the culprits of the 26/11 tragedy to New Delhi.  It bears 
repeating that Pakistan needs no lectures on showing zero tolerance 
to terrorism since it has suffered a lot from the growth of this 
menace after becoming a frontline state in the War On Terror." 
 
"Need To Revive The Dialogue," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/02) 
 
"The immediate need is to restore the confidence that earlier 
enabled Islamabad and New Delhi to engage with one another 
meaningfully....  One hopes that when the electoral exercise in 
India is over, the two neighbors will choose to adopt a pragmatic 
stance.  Meanwhile, they should refrain from using the media to 
indulge in their blame game." 
 
"Blow To ME Peace Prospects," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/02) 
 
"The truth is that Israel enjoys a carte blanche from America for 
all its policies that include brazen violations of international 
treaties and war crimes during its forays into Arab lands. 
America's domestic politics is hostage to its powerful pro-Israeli 
lobby that rules out any effective action by any U.S. administration 
to pressure Israel into quitting Palestinian territories." 
Patterson