VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0746/01 0981046
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081046Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2200
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9217
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 5066
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0027
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 7151
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1134
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000746 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 08, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of the engagements in Islamabad of 
"two top U.S. officials" - envoy Richard Holbrooke and Admiral Mike 
Mullen - dominated front pages in all newspapers on Wednesday.  The 
English daily, "Dawn," reported that "Pakistan rejected a U.S. 
proposal for joint operation in the tribal areas" while "Holbrooke 
lamented gaps in intelligence."  All dailies also front paged Prime 
Minister Gilani's remarks denying reports that the "government has 
sought direct help from the U.S. to capture or eliminate 
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Chief Baitullah Mehsud."  Newspapers also 
quoted Army Chief Gen Kayani as telling the visiting American 
officials that "criticism of ISI will not help war on terror." 
Reports that the "parliamentary committee on national security 
finalized its recommendations suggesting drastic changes in the 
national policy on war against terrorism" also received prominent 
coverage.  The killing of "16 militants in Buner clash" received 
wide coverage.  Most major dailies also ran a NYT report pointing 
out that the "U.S. may extend drone attacks to Balochistan." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the new under-review "national 
policy on counter terrorism."  The English daily, "Dawn," noted that 
"clearly, something radical needs to be done to ready our police 
force to take on the militants. But success will only come if the 
plans are drawn up and executed by professionals with minimal 
political interference."  Another English daily, "The News," 
observed that "it is pointless to set up one force after the other 
if there is a risk that it may fall victim to the same weaknesses 
that crippled outfits established at considerable public expense 
previously on similar lines."  The populist Urdu daily, "Khabrain" 
wrote: "Although the new national policy will address law and order 
and other domestic issues, we feel that the foreign policy should 
also be discussed therein."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"'No' To Joint Operation In Tribal Areas; Slander Campaign Against 
ISI Resented; Trust Deficit To Lead Nowhere, U.S. Told" "Dawn" 
(04/08) 
 
"Pakistan rejected on Tuesday a U.S. proposal for joint operations 
in the tribal areas against terrorism and militancy, as differences 
of opinion between the two countries over various aspects of the war 
on terror came out into the open for the first time. 
Highly-informed sources said the move followed a collective decision 
reached between the government and security establishment to adopt a 
tough posture against a barrage of attacks and criticism emanating 
in recent weeks from Washington, directly targeting the Pakistan 
army and the ISI and creating doubts about their sincerity in the 
war on terror and the fight against Al Qaeda and Taliban." 
 
"Holbrooke Laments Gaps In Intelligence" "Dawn" (04/08) 
 
"U.S. intelligence about the make-up and recruiting power of the 
Taliban movement in Afghanistan was so shallow that it impeded the 
American war effort, President Barack Obama's special envoy to the 
region said on Tuesday.  'I am deeply, deeply dissatisfied with the 
degree of knowledge that the United States government and our 
friends and allies have on this subject,' Mr. Holbrooke told 
reporters during a break in daylong talks with Pakistan government 
officials." 
 
"Drone Attacks: Pakistan, U.S. Out Of Step With Each Other" "The 
News" (04/08) 
 
"Drone attacks and other sensitive issues cast shadows over 
high-level talks between senior Pakistan and U.S. officials.  The 
talks on Tuesday remained inconclusive because of what the 
government says were certain 'red lines, other areas of concern, 
misunderstanding,' and need for mutual trust and respect about the 
new Obama administration's policy, announced on March 27, for 
Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Most important was what Pakistan stated 
that there was a 'gap' in thinking as far as the drone attacks were 
concerned. Pakistan's apprehensions were conveyed by Prime Minister 
Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi and COAS 
Gen.  Ashfaq Parvez Kayani when they met U.S. special envoy for 
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke accompanied by Chairman 
of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michel Mullen on Tuesday." 
 
"U.S. Not To Expand Drone Attacks To Balochistan" "The News" 
E 
(04/08) 
 
"The United States has plainly told Pakistan that it would not halt 
the missile attacks by drones for the time being in areas already 
earmarked by it as hideouts of extremists and terrorists.  It, 
however, assured Pakistan that it would not expand the attacks to 
Balochistan as the province does not exist on the map drawn up for 
such attacks." 
 
"U.S. Waters Down Its Position On Taliban Presence, ISI Link" "The 
News" (04/08) 
 
"The United States has watered down its position on presence of 
Taliban Shoora in Quetta and any link of the disgruntled elements 
with Pakistan's vital organizations.   The impression was gathered 
in a meeting between Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez 
Kayani and visiting U.S. President's special envoy Richard Holbrooke 
and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen in Islamabad 
on Tuesday evening." 
 
"Nawaz Also Speaks Out Against Drone Attacks" "The News" (04/08) 
 
"Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has urged 
U.S. President Barack Obama to part ways with the Bush 
administration policy to fight terrorism.  'Diplomacy and 
development should be given priority,' Nawaz Sharif said while 
talking to U.S. special representative Richard Holbrooke and Joint 
Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen during a meeting at the 
residence of U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson at a luncheon meeting 
in Islamabad on Tuesday...." 
 
"Opposition To Requisition PA on U.S. Drone Attacks" "The News" 
(04/08) 
 
"The joint opposition in NWFP Assembly has decided to requisition 
the assembly session to discuss the drone attacks in FATA, settled 
areas in the province and take up the ongoing deteriorating law and 
order situation and recent peace agreement of the government with 
Swat militants." 
 
"More Drone Attacks Planned: NYT" "Dawn" (04/08) 
 
"Despite threats of retaliation from Pakistani militants, senior 
U.S. administration officials said on Monday that the United States 
intended to step up its use of drones to strike militants in 
Pakistan's tribal areas and might extend them to a different 
sanctuary deeper inside the country, says a report in the New York 
Times." 
 
"Drone Attacks Once Against Push IDPs To Rawalpindi" "The News" 
(04/08) 
 
"More than 300 families from tribal areas have once against migrated 
to Rawalpindi following U.S. drone attacks in their areas during the 
last few weeks.  Since inception of the new U.S. government, around 
fifteen drone attacks have been carried out by the U.S. in 
Pakistan's tribal areas." 
 
"I Have Nothing To Do With Kashmir Issue: Holbrooke" "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(04/08) 
 
"U.S. Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke while 
talking to local and international journalists at a U.S. diplomat's 
residence in Islamabad did not respond to question on drone attacks. 
 He also repudiated that impression that he has been bestowed any 
responsibility to resolve the Kashmir issue. 'I have nothing to do 
with Kashmir issue,' he added." 
 
"Pakistan Capable Of Defeating Terror: Gilani" "Dawn" (04/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has denied reports published in 
some U.S. newspapers that the government has sought direct help from 
the United States to capture or eliminate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan 
(TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud.  Talking to journalists in Rawalpindi 
on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was capable of 
defeating terrorism and the government was taking measures in this 
regard." 
 
"Kayani Says Criticism Of ISI Will Not Help War On Terror Succeed" 
"The News" (04/08) 
 
"Separately, in his meeting with Chairman U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Admiral Mike Mullen and U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and 
Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez 
Kayani categorically said continuous drone attacks and baseless 
allegations against the ISI may cause hurdles in achieving the 
objectives of war on terror." 
 
"Committee Proposes Strategy Overhaul" "Dawn" (04/08) 
 
"The 17-member bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on National 
Strategy in its final recommendations has proposed drastic changes 
in the national policy on war on terrorism.  The Committee, in its 
unanimous resolution has condemned in the strongest terms the 
increasing drone attacks on Pakistani territory which in its opinion 
were aggravating and expanding the terror attacks in settled and 
tribal areas and has demanded an immediate halt to them." 
 
"16 Militants Among 21 Killed In Buner Clash" "Dawn" (04/08) 
 
"Twenty-one people, including 16 Taliban fighters, were killed in an 
over-night clash when local volunteers and police personnel tried to 
enter the Gokand Valley to flush out militants who had sneaked into 
the area on Saturday from the neighboring Swat district." 
 
"Swat Militants Occupy College, Kidnap Cop" "The News" (04/08) 
 
"Activists of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Swat 
chapter, occupied a local college and a filling station while a 
traffic constable was also kidnapped in the valley on Tuesday." 
 
"Govt. Writ Restored In Most Of Swat: Minister" "The News" (04/08) 
 
"Expressing satisfaction over the truce in the Malakand Division, 
NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Tuesday said the 
government's writ had been restored in about 70 per cent of Swat 
area after the February 16 deal." 
 
"Dr. Parvez New PAEC Chairman" "Dawn" (04/07) 
 
"Dr. Ansar Parvez on Monday took over as new Chairman of the 
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).  The outgoing Chairman 
Anwar Ali has completed his tenure." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Counter-Terrorism," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"In January, the government did set up the National Counter 
Terrorism Authority (NCTA), tasked with coordinating intelligence 
among the FIA, IB, ISI, etc....  But a good idea on paper can only 
become a good idea in practice if the government shows real 
commitment to its success, and the requisite urgency has been 
missing in the case of NCTA.  Clearly, something radical needs to be 
done to ready our police force to take on the militants.  But 
success will only come if the plans are drawn up and executed by 
professionals with minimal political interference." 
 
"Re-Examining Terror," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"As far as the effort by top decision-makers goes to tackle the 
militant threat, this is all very well.  The fact they have sat 
down, reviewed the situation and accepted they have been failures is 
good news.  But the establishment of yet another new force must be 
questioned....  It is pointless to set up one force after the other 
if there is a risk that it may fall victim to the same weaknesses 
that crippled outfits established at considerable public expense 
previously on similar lines." 
 
"Basic Shape Of National Policy," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (04/08) 
 
"Although the new national policy will address law and order and 
other domestic issues, we feel that the foreign policy should also 
be discussed therein.  Dialogue with all states should be on the 
basis of parity....  We need a policy that not only improves our 
domestic situation but also improves our image at the international 
level." 
 
"Taliban's New Announcement Is Worth Our Attention," an editorial in 
the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/08) 
 
"The Taliban have reportedly announced to respond in Afghanistan to 
the U.S. drone attacks conducted on tribal areas in Pakistan.  At a 
time when it is said that Pakistan should not fight American war on 
its territory, the resistance forces should also not remain 
oblivious to the fact that who are they hurting in this war?  Time 
and again Pakistan has been informing American officials about the 
counter productivity of these attacks.  Taliban's current 
announcement reveals that Pakistan is facing a precarious situation 
due to these drone attacks." 
 
"Drone Attacks: Please Give Up Failed Policy Of Beating About The 
Bush," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu 
daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (04/08) 
 
"If the United States still refuses to stop drone attacks then the 
Government of Pakistan must also refuse to welcome American 
officials on its soil.  If decisions are to be made through missiles 
and rockets then what is the need for American officials to frequent 
Islamabad every now and then?" 
 
"Drone Attacks: Can A Middle Ground Be Found?," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/08) 
 
"If these [drone attacks] continue, not only they have a negative 
impact on the war on terror, but may also harm bilateral relations. 
The situation demands that Pakistan and American officials sit 
together and find a middle ground." 
 
"Balochistan - America's Next Target," an editorial in the 
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"Richard Holbrooke and Mike Mullen have refused to stop drone 
attacks on Pakistan and have alleged that Al Qaeda and Taliban 
leadership is hiding in Balochistan. In other words, they are making 
a pretext of launching drone attacks in Balochistan.  This is a ploy 
aimed at secede Balochistan from Pakistan and to occupy its mineral 
resources." 
 
"New Policy Against Terrorism?," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/08) 
 
"Pakistan has lost a vast stretch of its territory in [the FATA] 
where only the army can go if it so chooses.  All seven tribal 
agencies have been partially or completely overrun by the Taliban 
who are affiliated with Al Qaeda and work in tandem with the Afghan 
Taliban located in Balochistan under the general label of Afghan 
Shoora.  Along the border with FATA, normally administered cities 
and towns of the NWFP have fully or partially fallen to the 
Taliban....  In the rest of the country there is sympathy for the 
Taliban and indirectly for Al Qaeda....  The Madarassas have crossed 
the line and gone over to the other side.  People need protection 
that only the Taliban can provide in the end because they are the 
perpetrators of violence and fear themselves." 
 
"Form A Task Force Of Ulema, Scholars And Intellectuals" an 
editorial in the mass circulation, center-right Urdu national daily 
"Jang" (circ. 300,000) (04/08) 
 
"Keeping in view the ground realities, we must analyze the reasons 
behind the extremist mindset.  We must understand that this thought 
did not emerge all of a sudden, nor are these terrorists and 
extremists doing these acts for money.  Their hearts and minds are 
trained in such a way that makes them believe in the righteousness 
of terrorism and extremism. This then becomes a part of their faith 
and eventually they start blowing themselves and other innocent 
people without any hesitation.  Therefore, the only durable solution 
to this issue is to be realistic about this situation and to form a 
task force of Ulema, scholars and intellectuals who can then start a 
dialogue to address this issue." 
 
"License To Kill," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
"The gunning down of three female NGO workers in the Mansehra area 
along with their driver seems, initially at least, to be the work of 
militants....  But there is also a possibility that the anti-NGO 
diatribe that has come from many quarters in the aftermath of the 
flogging of a teenage girl in Swat may have led to the attack 
intended as an act of revenge.  NGOs have been blamed, shockingly 
even by some linked to the ANP government, of deliberately using 
footage dating back months to stir up a storm against the Taliban." 
 
 
"Murder Of NGO Workers," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/08) 
 
"While civil society seeks to enlist the cooperation of the people 
to strengthen the state's writ, militants want to impose their 
control in areas where they have a presence....  Quite clearly, the 
terrorists are gaining the upper hand.  In this no-win situation it 
is the people who are the worst sufferers....  It is up to the 
authorities to recognize the services being rendered by NGOs that 
assumed the primary responsibilities of the government, often at 
great risks to their workers lives....  Insecurity and fear should 
not be allowed to drive NGOs workers out of the areas which need 
them most." 
 
"Rage Against The NGOs," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/08) 
 
"The work of the NGOs in Pakistan is not only thankless because no 
one pays attention to it, it is also dangerous because even sections 
of the liberal community discount them as an unreliable source for 
reasons of 'impartiality.'  TV channels continue to challenge the 
findings of the NGOs because they are 'foreign-funded'....  The 
paranoia measures the isolation of the country in the world at the 
given moment.  After the Chand Bibi incident in Swat, NGOs may 
actually face a backlash from the terrorists while the civil society 
they endeavor to serve feels little or no sympathy for them." 
 
"Subtle Shifts," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"The reality is that not only is our own relationship with America 
undergoing change, but America is also resetting its relationships 
with other nations - including India.  The U.S. is applying 
reflective pressure on our neighbor to be a little more 'flexible' 
in regard to any number of sensitive issues.  Holbrooke may already 
be engaged in the very dialogue that is envisioned in the Asia 
Society report.  Ours are not the only arms to be twisted.  Pakistan 
has assumed a new importance, not only because of the current 
political or 'terrorist' issues; but because America under Obama 
wants to forge a new strategic alliance with us that stretches 
perhaps decades into the future - and in doing so is going alter the 
relationship it previously had with India." 
 
"Barbarism And A Desensitized Leadership," an op-ed by Shireen M. 
Mazari in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (04/08) 
 
"In the present context the issue is not one of supporting or 
opposing the Taliban.  The issue is one of establishing the writ of 
the state while negotiating peace deals.  Unfortunately, the writ of 
the state is nowhere to be seen because the rulers seem scantly 
interested.  They travel across the globe but will not visit the 
tribal belt or Swat or any other area where there is a need to show 
the presence of the state.  Instead, in the increasingly windowless 
ivory towers of Islamabad, they negotiate dangerous deals with the 
U.S. which has its own negative agenda towards Pakistan....  For 
Pakistan the US threat is even more acute because the growing spate 
of terrorism will move the U.S. one step closer to seeking control 
of our nuclear assets.  Of course, if we do this distancing from the 
U.S., claim our airbases back and stop acting as a conduit for NATO 
military supplies, there will be no immediate halt to militancy and 
extremism.  But, and this is the crucial point, the situation on the 
ground will alter in the state's favor, creating a more enabling 
operational environment in which to deal with extremism and the 
militancy that it is breeding." 
 
"Making The Obama Plan Work," an op-ed by Ijaz Hussain in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (04/08) 
 
"Here, the question arises whether or not aid with strings attached 
could make Pakistan buckle under the American pressure and toe the 
U.S. line.  It looks highly unlikely that Pakistan would jettison 
what it perceives to be in its national interest.  This could put 
the two governments on a collision course with each other, which 
would spell disaster for Pakistan and the region.  The best way to 
get Pakistan to cooperate is to find the reasons why it is so keen 
to retain influence in Afghanistan and try to meet its concerns, if 
well-founded." 
 
"Obama's Old Af-Pak Strategy," an op-ed by Dr. Muzaffar Iqbal in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"Obama is trying to use a typical Bushy tactic here.  Bush perceived 
himself as rescuing America from its enemies.  Obama is continuing 
that tradition.  Bush will be remembered in history as a man who 
destroyed America politically, economically and morally.  History's 
verdict for Obama may not be any different." 
 
"Obama's Statement," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/08) 
 
"President Obama would be mistaken if he thought that simple 
statements in speeches to complaisant audiences would be enough. 
Until the U.S. does not end both its own occupations of parts of the 
Muslim world, as well as reverse its backing for occupations of 
Muslim lands, it should not expect Muslims to believe that the USA 
is not at war with them." 
 
"Blaming The ISI," an op-ed by Sayed G.B. Bokhari in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"The American allegations about the militancy-promotion role of the 
ISI are quite absurd if one looks at them closely.  After making 
these allegations, in the same breath U.S. officials also say that 
it is unlikely that top officials in Islamabad were directly 
coordinating these clandestine efforts, further asserting that 
mid-level operatives occasionally cultivate such relationships not 
approved by their bosses.  While this absolves the ISI's top 
hierarchy from involvement in assisting the militant network, it 
betrays a significant amount of ignorance on the part of the 
Americans on the inner workings of the Pakistan army." 
 
"Pakistan-U.S. Economic Ties," an op-ed by Ishrat Hussain in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (04/08) 
 
"Although the proposed U.S. aid of $1.5 billion in the Kerry-Lugar 
bill would contribute only three to four per cent of Pakistan's 
total foreign exchange earnings the psychological damage it will 
cause to Pakistanis and Americans far exceeds the benefits derived 
from this paltry sum.  Pakistanis will resent their economic fortune 
being controlled by the U.S. and strong anti-American sentiments 
would be reinforced as a result.  There is no doubt that the Obama 
administration wishes to demonstrate through this aid bill that the 
U.S. is a long-term friend of Pakistan.  But there is the risk that 
Congress, think tanks, and the media will use this as a stick 
against Pakistan every time they perceive that it is not doing 
enough." 
Patterson