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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000756 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 09, 2009 
 
Summary:  Most dailies on Thursday highlighted President Zardari's 
remarks made during his interview with British daily, "The 
Independent" that the "U.S. has promised no drone strikes in 
Balochistan."  Also front-paged were reports that Taliban commander 
Mullah Nazeer Ahmad claimed that "Taliban will soon capture 
Islamabad."  Newspapers gave prominent coverage to reports that 
"Swat Taliban move to gain foothold in adjacent Buner region."  All 
newspapers highlighted comments by U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke, 
currently visiting India, ruling out "nudging India to resume 
bilateral talks with Pakistan."  The killing of four militants as a 
result of U.S. drone attack in South Waziristan Agency also received 
wide coverage.  Reports and photographs of the meetings of 
Congressional delegation, led by John Kyl, with Pakistani government 
officials also garnered media attention. 
 
Most major dailies continued to run editorials on the recent visit 
of Richard Holbrooke and Admiral Mike Mullen to Pakistan.  The 
English daily, "Dawn," noted that "for the first time since the two 
joined hands in the battle against militancy, both sides have 
publicly acknowledged that they differ markedly on how the fight 
should be fought."  Another English daily, "The News," observed that 
"for the first time since the new U.S. administration took over 
early this year, Washington and Islamabad have conceded that they 
distinctly differ on their approach to terrorism.  The move by 
Islamabad to respond in no uncertain terms to Washington's demands 
is welcome."   The second largest Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt," wrote: 
"This is a welcome development that our rulers, weary of repeated 
American demands, have courageously conveyed 'no-more' to the 
American officials."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Balochistan to Be Spared Of Drone Raids, Zardari Assured" "Dawn" 
(04/09) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has said the United States has assured 
Pakistan that it has no intention to extend drone attacks to 
Balochistan.  'President Obama has denied any such intentions to 
extend the use of drone attacks to Balochistan,' he said in an 
interview to a British newspaper 'The Independent.'" 
 
"Al Qaeda Does Not Exist In Balochistan, U.S. Fears Not True: Chief 
Minister Raisani" "Jasarat" (04/07) 
 
"Balochistan's Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani while talking to 
media in Karachi has rejected the reports of Al Qaeda's presence in 
Balochistan and has warned that if drone attacks were initiated 
against Balochistan they will meet severe resistance." 
 
"Pakistan To Do U.S. Bidding If Drones Provided" "The News" (04/09) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has called on America to provide his 
country with an arsenal of drones and missiles to target militants 
blamed for a wave of violence rather than to carry out independent 
operations that violate the nation's sovereignty." 
 
"Taliban Will Soon Capture Islamabad, Says Mullah Nazeer" "Daily 
Times" (04/09) 
 
"Pakistani Taliban commander Mullah Nazeer Ahmed said in an 
interview with Al Qaeda's media arm, Al-Sahab, that the Taliban 
would soon capture Islamabad.  Pakistani Taliban factions had united 
and would take their war to the capital, he said." 
 
"Swat Taliban Move to Gain Foothold In Buner" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"After consolidating their hold on Swat, militants in the valley 
have ventured into the adjacent Buner region and rejected calls by 
the local Qaumi Jirga to leave the district." 
 
"U.S. Rejects Indo-Pak Mediation" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"U.S. Af-Pak envoy Richard Holbrooke said in New Delhi on Wednesday 
that he sees peace in the region possible only with India's active 
support to the efforts undertaken by Pakistan and Afghanistan, but 
he ruled out nudging New Delhi to resume bilateral talks with 
Islamabad as a step in that effort." 
"India, Pakistan, U.S. Face Common Threat, Says Holbrooke" "The 
News" (04/09) 
 
"The threat posed by Al Qaeda and its allies can be met only with 
the joint efforts of arch rivals India and Pakistan, as well as the 
United States, U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard 
Holbrooke told reporters in New Delhi." 
 
"U.S. Envoys Had 'Good Meetings' With Pak Leaders" "The News" 
(04/09) 
 
"The United States on Wednesday said its top envoys, Special 
Representative for Region Richard Holbrooke and Chairman Joint 
Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen, had constructive meetings with Pakistani 
leaders this week, adding it supports Islamabad in fighting 
extremism on Afghan border, State Department spokesman Robert Wood 
said at the daily briefing." 
 
"Four Militants Killed In U.S. Drone In South Waziristan" "Dawn" 
(04/09) 
 
"A suspected U.S. pilotless plane killed Four militants in an attack 
on a vehicle in South Waziristan on Wednesday." 
 
"Obama's New Strategy Sours U.S.-Pakistan Ties" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy is causing serious 
differences between the United States and Pakistan over how to fight 
the militants hiding in the Pak-Afghan region.  U.S. think-tanks and 
the media believe that the differences revolve around two major 
issues: India's role in Afghanistan and the drone attacks at 
suspected terrorist targets inside Pakistan. In a report distributed 
on Wednesday, the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations noted that in 
their meetings with America's special envoy Richard Holbrooke and 
Chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, 
Pakistani officials contended that Washington showed 
disproportionate support for India in its bilateral relations with 
Pakistan." 
 
"U.S. Criticized For Ignoring Pakistan's Concerns" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"When they ask Pakistan to sever its alleged ties with the Taliban, 
U.S. officials focus on three militant leaders, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, 
Commander Jalaluddin Haqqani and Commander Nazir.  Diplomatic 
observers in Washington, however, acknowledge that while urging 
Pakistan to end its links to the militants, the Americans do not 
address the concerns and fears that force Pakistan to keep an option 
other than the one offered by the United States." 
 
"Drones May Have Hurt More Than Helped, Says U.S. Officials" "The 
Nation" (04/09) 
 
"Concerns are growing among U.S. intelligence and military officials 
that the increasing drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas strikes 
are bolstering the insurgency by prompting Islamist radicals to 
disperse into the country's heartland, according to a media 
report." 
 
"Extremists Relocating To Big Cities To Avoid Drone Attacks" "Daily 
Times" (04/09) 
 
"Al Qaeda, Taliban and other militants have been relocating from the 
Tribal Areas to Pakistan's overcrowded and impoverished cities, 
which is likely to make it harder to find and stop them from staging 
terrorist attacks, officials say." 
 
"Nawaz Asks U.S. To Deal FATA Politically" "The News" (04/09) 
 
"PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif during a meeting with different foreign 
diplomats, members of the U.S. Senate and Congressmen has opposed 
the use of force and drone attacks in the tribal areas and stressed 
for need for resolving issues through dialogue." 
 
"Envoys Support Nawaz's Stance On Drone Attacks" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"Envoys of some European and Latin American countries as well as a 
group of U.S. Congressmen and Senators called on Pakistan Muslim 
League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence on Wednesday, 
supported Nawaz's stance on drone attacks, and said the air-strikes 
were a violation of Pakistan's airspace." 
 
"NA Committee Proposes Talks With Militants" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"A Parliamentary Committee has outlined a new peace initiative, 
calling for initiating talks with extremists and militants who 
accepted the government's writ, instead of waiting for them to lay 
down arms." 
 
"Clocks To Be Advanced On 15th" "Dawn" (04/09) 
 
"The Federal Cabinet decided on Wednesday to advance the clock by 
one hour (GMT+6) from April 15 as an energy conservation measure." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"A New Stance," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/09) 
 
"For the first time since the two joined hands in the battle against 
militancy, both sides have publicly acknowledged that they differ 
markedly on how the fight should be fought....  Unfortunately, the 
Obama administration's policy on Pakistan is similar to that of its 
predecessor.  Its tone, in fact, is even more aggressive and 
threatening....  Then there is the curious expectation that Pakistan 
will do more even as inflammatory stories are planted in the 
American press." 
 
"Harsh Words," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/09) 
 
"For the first time since the new US administration took over early 
this year, Washington and Islamabad have conceded that they 
distinctly differ on their approach to terrorism....  The move by 
Islamabad to respond in no uncertain terms to Washington's demands 
is welcome....  If Washington had believed it could simply bulldoze 
through its dictates, it has run into an obstacle." 
 
"A Message To The U.S. That Says 'No More': Fulfill All Demands To 
Defend The Borders Now," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) 
(04/09) 
 
"This is a welcome development that our rulers, weary of repeated 
American demands, have courageously conveyed 'no-more' to the 
American officials.... Our administration should not let any drone 
return in one piece....  This is the time for practical steps; 
America is an enemy country and not our ally and it should be dealt 
with accordingly." 
 
"Has The Moment Of Decision Still Not Arrived?," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(04/09) 
 
"Pakistan Foreign Minister's statement that they have drawn a red 
line before the U.S. and that the U.S. has acceded to Pakistan's 
posture of not launching ground attacks is an attempt to divert 
attention from the real issue.  Ground attacks in the tribal areas 
have never been a priority with the U.S. Had the American troops 
been capable of succeeding in ground assaults they must done so in 
Southern Afghanistan where they are at the mercy of the Taliban. 
The U.S. is just maintaining its edge in Afghanistan due to its 
aerial superiority and is also trying to wash away it embarrassment 
by launching aerial attacks in Pakistani tribal areas.  If the 
Pakistani leadership acts with courage, then these drone attacks 
could be stopped." 
 
"Don't Come Under U.S. Pressure," an editorial in the Peshawar-based 
Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (04/09) 
 
"The recent team of U.S. visitors was of diplomatic level, which met 
Pakistan's top leadership which is against diplomatic norms.  These 
negotiations should have held on the diplomatic level alone.  By 
negotiating with the top Pakistani leadership the U.S. diplomats 
have tried to give a psychological impression that the U.S. still 
desires to continue its supremacy over the world and is still 
pursuing the uni-polar world order.  The sole purpose of their visit 
was to brief their Pakistani interlocutors about the new U.S. 
polices and that how Pakistan should act upon those.  It is high 
time the elected government of Pakistan acted with prudence in 
dealing with the U.S." 
 
"Holbrooke-Mullen Mission ... U.S. Ambitions Have Come To The Fore," 
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" 
(cir. 10,000) (04/09) 
 
"After coming into power, several Pakistani quarters were expecting 
President Obama that he would altogether change the policies of 
President Bush and would pursue reconciliation.  But time has once 
again proven that faces change in the U.S. but the policies remain 
the same.  The Obama administration is proving much worse than the 
Bush administration towards Pakistan." 
 
"Trust Deficit," an editorial in the center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/09) 
 
"Many had hoped that as a result of the policy review, the Obama 
Administration would change the Bush-era shock and awe strategy. 
What one finds is that the new Administration is determined to 
follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, landing itself in a cul 
de sac as before.  The recourse to the familiar carrot and stick 
policy won't help.  No government that compromises on national 
sovereignty for the lure of enhanced American aid can survive 
long." 
 
"Stop Drone Attacks And Give Technical Assistance," an editorial in 
the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (04/09) 
 
"We see a crisis of confidence if we keep in perspective the U.S. 
and NATO military officials statements on ISI and Pakistan Army.... 
Various aspects of this trust deficit should be pondered over by 
U.S. and Pakistani administrations and a joint strategy should be 
prepared....  American think-tanks and intelligence organizations 
are cognizant of the fact that these [drone] attacks are increasing 
Pakistanis hatred against America.  Actually, presence of foreign 
forces and their action anywhere never solved problems." 
 
"Drone Attacks: Debate In Parliament Needed," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/09) 
 
"Pakistan has rejected American proposal for joint military 
operation against terrorism and militancy in Pakistani tribal areas 
near the Afghan border....  Both the American officials visited with 
the notion of speaking sternly with Pakistani political and military 
leadership in order to pressurize Pakistan for doing more against 
terrorism.  Not only Pakistani leadership strongly reacted to this 
notion, but also sternly rejected the U.S. allegation that Pakistani 
elements are providing protection to some Taliban elements and 
encouraging them to attack NATO forces." 
 
"Pak-U.S. Relations And Demands Of The Situation," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (03/09) 
 
"Pakistan has rejected the U.S. proposal for a joint operation in 
the tribal areas and even on the drone attacks it has made clear to 
the U.S. that this policy in fact strengthening the extremists.... 
As far as U.S. allegations go, one aspect of this is that India and 
Afghanistan want to exert pressure on the U.S. to somehow weaken 
ISI. They know that ISI is working for Pakistan's interests and is 
defending the country on several fronts.  No country, including the 
U.S., can be permitted to hurl allegations against our 
institutions....  The U.S. must now understand that future relations 
between the two countries will depend on mutual respect and trust." 
 
"Correct Response To American Authorities," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 5000) (03/09) 
 
"It is clear from the meetings between Pakistani and U.S. officials 
that the U.S. is not satisfied at the level of Pakistan's 
cooperation [against terrorism].  The U.S. feels that no option 
other than the drone attacks can stop the tribal militants from 
becoming a threat to America.  The fact, however, is that the method 
America is adopting to eliminate its enemies is immediately creating 
new enemies for Pakistan.  Pakistan cannot reject this option for 
very long.  Pakistan immediately needs to adopt a policy against 
terrorism that is workable, satisfies the U.S., eliminates the 
militants and has national consensus." 
"Review Policies," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist 
center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (03/09) 
 
"The shape of the new U.S. policy is very clear from statements made 
by U.S. representatives. Firstly, America has made up its mind that 
the solution to the Afghan war lies not in Afghanistan but Pakistan. 
In other words, Pakistan will be the center of the war on terror and 
this war will be fought on Pakistani soil....  The excuse will be 
Baitullah Mehsud and Al Qaeda leadership, but the actual target will 
be Pakistan's nuclear weapons." 
 
"U.S. Should Respect Pakistan's Sovereignty," an editorial in the 
Hyderabad-based independent Sindhi Daily "Kawish" (Cir. 105,000) 
(04/09) 
 
"Even the second visit of U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke to 
Pakistan has not helped resolve continued drone attack issue. 
Though the U.S. has declared Pakistan as a non-NATO ally but the 
level of trust is such that it refused to give these drones to 
Pakistan for furthering anti-terror agenda.  The only feasible way 
for fighting terrorism now seems to be that the U.S. should equip 
Pakistani army so that Pakistan could act itself while the U.S. 
should respect Pakistan's sovereignty." 
 
"U.S. Attacks To Continue," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) 
(04/09) 
 
"U.S. special envoy for region Richard Holbrooke and Gen. Mike 
Mullen visited Pakistan to tell us that drone attacks would continue 
and that US army is going to buy 50 additional spy jets to speed up 
the attacks and that the day may not be far off when Balochistan too 
would be under attack on pretext of Al-Qaeda and Taliban presence 
there." 
 
"America Suffers Isolation," an editorial in the Hyderabad-based 
liberal and independent Sindhi Daily "Ibrat" (Cir. 80,000) (04/09) 
 
"Pakistan has rightly rejected the U.S. suggestion for joint 
operations in FATA.  One should not even imagine that Pakistan would 
allow foreign armies to use its territory.  U.S. is perceived in the 
world to be a country which is self-centered, and always promoting 
its own interests thereby ignoring the concerns of other 
countries." 
 
"New Afghan Policy And Richard Holbrooke's Visit," an editorial in 
Karachi-based pro-left and secular Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" (Cir. 
70,000) (04/9) 
 
"It gives people a sense of satisfaction that our government has a 
clear position on drone attacks and they presented their point of 
view courageously during their meetings with U.S. high officials. 
We expect that government would be successful in convincing the 
Obama administration to end drone attacks because it is in the 
interest of both the countries." 
 
"Undue U.S. Pressure," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (04/09) 
 
"The clear stance taken by the Pakistan government is an unexpected 
occurrence for the U.S. officials....  The tone and tenor of the 
U.S. officials is objectionable given Pakistan's total support to 
the war on terror.  In the past, the Pakistan governments bent over 
backwards to defend the drone attacks and played down their impact. 
The U.S. has exploited the situation a bit too much....  The U.S. 
should understand that it is dealing with a democratic government in 
Pakistan that is responsible and is answerable to the people." 
 
"America's Deepening Interest In FATA," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (04/09) 
 
"Visit to Islamabad by Holbrooke and Admiral Mullen was basically 
aimed at pressurizing Pakistan to agree to the air operations in 
FATA by offering in return economic and security assistance.... 
Instead of using bullying tactics, it would be more appropriate if 
United States trust to the commitments of the political, military 
and intelligence leadership of Pakistan as nothing else would work 
to eradicate terrorism." 
"U.S.-Pak: Agreeing To Disagree," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/09) 
 
"Is this the parting of the ways?  No, if you read into Foreign 
Minister Qureshi's announcement that discussion of the "differences" 
will be carried forward in the Afghan-Pak-US talks coming in the 
first week of May in Washington.  Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani 
rallied behind his foreign minister by saying that Pakistan was 
capable of defeating terrorism, although the world is yet to see the 
first demonstration of this capacity.  There was a promise of 
retreat from partnership in this as he complained of the non-receipt 
of the pledged $1.5 billion meant for setting up special industrial 
zones in the tribal areas. 
The two sides are definitely testing each other on their separate 
needs to remain inside the anti-terror alliance." 
 
"Obama's New Strategy," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (04/09) 
 
"Obama's new strategy represents the beginning of a new and 
concerted effort to increase pressure on Pakistan.  That is 
Holbrooke's likely mission, he has warned that U.S. patience is 
wearing thin, but he should know that Pakistan is more important to 
the U.S. than Afghanistan....  There are no easy solutions for 
either the U.S. or Pakistan.  Both are paying the price of colossal 
errors and lapses." 
 
"The CIA's Footprints," an op-ed by Ahmed Quraishi in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/09) 
 
"The CIA faces its toughest test yet to prove wrong the suspicions 
of many within the Pakistani strategic community that some of the 
terrorism exported from Afghan soil into Pakistan has direct or 
indirect support from Washington....  In 2002, the Americans were 
allowed to establish bases in Balochistan and CIA was given the 
right to recruit Pakistanis in the tribal belt.  These two areas of 
Pakistan are now the most disturbed parts of our country.  And now 
our territory is being used to attack the interests of Iran and 
China.  Washington is creating conditions across our western belt 
that would make it impossible for China to pursue trade and energy 
corridors through Pakistan." 
 
"'I've Got To Run': Holbrooke's Sham Press Conference," news 
commentary by Qudssia Akhlaque in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/09) 
 
"U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke's much awaited first press 
conference in Islamabad on Tuesday turned out to be an utter 
anti-climax, if not a sham, with the unaccommodating American 
diplomat not conceding an inch to the curious Pakistani media.... 
Holbrooke, who was here on his second visit since assuming his new 
position, was put on the defensive by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood 
Qureshi's uncharacteristically hard-hitting opening statement in 
which for the first time Pakistan-U.S. sharp differences on key 
issues, particularly the drone strikes, surfaced loud and clear. 
Holbrooke seemed disconcerted by Qureshi's straight talk in the open 
about the existing irritants in the ongoing cooperation in the war 
on terror between the two allies." 
 
"Are U.S. And Pakistan Parting Ways?," a news analysis by Hamid Mir 
in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/09) 
 
"Despite all the Pak-U.S. misunderstandings, I am hopeful that we 
can move forward together with a new agenda with new priorities.  I 
am hopeful because lot of young American students told me that they 
wanted peace not war.  Many of them condemned the U.S. drone attacks 
in the Pakistani tribal areas because these attacks were a violation 
of the international law.  They wanted to separate fiction from 
reality.  We can definitely make each other secure by identifying 
the real problems with right solutions. 
Patterson