VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0894/01 1180852
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280852Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2442
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9292
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 5140
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 0165
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 7225
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1212
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000894 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 28, 2009 
 
Summary:  Security forces' claim of "inflicting heavy casualties on 
militants in clashes in Lower Dir" along with the reports that "TNSM 
suspended talks with government" dominated headlines in all 
newspapers on Tuesday.  President Zardari's statement that 
"Pakistan's nuclear capability is in safe hands" received front page 
coverage.  Some major dailies highlighted report that Foreign 
Minister Qureshi asked U.S. officials "not to panic over Taliban 
advances in tribal areas."  British Prime Minister Brown's Islamabad 
visit garnered extensive media coverage.  Newspapers reported that 
"Pakistan and Britain vow to jointly fight terrorism." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the overall security situation 
of the country with special reference to the ongoing military 
operation in district Lower Dir (NWFP).  The centrist national daily 
"The News" underlined that "an all-out operation against the 
militants must begin immediately - otherwise the perils faced by 
Pakistan will only continue to grow ever-more threatening by the 
day."  In contrast, the second largest Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt," 
noted that "by showing haste in launching a military operation in 
Lower Dir, the government has once again taken the situation towards 
unrest."  Commenting on the media reports of the U.S. apprehensions 
on safety of nuclear arsenals, the populist Urdu daily "Khabrain" 
advised the U.S. to "focus on trying to improve the situation in 
Afghanistan rather than expressing concerns on Pakistan's nuclear 
weapons."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Troops Regain Control Of Key Areas; 40 Militants Killed, Claims FC" 
"Dawn" (04/28) 
 
"Security forces claimed on Monday that they had inflicted heavy 
casualties on militants in clashes in Maidan area of Lower Dir 
district. The clashes have caused a massive displacement.  The 
Frontier Corps said in a statement that more than 40 militants, two 
'commanders' among them, had been killed in operation since Sunday. 
It said troops had regained control of Lal Qila and flushed out 
militants from Maidan valley, the native region of Sufi Mohammad, 
chief of the banned TNSM." 
 
"Lower Dir Under Control Of Security Forces: Malik" "Dawn" (04/28) 
 
"Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed on Monday that Lower 
Dir was under the 'complete control' of security forces, but 
admitted that militants were active in Buner." 
 
"TNSM-Govt. Talks On Hold" "The News" (04/28) 
 
"The Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi on Monday suspended talks with 
the government unless the newly-launched military operation in Dir 
Lower is stopped. TNSM spokesman Ameer Izzat Khan accused the 
government of violating the peace deal, holding it responsible for 
any adverse consequence." 
 
"N-Weapons In Safe Hands: Zardari" "Dawn" (04/28) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that security forces 
could have eliminated militants in tribal areas if they possessed 
the drone technology.  'The government possesses the will to fight 
militants, but there are areas where capability needs to be 
strengthened.  The international community can play a significant 
role in this regard,' the president said while talking to foreign 
journalists.  He ruled out the possibility of nuclear weapons 
falling into wrong hands and said they were in safe hands." 
 
"No Need To Panic, U.S. told; Pak, Afghan And Iranian FMs Agree To 
Expand Cooperation" "The News" (04/28) 
 
"The first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan 
and Iran was held in Kabul on Monday where, according to a joint 
statement, there was recognition that the three countries and the 
region face common and serious challenges and, in that regard, 
emphasized the need to expand trilateral cooperation in various 
fields.... Talking to The Associated Press on the sidelines of 
meetings with his Afghan and Iranian counterparts, Foreign Minister 
Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked U.S. officials on Monday not to panic 
over Taliban advances in tribal areas, saying, his country would not 
surrender or capitulate to militants." 
 
"Pakistan, U.K. At One Against Terrorism: Brown" "The News" (04/28) 
 
"Pakistan and Britain have expressed their firm resolve to jointly 
fight terrorism and militancy to bring peace to the region as well 
to the world at large.  'Today we have agreed a stronger and vital 
relationship between the two countries to combat terrorism and 
militancy. The two nations are victims of terrorism and both will 
fight the menace jointly,' Brown said while addressing a joint press 
conference with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime 
Minister's House in Islamabad on Monday." 
 
"People Run For Their Lives As Fighting Rages In Dir" "The News" 
(04/28) 
 
"The residents started leaving their homes for safer places.  The 
residents leaving the area said the operation had caused great 
losses to life and property.  The internally displaced persons 
(IDPs) said they saw bodies lying in fields and pathways which could 
not be removed due to curfew in the area." 
 
"Washington Urged Against Dictating Terms To Islamabad" "The News" 
(04/28) 
 
"The U.S. should persuade India to pull back its troops from 
Kashmir, so that Pakistan could focus more effectively on the fight 
against violent extremism, a key Republican senator said, as U.S. 
lawmakers urged Washington against dictating terms to Islamabad. 
Appearing on the Fox News channel, Senator Kit Bond, the top 
Republican on the Intelligence Committee, and Democratic Senator 
Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, favored 
the U.S. economic and security assistance for Pakistan, considered 
by the Obama administration as critical to its anti-terrorism 
success in Afghanistan. 
 
"Pakistan To Get Most Of $1.5 Billion War Expenses Before June" "The 
News" (04/28) 
 
"Pakistan and the United States have put in place a new system, 
under which Washington will ensure speedy reimbursement of 
expenditures being incurred on war against terrorism, and the 
services and facilities being rendered by Pakistan Armed Forces on 
this vital front, a senior official at the Ministry of Finance told 
'The News.'  Under the new system, Pakistan is to get, before the 
month of June in which the federal budget to be announced, most of 
the total amount of $1.5 billion which the U.S. owes to Pakistan." 
 
"NWFP govt. Tells Taliban To Leave Buner Or Face Action" "Daily 
Times" (04/28) 
 
"NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar on Monday warned the 
Taliban of military action if they did not leave Buner district. 
'Leave Buner or face action,' the Minister said while addressing a 
news conference in Timergara." 
 
"Full-Scale Military Operation Likely In Buner" "The News" (04/28) 
 
"The Army is gearing up for launching a full-scale military 
operation in the strategically located Buner district to defeat the 
militants and secure control of the area to block their possible 
advances to other areas, particularly Hazara, official sources told 
'The News' on Monday." 
 
"Taliban Capture Exchange, Loot NGO; Lawyers Warned Of Action As 
Tension Escalates In Swat" "The News" (04/28) 
 
"Tension in Swat Valley is fast escalating as Taliban continued 
armed patrolling, threatened a group of lawyers and recalcitrant 
militants of actions, captured telephone exchange in Sataal and 
looted two NGO offices in Saidu Sharif." 
 
"Troops Deployed Along Karakoram Highway" "Dawn" (04/28) 
 
"The government on Monday deployed army troops on the Karakoram 
Highway in Shangla, Battagram and Kohistan following attacks on some 
NGO offices in Saidu sharif." 
 
"56% In FATA See Afghan Taliban As 'Heroes': Survey" "Daily Times" 
(04/28) 
"Exactly 56 percent respondents described Afghanistan's Taliban as 
'Islamic heroes fighting western occupation' in a survey conducted 
by Community Appraisal and Motivation Program (CAMP) with the help 
of the British High Commission in Islamabad." 
 
"Tableeghi Jamaat Leaders Denounce Gunpoint Shariah" "Dawn" (04/28) 
 
"In an unprecedented move, top leaders of the Tableeghi Jamaat 
(Largest Muslim missionary group that preaches Islam, and believes 
in non-violence) have denounced enforcement of Sharia at gunpoint, 
religious extremism, militancy and terrorism.  Leaders of the 
Jamaat, who scrupulously avoid speaking on controversial issues, 
also called for promoting inter-faith harmony, tolerance, human 
rights, social justice and peace." 
 
"Taliban Kill 'U.S. Spy'" "The News" (04/28) 
 
"The Taliban militants killed a man in the tribal area accusing him 
of spying for the U.S. forces stationed in Afghanistan.  A note 
found with the body said he was 'an important U.S. spy,' a local 
administration official said on Monday requesting anonymity." 
 
"NATO Warships Begin Exercise With Pakistan Navy" "Dawn" (04/28) 
 
"NATO warships sailed out on Monday to take part in an exercise with 
Pakistan Navy and its air units against piracy, terrorism and human 
trafficking in the Arabian Sea....  The exercise will provide an 
opportunity to reassess the timely force availability by developing 
mission-tailored units, both fleet and marines, augmented with 
specialized modular units and command-and-control elements, capable 
of flexibly switching roles and tasks, at and from the sea." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"End Of The Short 'Peace'?," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/28) 
 
"We cannot hope to get away by killing militants in one place and 
striking accords with them in another.  There needs to be a more 
holistic plan in place to combat the militant threat.  A failure to 
do so will be disastrous, with the U.S. already issuing warnings 
that it will step in if Pakistan fails....  The statement from the 
Taliban that they have no plan to lay down arms till all Americans 
leave Pakistan is just one indication of the growing tensions 
between the government and the TNSM.  It is also becoming clear that 
the aged Sufi Muhammad Khan cannot deliver much, if anything at all, 
of what he has promised.  An all-out operation against the militants 
must begin immediately - otherwise the perils faced by Pakistan will 
only continue to grow ever-more threatening by the day." 
 
"Haste In Military Operation," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) 
(04/28) 
 
"By showing haste in launching a military operation in Lower Dir, 
the government has once again taken the situation towards unrest. 
Perhaps this operation is the result of the U.S. threats through 
Hillary Clinton and other U.S. officials that the U.S. would bomb 
Taliban hideouts itself if the government does not stop the Taliban 
from advancing towards Islamabad....  What is the difference between 
the present government and Musharraf's dictatorship if the present 
rulers are also bowing to U.S. pressure and spilling Pakistanis 
blood in military operations?" 
 
"U.S. Threat Of Interference In Swat Is Meaningful," an editorial in 
the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (04/28) 
 
"U.S. authorities should have faith that Pakistan's nuclear assets 
are safe....  The Taliban had occupied Buner a few days ago, yet 
just one operation by the armed forces was enough to drive them 
away.  The U.S. should focus on trying to improve the situation in 
Afghanistan rather than expressing concerns on Pakistan's nuclear 
weapons." 
 
"Pakistan's Nuclear Assets, Hillary Clinton's Statement And The 
Government," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/28) 
 
"Even U.S. military officials have praised the command and control 
system established by Pakistan after the nuclear tests....  Despite 
this, from time to time, U.S. authorities try to pressurize Pakistan 
and reveal their ill intent about Pakistan's nuclear program.... 
The government must lodge a strong protest against Hillary Clinton's 
statement as it is akin to destabilizing Pakistan and encouraging 
Pakistan's enemies." 
 
"Doing More," an editorial in the center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/28) 
 
"If Secretary Clinton is sincere, she should listen to President 
Zardari, who will have the opportunity during his forthcoming U.S. 
visit, to tell her that the U.S. policies in the region do not 
enable the achievement of U.S. goals, let alone Pakistani. 
Secretary Clinton has revealed the abiding fear the U.S. has of the 
Taliban, or their Al-Qaeda allies, getting a nuclear weapon, and 
also the fear that this will be a Pakistani weapon....  It should be 
noted that the U.S. concern over the safety of Pakistani nuclear 
weapons has its origins in baseless Indian propaganda about them.... 
 If Pakistan is to resist terror, the U.S. must provide it the means 
with which to do so, such as sophisticated weapons." 
 
"Results Of Growing American Pressure," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(04/28) 
 
"If we continue to abide by the U.S. policies blindly, the day is 
not far when Pakistan will turn into another Afghanistan or Iraq. 
Therefore, it is essential to see things not with an American 
perspective, but we should formulate a unified national policy to 
drive the country out of the present quandary.  Any further delay 
will take us to a point of no-return." 
 
"U.S. And Pakistan Role In The Afghan War," an editorial in liberal 
Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/28) 
 
"Now that the global situation has taken a new turn and the war on 
terror is affecting the entire world not just the U.S., it is 
imperative that the new U.S. administration understand the ground 
realities also.  The U.S., and not Pakistan, is responsible for the 
spread of terrorism around the world; hence eliminating terrorism is 
also America's responsibility.  Therefore, instead of mounting 
pressure on Pakistan, the Obama administration should try to help 
Pakistan and try to resolve its economic problems." 
 
"No More 'Do More,' Please," an editorial in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (04/28) 
 
"President Zardari would be agreeing to 'do more' at the cost of his 
popularity - already under erosion thanks to the American media. 
President Zardari wouldn't be able to concede anything beyond what 
Pakistan has already committed to America's anti-terrorism war in 
this region.  He is incapacitated by the harsh reality that 
Pakistan's losses, both in terms of human sufferings and economic 
hardships, far exceed than those of its partners.'  As he proceeds 
to hear 'do more' mantra Pakistan's partnership has come under 
sharper focus, as there is the public perception that its so-called 
allies are busy conspiring to dispossess it of its nuclear 
capability." 
 
"Swat Agreement - An American Target," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" 
(cir. 3,000) (04/28) 
 
"The U.S. has opposed the Swat Peace Deal, and the Pakistan 
government cannot annoy Americans, thus the future of this accord 
was uncertain right from the day one. U.S. continues to create hype 
about Taliban and their capabilities and intentions. The idea behind 
Swat Peace Deal was to separate common people from Taliban, but 
Americans perhaps don't want to do so.  Consequently, a bloody 
conflict is to be unleashed soon, and more Pakistanis will be 
butchered by one another that will be ours loss in the end." 
 
"What Is America Looking For?," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) 
(04/28) 
 
"It seems that the U.S. is giving an impression that Taliban can 
takeover Islamabad and possibly can control Pakistan's nuclear 
weapons.  In that case, it would become inevitable for the U.S. to 
come to rescue the nuclear arsenals to save the world from any 
possible nuclear threat. Before reaching to this point, the U.S. 
administration and the media are building momentum by raising fear 
and uncertainty in Pakistan and about the future of Pakistan." 
 
"Military Operation In Lower Dir," an editorial in the center-right 
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/28) 
 
"It is not easy to face [U.S.] pressure....  However, the agreement 
with Sufi Muhammad to deal with the Taliban issue in Swat and 
Malakand needs to be implemented in letter and spirit. It is 
encouraging to note that the government has said the operation in 
Lower Dir does not affect the peace deal in Swat.  Moreover, until 
the Qazi Courts are established, undue pressure should not be 
exerted for the surrender of weapons.  On the other hand, the 
Taliban must also try to understand the gravity of the situation. 
According to the promise made earlier, they must hand over their 
arms to the government and adopt the peaceful strategy of preaching 
to set up an Islamic society." 
 
"Peace Deal, U.S. Demands And The Operation," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir.5000) (04/28) 
 
"The operation in Lower Dir is taking the situation in a direction 
where chances of peace are again being minimized....  This change in 
the national scenario demands that the government take a fresh look 
at Pak-U.S. relations.  The government should take steps that do not 
compromise its autonomy and independence." 
 
"Military Operation: Devise Clear Policy After Consultations," an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" 
(cir. 300,000) (04/28) 
 
"The government must take all the political parties, coalition 
partners and tribal elders into confidence on the military operation 
against the militants, and chalk out a comprehensive and concrete 
strategy to deal with this situation.  The irresolution and 
ambiguous approach have exacerbated the state of affairs, undermine 
the national security, integrity and sovereignty, and provided other 
countries an opportunity to meddle into our internal affairs." 
 
"Dir Operation," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/28) 
 
"Pakistan is ceding territory by the day and anyone who thinks that 
the Taliban advance can somehow be confined to 'that' part of the 
country is sadly mistaken....  Every single 'deal,' and there have 
been many of them, has only allowed the Taliban to regroup and 
prepare for fresh assaults against the federation.  It has to be 
acknowledged once and for all that the Taliban are the single 
biggest enemy the country has ever faced since 1947....  It can only 
be hoped that the operation in Dir is not a one-off move aimed at 
countering western criticism of Pakistani inaction.  To be 
successful, it has to be part of a wider strategy of taking on the 
Taliban with all the force the military commands....  A clear 
message needs to be sent that the government, the army and the 
people of Pakistan are all on the same page." 
 
"Peace In Malakand," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/28) 
 
"There is a need on the part of the TNSM and TTP to avoid the path 
that leads to confrontation and bloodshed.  A free society allows 
all interest groups and political parties to express their views in 
order to gather support for them....  What is not allowed, however, 
is recourse to the use of force for the implementation of one's 
program.  Anyone attempting to do that is liable to be confronted by 
the collective will of the people of Pakistan." 
 
"First, We Must Have The Will To Fight The Taliban," an editorial in 
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (04/28) 
 
"If the operation in Dir is not the beginning of a larger strategy 
of dealing with the threat of the Taliban, it is bound to fail, 
adding to the suffering of the people....  When the Taliban agree to 
a ceasefire anywhere, they want to gain time to put in motion the 
logistics of reinforcement.  It is not a force that you can defeat 
in one area and hope that they will not return....  The army must 
decide to mobilize at a scale commensurate with the force of the 
enemy being engaged, with the capacity to look after people who will 
be displaced by conflict....  The kind of action required should 
have needed consultations at the international level in order to 
have a clear understanding about how risky the mobilization against 
the Taliban will be in relation to the army's defence 
responsibilities with regard to India." 
 
"Taliban Terror," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/28) 
 
"It is time that, as citizens, we fought back for our rights; for 
our space and for our right to live without constant fear.  So far 
this struggle has not been taken up in earnest.  It is time to push 
back the tide and rescue our nation from a fate that will jeopardize 
the future of all its citizens." 
 
"Seeds Of Rebellion," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/28) 
 
"General Kayani spoke and the Taliban left with their tails between 
their legs in Buner, so we're told.  Does this mean that unless the 
Army Chief brandishes his stick in the air, the militants don't 
listen to any lesser human?  While we wish our soldiers Godspeed, we 
need to be alert to the criticism creeping out from the West 
regarding Pakistan's weakness to fight the extremists.  Our Army 
Chief has rightly denounced the hand-wringing while the GHQ has 
castigated America and Britain for casting aspersions on the ISI. 
But such sentiment is ephemeral, it quickly vanishes.  If history 
has taught us any lesson then we must watch what's happening around 
us with eyes wide open." 
 
"Faltering U.S. Strategy," an op-ed by Masood Sharif Khan Khattak in 
the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/28) 
 
"It is in the long-term interest of the U.S. itself to seek peace 
rather than continue to destabilize the region through a heavy 
military presence in a combat role.  It is also not going to be long 
before the cash starved U.S. public starts calling for an end to the 
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; a call no U.S. administration will be 
able to ignore.  This region will then be lost to the U.S. for many 
decades to come.  Contrarily, indefinite U.S. military occupation of 
Afghanistan will create a devastating turmoil in the region. 
Resultantly, the U.S. will lose its present foothold in Afghanistan. 
Without a doubt, it is now time for the U.S. to spread a new canvas 
and paint afresh a picture of peace which has goodwill, development, 
fraternity, tranquility and inter-faith harmony painted clearly if 
it wants its influence and diplomatic presence in this region to 
remain." 
 
"Battle For Pakistan's Soul," an op-ed by Javid Husain in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(04/28) 
 
"The turmoil in FATA is directly linked to the continued fighting 
and instability in Afghanistan and the presence of foreign forces in 
that country....  The measure of the success of our diplomacy 
vis-`-vis the Americans will be our ability to convince them that 
failing such a new political dispensation, the restoration of peace 
and stability in Afghanistan will remain a pipe dream and their 
pressure on us to do more will merely destabilize Pakistan with 
dangerous consequences for them and the whole region.  What the 
Americans need is to do more politically in Afghanistan instead of 
relying on the brute use of force to achieve their goals." 
Feierstein