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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000708 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP, AC, PM 
 
STATE FOR INR/MR 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
STATE FOR AID/APRE-A 
 
USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN- 
PAKISTAN/TERRORISM/HOLBROOKE VISIT; NEW DELHI-APRIL 10- 
13, 2009. 
 
This countrywide cable reports on relevant media 
reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. 
The Mission reports on English-language media via email 
through the daily "Early Edition" summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN/TERRORISM/HOLBROOKE VISIT 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶1. "SHORTCOMINGS OF HOLBROOKE MISSION," op-ed article in 
April 12 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by strategic affairs 
specialist K. Subrahmanyam: "An Asia Society report on 
the Pakistan-Afghanistan region and U.S. Envoy Richard 
Holbrooke's mission is causing concern in India. There is 
fear that Holbrooke may pressure India to resume the 
unconditional peace process with Pakistan... Holbrooke 
should be asked why he is so sure that a resumption of 
the peace process will make the Pakistani army act 
against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda? The truth is that even 
if the talks resume, that is no guarantee that Pakistan 
will act against the Al Qaeda and Taliban. India should 
clearly refuse to accept any U.S. demand regarding 
Pakistan's security concerns. President Obama's recent 
statements clearly reflect U.S. concerns about Pakistan's 
ability to fight terror. If Pakistan is misusing aid, as 
some U.S. policymakers believe, then why give more 
money?" 
 
¶2. "PILE OF EXPLOSIVES" editorial in April 11 DAINIK 
HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud is 
giving Islamabad sleepless nights. In Swat, the Taliban 
has threatened to break the ceasefire if Zardari did not 
implement Islamic laws. Pakistan's insular, anti-west 
attitude is an impediment to modernization and 
development. The entire world, including the U.S., is 
telling Pakistan that its educated population and the 
radicals cannot co-exist, but it refuses to recognize the 
problem. During his recent visit, U.S. special envoy 
Richard Holbrooke failed to convince Islamabad that the 
ISI should break its relations with the Taliban and Al- 
Qaida." 
 
¶3. "PAKISTAN AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE," editorial in April 
11 AMAR UJALA Hindi daily: "Pakistani authorities start 
trembling, and the U.S., the UN and the diplomatic 
missions suspend their operations when Taliban's fiery 
Baitullah Mehsud issues his threats. It is a shame for 
Pakistan, as well as the U.S., that they have failed to 
catch Baitullah. He is a purely Pakistani product. The 
same terrorists who were created by Pakistan and the U.S. 
now pose a threat to them. At present, their topmost 
enemy is the U.S. and its allies. Being a US ally, 
Pakistan is also on their hit list.... Pakistan should 
either destroy these monsters, or let the international 
community do it." 
 
¶4. "AMERICA'S LOVE FOR PAKISTAN," editorial in April 10 
AMAR UJALA Hindi daily: "There were expectations of a 
positive change in the U.S. South Asia policy after 
Barack Obama became President. But now it is unclear what 
 
NEW DELHI 00000708  002 OF 002 
 
 
the U.S. wants. U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke's 
statements suggest he is genuinely interested in flushing 
out terrorism from the Pakistan-Afghanistan soil, but the 
very next moment an increased U.S. aid to Pakistan is 
announced. This is bizarre! America's courting Pakistan 
is truly unexplainable, given the Pakistani army and the 
ISI's known links with the Taliban. Even after FBI's 
confirmation of a Pakistani Army link in the Mumbai 
attacks, Pakistan has not destroyed anti-India terrorist 
camps on its soil. And now the U.S. asks India to resume 
peace talks with Pakistan! If the U.S. really wants to 
uproot terrorism from the Pakistan-Afghanistan area, it 
has to stop pampering Islamabad." 
 
¶5. "PAKISTAN IN THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS" editorial in the 
April 13, 2009, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily 
NAVSHAKTI. "Pakistan has never been as politically 
troubled as it is today.  The Taliban has taken over part 
of Pakistan and other extremists are equally active in 
the rest of the country. The Pakistan leadership is 
evidently incapable of handling these multiple crises. 
Amidst the ongoing confusion, President Asif Zardari has 
dared to support the extremist elements in Pakistan- 
occupied Kashmir. This move will not just destabilize 
India, but it will be counterproductive for Pakistan as 
well. Zardari is suicidal and vicious at the same time ..." 
 
¶6. "MISSION ISLAMABAD" editorial in the April 11, 2009 
multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT 
SAMACHAR.  "Pakistan is gradually slipping into the hands 
of the Taliban.  After terrorizing Lahore, the Taliban 
are now focused on taking over Islamabad.  Islamabad is 
trembling out of fear of these dreaded terrorists 
spreading mayhem.  Schools and colleges and even the U.S. 
embassy remain closed in Islamabad.  Taking over 
Islamabad would be just like taking over control of 
Pakistan...  What is surprising though is the fact that the 
ongoing scenario is being witnessed the world over by 
powerful political leaders but no one seems to be taking 
it seriously enough.  It will be a black day in 
Pakistan's history if the Taliban manage to take over 
Islamabad, as well as an embarrassment for the global 
community in the fight against terrorism." 
(A similar editorial appeared in the April 11, 2009 
multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR). 
 
¶7. "SPREAD OF TALIBAN AGGRESSION IN PAK A MATTER OF 
CONCERN FOR INDIA," editorial in April 13 left-of-center 
Assamese daily AJIR ASOM.  "The Taliban are unstoppable 
in Pakistan...and the deteriorating security situation has 
forced countries such as the U.S. to close down its 
Embassy... There is skepticism about the success of 
President Obama's initiative to fight terrorism by aiding 
Pakistan... India too is concerned about the rapid spread 
of Taliban aggression on its neighbor's soil... India 
should, therefore, adopt a well-planned strategy to 
ensure that another Mumbai-type incident does not occur." 
BURLEIGH