VZCZCXRO7194
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHNEH
DE RUEHNE #0809/01 1131229
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P 231229Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000809 
 
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: THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS, PAKISTAN, 
US FIRST LADY AT G-20 SUMMIT; NEW DELHI. 
 
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. 
 
--------------------- 
THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS 
--------------------- 
 
¶1. "CRISIS STILL CONTINUES" editorial in April 23 Kolkata 
Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.  "The Manmohan 
Singh government is silent about the sufferings of the 
Tamils in Sri Lanka. While it considers the LTTE 
terrorists, it doesn't like to meddle in the internal 
affairs of its next-door neighbor.  The war will end 
eventually, but the issue of self-rule for Sri Lankan 
Tamils will remain unresolved. But since New Delhi has 
washed its hands of the situation, nationalist forces in 
Sri Lanka will feel no pressure to extend justice to the 
Tamils." 
 
¶2. "LET DELHI BE VOCAL," editorial in April 23 pro-Left 
Kolkata Bengali SAMBAD PRATIDIN.  "India right now is 
concerned about the Tamil-speaking people whose life is 
threatened by the war, but it is not possible for India 
to do anything for diplomatic and other reasons. It is 
also not possible to support Pravakaran; this needs to be 
understood because India, facing the worst form of 
terrorism, is now engaged in a diplomatic war with its 
western neighbor. At the national level, the biggest 
concern is controlling Tamil emotions. Caution must 
exercised in the event of any incident that could lead to 
an emotional upsurge.  It is hoped that the Indian 
government will take suitable measures to prevent this." 
 
-------- 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶3. "THEIR DEMOCRACY," editorial in April 22 nationalist 
RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Extremist forces want to 
completely "Islamize' Pakistan.  They are buoyed by the 
Pakistan government's capitulation to the Taliban in 
Swat. Red Mosque leader Maulana Abdul Aziz called for an 
Islamic takeover of Pakistan; now the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e- 
Sharia Muhammadi chief Sufi Muhammad of Swat has done the 
same. He even declared democracy and courts un-Islamic. 
There are demands for the imposition of Islamic rule 
across the Malakand division. After Swat, now it is 
Malakand's turn, and then perhaps all of Pakistan.  The 
Pakistan government's helplessness is extremely 
worrisome, but there is still time for the Pakistani 
politicians to sit up and do something." 
 
¶4. "OUR JOINT WAR AGAINST TERRORISM," op-ed in April 22 
centrist DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "The Taliban threat 
in Pakistan is steadily rising. Pakistan is today in 
danger of being devoured by the monster it created to 
meet U.S. needs. Pakistan is completely dependent on the 
U.S., as its own economy has collapsed. Its army wants 
close relations with the U.S. in order to maintain its 
 
NEW DELHI 00000809  002 OF 003 
 
 
upper hand in the society. The army's role cannot be 
reduced unless the elected government is strengthened... 
the people and the politicians of Pakistan actually 
believe that jihadi terrorism is no less dangerous for 
Pakistan than it is for India. They feel Pakistan needs 
India's help to deal with terrorist organizations. A 
strong central democratic government in Pakistan is good 
for India's security too. India should face this danger 
jointly with Pakistan." 
 
¶5. "WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PAKISTAN," editorial in the 
April 22 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New 
Delhi: "Pakistan is an independent and self-governing 
country. We, the Indians do not poke our nose in its 
internal matters, nor have we any right to do so. But the 
scenario changes altogether when they talk of Shariah 
(Islamic Laws). India is affected when Pakistan burns in 
the fires of terrorism, but those acts of terrorism and 
extremism provide America with opportunities to intervene 
in the internal affairs of Pakistan. A strong, 
consolidated and democratic Pakistan is always in the 
best interest of India. On the other hand, the strategic 
significance of Pakistan is well-accepted. Zardari has 
been proved to be a failed and dumbfounded President of 
Pakistan. When he will wake up is hard to say. The 
current drama of agreements with the Taliban could 
destroy the country, and the United States of America is 
awaiting such an opportunity." 
 
¶6. "PAKISTAN AND TALIBAN: OUR MEDIA," editorial in the 
April 22 right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF, Hyderabad: 
"Pakistan is reeling these days, and there is no doubt it 
is the target of a war initiated by former US president 
Bush against Islam in the name of a war on terrorism. It 
has long been clear that after Afghanistan and Iraq, 
America's next target will be Pakistan. That's why 
America is bombarding the tribal areas of Pakistan, and 
has already started a campaign to malign Islam and its 
followers by branding them as 'Taliban' or 'Al-Qaeda'. 
America and its allies are determined to make the 
situation in Pakistan explosive. Only God knows how many 
people in the Pakistan government are part of this 
contemptible mission." 
 
---------------------------- 
US FIRST LADY AT G-20 SUMMIT 
---------------------------- 
 
¶7. "MICHELLE OBAMA AND QUEEN ELIZABETH'S EMBRACE: US 
FIRST LADY EXTENDS HERSELF WELL" op-ed article by 
columnist Amarendra Dhaneshwar in the April 23 left-of- 
center Marathi daily MAHANAGAR.  "Some may not have taken 
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth's 
embrace in the right spirit. Royal etiquette dictates 
that the Queen not be touched unless she reaches out 
first. And the U.S. First Lady not only touched her but 
patted the Queen on her back. Whatever the demands of 
protocol may be, the U.S. First lady did the right thing 
at the right moment, and without undue extravagance. 
Michelle Obama's gesture speaks of a certain openness. As 
some columnists have already pointed out, she has 
 
NEW DELHI 00000809  003 OF 003 
 
 
destroyed all manner of cultural untouchabilities and 
ideological belief systems that create divides between 
equal people of this world..." 
BURLEIGH