VZCZCXRO1889
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHNEH
DE RUEHNE #0855/01 1191233
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P 291233Z APR 09
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000855 
 
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: PAKISTAN, H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK 
(SWINE FLU), SRI LANKA UNREST; 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. 
 
-------- 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶1. "TALIBAN'S HOLD OVER PAKISTAN," op-ed article by 
columnist R.R. Palsokar in April 29 centrist Marathi 
daily SAKAAL: "The conflict in Pakistan has various 
facets. First, political clashes between Asif Zardari's 
Pakistan People's Party and Nawaz Sharif's Muslim League 
are pulling the administration from different sides, not 
to mention the complications added by former president 
Pervez Musharraf.  Second, there is a clear divide 
between the Pashtun people living in the Northwest 
frontier and those in Punjab and Sindh. The Punjabis and 
Sindhis cannot relate to the Taliban-controlled 
Northwest. Third, there is a perennial conflict between 
the Pakistani people and government. Pakistan is 
therefore a global worry, but even more for India." 
 
----------------------------- 
H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK (SWINE FLU) 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2. "NOW SWINE FLU" editorial in April 29 centrist Marathi 
daily LOKMAT: "The news of the swine flu outbreak in 
Mexico has spread fear all over the globe. In these days 
of economic recession, even superpowers like the U.S. do 
not want an additional worry. This scare is hitting the 
world economy at a bad time. It will heavily influence 
the timing of the end of this global recession. Most 
Asian markets have tumbled on the news... worries over the 
spread of swine flu are likely to affect airline and 
tourism-related stocks..." 
 
¶3. "HUMAN BEINGS' HELPLESSNESS IN FIGHTING SWINE FLU," 
editorial in April 29 centrist Gujarati biweekly business 
daily VYAPAR.  "There are times when nature settles 
scores with human beings.  This time it is through the 
outbreak of a flu that started from Mexico and has now 
reached epidemic levels, leaving 80 people dead thus 
far.  This is nature's way of reminding us humans not to 
exceed our limits and tamper with the laws of nature. 
What will our approach be on this?  During episodes of 
mad cow disease and bird flu, humans killed thousands of 
animals and birds that spread such diseases.  Although 
impractical, the logical question arises: will human 
beings now kill humans affected with this Swine flu 
[H1N1] to safeguard others?  It is also pathetic that a 
human civilization that has conquered the moon and Mars 
doesn't have medication to fight this type of flu!" 
 
¶4. "NEW HAZARD," editorial in April 29 independent 
Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "Surveillance 
of foreigners at points of entry, awareness campaigns, 
and speedy arrangements to tackle swine flu at different 
hospitals are the preliminary steps for controlling the 
 
NEW DELHI 00000855  002 OF 002 
 
 
virus. They must be taken immediately." 
 
¶5. "SWINE FLU: PRECAUTIONS NEEDED," editorial in April 
29, Bangalore-based left-of-center Kannada daily 
PRAJAVANI: "It is a great relief that the Union 
government has rightly stepped up surveillance measures 
at all airports and seaports to check the spread of swine 
flu. The union government should take all possible steps 
to put precautionary measures in place to monitor the 
situation." 
 
---------------- 
SRI LANKA UNREST 
---------------- 
 
¶6. "THE VEXED SRI LANKA KNOT," editorial in April 28 
nationalist Hindi daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "If the Sri 
Lankan government declares a formal ceasefire, it will be 
a major success for India. At the same time, India does 
not deserve all credit since the U.N., European nations 
and the United States issued appeals to the Sri Lankan 
government to cease the violence. This present let-up in 
fighting is, therefore, just a tactical retreat dictated 
by an international furore over civilian killings. The 
Lanka government's decision came in response to 
tremendous international pressure to halt hostilities, 
and the LTTE announcement of a ceasefire. Colombo is 
totally consumed with catching LTTE supremo Prabhakaran. 
Although there may be a temporary truce, the Lanka 
government will not give up the fight at this crucial and 
decisive stage." 
 
¶7. "RAJAPAKSE'S COMPASSION," editorial in the April 29 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"President Rajapakse's assurance will not provide any ray 
of hope for the families of thousands of innocent Tamils. 
Prabhakaran's warriors are virtually trapped... they are 
counting their final moments... those who will survive in 
refugee camps at the mercy of the Sri Lankan forces also 
cannot expect to have any honorable equal citizenship." 
BURLEIGH