VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #1115/01 1421053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221053Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2864
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9454
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 5273
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 0408
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 7357
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1342
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001115 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 22, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports on the international pledge of "$224 million for 
relief and rehabilitation of IDPs" dominated headlines in almost all 
newspapers on Friday.  All dailies highlighted report that the "U.S. 
House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved a bipartisan legislation 
tripling American economic assistance to Pakistan."   Reports and 
photographs of Ambassador Patterson's Lahore visit received 
prominent display.  Her meetings with Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief 
Minister Shahbaz Sharif, members of the American Business Forum, and 
visit to the Lahore Fort and the shrine of a 'Sufi' (mystic) saint 
Madhu Lal were also highlighted.  Pakistan Foreign Office 
spokesman's remarks that "minimum nuclear deterrence would be 
maintained" received extensive media coverage.  Newspapers also 
reported that President Obama "vowed not to back down on closing 
Guantanamo Bay." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on a variety of subjects including 
the fallout of Swat military operation, plight of the internally 
displaced persons, and the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.  The 
second-largest, center-right nationalist daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," 
observed that as "Secretary Clinton has realized that Pakistan's 
present problems are a result of U.S. policies of the 80s, the U.S. 
should admit its mistakes and instead of continuing this policy and 
creating problems for our security and existence, it should adopt a 
serious and workable policy to get us out of this quagmire." 
Another Urdu daily, "Express," wrote: "If the U.S. is sincere in its 
war on terror and if it wants Pakistan to succeed in the operation 
in the north-western areas, it needs to stop the sale of weapons by 
Afghan troops to the Taliban."  Commenting on the Secretary 
Clinton's remarks, the Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times," 
noted that the "U.S.-Pakistan relationship has endured because both 
have needed each other.  There is hardly any incoherence in that." 
End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Donors Pledge $224 Million For IDPs" "The News" (05/22) 
 
"Pakistan on Thursday received pledges of $224 million for relief 
and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IPDs) during 
a donors' meeting.  However, the United Nations is to flash on 
Friday an appeal to the world, seeking about $500-600 million, said 
Minister of State for Economic Affairs Division Hina Rabbani Khar in 
a press briefing." 
 
"Maximum Support Assured By Donors" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"The international community assured Pakistan on Thursday of maximum 
financial and material support for the relief and rehabilitation of 
the internally displaced persons, but held back formal announcement 
till a flash appeal to be launched by the United Nations on Friday." 
 
 
"U.S. House Panel Approves Bill To Triple Aid, But With Strings" 
"Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved a 
bipartisan legislation tripling American economic assistance to 
Pakistan.  The new legislation, once approved by both chambers of 
the U.S. Congress, will bring $1.5 billion of annual aid to Pakistan 
for a period of five years, which can be extended with congressional 
approval.  'The legislation requires rigorous oversight and 
auditing,' says a press release issued by the panel." 
 
"The U.S. Benchmarks, Audits And Controls On Kerry-Lugar Aid Bill" 
"The News" (05/22) 
 
"The Pakistan-specific Kerry-Lugar Bill, moved in the US Senate two 
weeks back, authorizes President Barack Obama to keep 'classified,' 
if necessary, U.S. persons or entities that have received funds in 
excess of $250,000 to avoid a security risk and provide a 
justification for such classification.  A clear overview emerging 
from the reading of the proposed legislation showed that its movers, 
Senators John F. Kerry (Democrat), Chairman of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee, and Richard Lugar (Republican), a senior member 
on the panel, realized that Pakistan needed monetary assistance and, 
therefore, was vulnerable.  Washington will give this assistance but 
monitor it very tightly so that its policy objectives are achieved." 
 
"U.S. Must Help Pakistan With Economic Aid, Says Kerry" "The News" 
(05/22) 
 
"Senator John Kerry underscored the need for continued U.S. support 
to help Pakistan take care of the people displaced from Swat 
military offensive launched to eliminate Taliban from Malakand 
region.  Chairing on Thursday the Foreign Relations Committee that 
received testimony from Admiral Mike Mullen, the top U.S. military 
officer on U.S. policy toward Pakistan, Kerry recalled the goodwill 
engendered by the U.S. relief efforts in the post-2005 earthquake 
and called on building the current aid effort." 
 
"Mullen Against Move To Link Aid With 'Rigid' Conditions" "Dawn" 
(05/22) 
 
"A senior U.S. Senator, Jim Webb, has moved an amendment to a bill 
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requiring Pakistan 
not to use American aid for the expansion of its nuclear program. 
During a hearing of the Committee on Thursday, Admiral Mike Mullen, 
Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said his biggest concern 
was that 'conditioning all the money' meant for Pakistan could be 
counter-productive." 
 
"U.S. House Panel Rejects India Tag To Pak Aid" "The Nation" 
(05/22) 
 
"A U.S. congressional Committee on Wednesday approved a giant aid 
package for Pakistan while dropping all conditions that referred to 
India." 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Visits Alamgiri Gate To Mark Completion Of 
Conservation" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson stressed the need to 'protect 
shared cultural heritage' on a visit to Lahore Fort's Alamgiri Gate, 
marking the completion of another U.S.- funded conservation 
project." 
 
"U.S.-EU Ambassadors Call On Nawaz-Shahbaz Sharif; U.S. Should Stop 
Drone Strikes And Fulfill Promise Of Resolving Kashmir Issue: Nawaz 
Sharif" "Nawa-i-Waqt" (05/22) 
 
"U.S. and EU Ambassadors yesterday held separate meetings with PML-N 
leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif....  Mian Nawaz 
Sharif said during the meeting that the U.S. should stop drone 
strikes and should fulfill the promise President Obama made after 
election on resolving the Kashmir issue....  American Ambassador 
said that the U.S. understands the problems faced by Pakistan and 
would cooperate fully in the rehabilitation of refugees." 
 
"Pak Economy Has Potential For Investment, Anne" "The Nation" 
(05/22) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson has said that despite 
economic and security challenges, Pakistan's economy is growing with 
great potential for foreign investment. Pakistan's economy 
stabilized after it signed agreement with the International Monetary 
Fund (IMF), Patterson said while addressing the inauguration 
ceremony of American Business Forum (ABF) in Lahore on Thursday." 
 
"Minimum N-Deterrence Will Be Maintained: FO" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"Pakistan 'indirectly' confirmed on Thursday that it was in the 
process of expanding its nuclear program and said it was being done 
to maintain credible nuclear deterrence in view of the changing 
security environment in the region.  'Pakistan cannot remain 
oblivious to increasing conventional asymmetries, unrelenting arms 
acquisitions as well as preferential treatment being accorded to 
certain countries in the region,' Foreign Office spokesman Abdul 
Basit said at his weekly media briefing." 
 
Obama Vows To Close Gitmo" "The News" (05/22) 
 
"President Barack Obama on Thursday vowed not to back down on 
closing Guantanamo Bay despite raging controversy, branding the camp 
a 'mess' and decrying Bush-era anti-terror tactics as based on 
fear." 
 
"IDPs Crisis Can Lead To Greater Unrest in Pakistan" "The Nation" 
(05/22) 
 
"Five U.S. Senators have urged their President an immediate response 
to the crisis in the NWFP and to provide assistance to the 
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs in Pakistan in order to ensure 
that it does not lead to greater unrest throughout the rest of the 
country." 
 
"Pakistan Not So Imperiled: Mullen" "The News" (05/22) 
 
"The top U.S. military officer said on Thursday he was concerned 
that the U.S. troop build up to roust insurgents from Afghanistan 
could further destabilize Pakistan.  However, Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, speaking to the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee, said the military planning was under way to try 
to avoid that." 
 
"Kayani Visits Daggar, Bucks Troops Up" "The News" (05/22) 
 
"Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday 
visited Daggar in the neighboring Buner district to see the ground 
situation and appreciated the morale exhibited by the troops in 
fight against militancy." 
 
"No Need For U.S. Troops' Help: Kaira" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira 
rejected on Thursday reports about possibility of U.S. troops 
arriving in the country to support the government action in dealing 
with insurgency and rehabilitation of displaced persons.  He said at 
a press conference that neither anyone had approached the government 
nor there was any need for such a move because the country's armed 
forces were fully capable of handling internal matters." 
 
"Commander Surrenders In Mohmand; Taliban Agree To Leave Parts Of 
Lower Dir" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"Taliban in Adenzai tehsil of Lower Dir district agreed on Thursday 
to wind up their camps and pull out of Asbanr and Gulabad areas 
within two days.  According to sources, the assurance was given to a 
Jirga at a joint gathering of local people and Taliban.  A local 
Taliban 'commander' gave himself up to authorities in Mohmand Agency 
on Thursday with five other militants." 
 
"Captain Killed In Bomb Attack" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"An army captain and a Lance Naik were killed and five other 
security men injured when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb 
near the Islam Darra security check-post on the Timergara-Maidan 
road on Thursday." 
 
"Army Move To Block Supply Of Arms To Mingora Militants" "The News" 
(05/22) 
 
"Security forces took control on Thursday of a major portion of the 
strategic Kamber bridge overlooking Mingora, military spokesman Maj. 
Gen. Athar Abbas said.  According to defence sources, terrorists had 
built concrete bunkers and stored arms, ammunition and explosives in 
caves in the area.  An intense operation was under way to stop the 
supply of weapons to militants in the town." 
 
"Taliban Leader Killed In Swat Operation" "Daily Times" (05/22) 
 
"Security forces said on Thursday that 'a number of Taliban' - 
including an important commander, Abu Tariq, and five soldiers were 
killed in 24 hours in the Swat operation, in the latest update on 
the military offensive, seven Taliban were apprehended, said the 
ISPR." 
 
"Taliban Ousted By Kalam People" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"Armed residents foiled an attempt by the Taliban to expand their 
reach in more areas of Swat Valley, officials said on Thursday. The 
attempted infiltration in Kalam indicated militants are feeling 
pinched by an army offensive and are seeking new shelter, while the 
local resistance suggested growing public confidence in the 
anti-Taliban operation." 
 
"19 Killed In Dir Lower" "The News" (05/22) 
"Nineteen people, including 11 suspected militants and three 
security forces personnel, were killed in the ongoing military 
operation and a roadside blast in the Maidan area of Dir Lower on 
Thursday." 
 
"Nine Killed In Tank Suicide Blast" "Daily Times" (05/22) 
 
"At least nine people - four civilians and five security personnel - 
were killed and 25 injured in a suicide attack near an FC fort in 
Jandola area of Tank on Thursday evening, a private TV channel 
reported." 
 
"Thousands Flee As Waziristan Tense" "Daily Times" (05/22) 
 
"Residents of South Waziristan are fleeing the agency amid a build 
up of forces by the army and the Taliban. 'Mehsuds are leaving their 
areas in Sarwakai and Ladah tehsils for fears of an operation,' 
local sources told 'Daily Times.'" 
 
"Two 'Al Qaeda Men' Held, Explosives Seized" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"The CID police in Karachi arrested on Thursday two suspected 
militants of Al Qaeda and seized from them explosives and weapons." 
 
"Pakistan, India In 'Rare Anti-Terror Cooperation'" "Dawn" (05/22) 
 
"As the Pakistan army battles extremists inside the country, 
Pakistan and India have begun sharing intelligence on militants, 
with the prodding of the United States, the Wall Street Journal 
disclosed on Thursday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Pakistan's Problems And The U.S. Secretary Of State's Admission: 
Stop Supporting Military Dictators Now, " an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (05/22) 
 
"Now that Hillary Clinton has realized that Pakistan's present 
problems are a result of U.S. policies of the 80s, the U.S. should 
admit its mistakes and instead of continuing this policy and 
creating problems for our security and existence, it should adopt a 
serious and workable policy to get us out of this quagmire.  For 
this, it needs to stop the drone attacks immediately, stop 
conspiracies against our nuclear program and give up its practice of 
dictating our elected democratic civilian rulers like it has been 
dictating our military dictators." 
 
"How 'Incoherent' Is Pak-U.S. Relationship?," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (05/22) 
 
"The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has endured because both have needed 
each other.  There is hardly any incoherence in that.  There have 
been vicissitudes in it because one has global worries to take care 
of, and the other is regionally obsessed with India.  Without 
reference to the U.S., it is for Pakistan to meditate over its 
single-item foreign policy: can it go on risking its survival by 
following an uncreative and imitative approach to its big neighbor, 
India." 
 
"Aid Package For Swat Affectees," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/22) 
 
"Drone attacks are fanning anti-U.S. sentiment in the Pakistani 
public. Moreover, Afghanistan is constantly aiding the Taliban and 
it seems as if they [the Taliban] are continuously getting supplies. 
 The proof of this is the New York Times report which reveals that 
weapons provided to the Afghan Army are being sold to the 
Taliban....  If the U.S. is sincere in its war on terror and if it 
wants Pakistan to succeed in the operation in the north-western 
areas, it needs to curb corruption in the Karzai government and stop 
the sale of weapons by Afghan troops to the Taliban." 
 
"Worrisome," an editorial in the center-right national English daily 
"The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/22) 
 
"The 'New York Times' has revealed that the arms and ammunition 
seized from the militants had been supplied by the Afghan army.... 
It would be legitimate to suspect that militants inside Pakistan 
were also getting their supplies from them. Some of the militant 
outfits in Pakistan have been found using state-of-the-art military 
equipment smuggled from Afghanistan....  Obviously, this cannot 
happen without the necessary wherewithal and supply of arms.  There 
is a strong suspicion, and in some well-informed circles strong 
conviction, both India and Afghanistan have a hand in it.  It is a 
common enemy that the U.S., Afghanistan and Pakistan are fighting. 
But if the U.S. weapons continue to fall into the hands of militants 
who are also aided by New Delhi and Kabul, the hope for victory 
virtually recedes into oblivion." 
 
"NYT Spills The Beans," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist 
English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (05/22) 
 
"The NYT report clearly shows that instead of demanding Pakistan to 
do more, the United States needs to do more to stop infiltration of 
militants and smuggling of weapons from Afghanistan to Pakistan. 
The issue is quite clear but regrettably Pakistani leadership has 
adopted a sheepish approach and has so far failed to take up the 
matter seriously with Washington or other capitals.  It is time that 
Pakistan tells its 'friends' to stop double games and show sincerity 
in eliminating the threat of terrorism." 
 
"Supply Line Of Weapons And Money To Taliban," an editorial in 
Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi daily "Ibrat" (Cir. 
80,000) (05/22) 
 
"Besides fighting with Taliban we need to find out routes and 
sources of funding and weapons to Taliban. In case of Afghanistan, 
American papers are now reporting that American weapons may have 
been given to Taliban by Afghan officials. One should not forget the 
fact that some sections of the Pakistan Army have been reportedly 
working with Taliban.  Likewise, Musharraf's whole era was an 
exponent of double game with the extremists and the U.S. It is vital 
to sever the supply-line of Taliban and other extremist elements." 
 
"Friends Of Dictatorship: American Role," an editorial in Hyderabad 
based independent and liberal Sindhi Daily "Kawish" (cir 105,000) 
(05/22) 
 
"Pakistanis know very well that the U.S. has always sided with 
Pakistani military dictators and when Ms. Clinton stated that, it 
was not really a big revelation for us. What is new is the admission 
on part of America's top-most diplomat that they committed mistake 
by supporting dictators and they were responsible for creating mess 
in Pakistan.  Thankfully, Americans have learned their lesson in 
Pakistan and realized their mistakes albeit after three decades." 
 
"State Of The Operation," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/22) 
 
"It is clear people remain terrorized by the Taliban and anxious 
about a situation in which they may, some months down the road, 
return to a position of power....   So often have people seen a 
half-hearted action against the Taliban, so many 'stops and starts' 
have they witnessed, that they still lack faith that this time, the 
operation is in earnest....  Lifting the sense of fear these men 
cause will act to weaken (Taliban), to loosen their grip and to 
demoralize their forces....  This spirit must be built on and taken 
further.  Eventually it will play a big part in the defeat of the 
Taliban and in the reclaiming mental space from them." 
 
"Pakistan's First (Or Rather Second) True War," an op-ed by Ayaz 
Amir in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(05/22) 
 
"Mullah Omar and the Americans can fight it out among themselves. 
That quarrel is none of our business and we should be no part of it. 
But the Taliban in Pakistan are very much our problem because their 
ideas and the idea of Pakistan just cannot co-exist.  So while the 
Americans are fighting their Taliban for their reasons, we have our 
own compelling reasons to fight our home-grown Taliban....  Of 
course it depends on us how we make use, or how we exploit, this 
convergence of interests between us and the Americans....  How long 
will this war last?  We should be under no illusions on this score. 
It will last as long as the Americans stay in Afghanistan....  So we 
should prepare for the long haul as these dark clouds which encircle 
us are not going to go away in a hurry." 
 
"Taliban - Asset Or Enemy?," an op-ed by Saleem Safi in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/22) 
 
"The fact is that the problem of militancy will not be solved with 
the success of the Swat operation because what is happening in Swat 
and Dir is a part of a game being played in the region. And peace 
will not be achieved unless militancy is eliminated from the whole 
region.  However, confusion surrounding the operation must be 
cleared because at the moment it is benefiting the militants.... 
Thus the Pakistani establishment is confused whether to treat the 
militants as enemies or assets.  When these militants target the 
Marriot in Islamabad, they are the number one enemies of security 
forces but when they attack the Indian embassy in Kabul then they 
act like an asset." 
 
"Now South Waziristan IDPs," an editorial in the Islamabad-based 
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (05/22) 
 
"The United States, western countries and some quarters within are 
persuading the Government to launch a simultaneous operation in 
Waziristan....  There could be many more arguments on merits and 
demerits to the launching of operation in Waziristan but the civil 
and military leadership must see that dragging feet by extending the 
operation may not backfire....  Therefore, we would strongly 
recommend the Government not to take hasty decisions as there is no 
serious uprising in Waziristan, and to concentrate on cleansing Swat 
from miscreants and rehabilitation of the IDPs before moving to 
FATA." 
 
"Growing Threats," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban 
Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (05/22) 
 
"It seems that the U.S. media continues its customary anti-Pakistan 
propaganda drive, and it is also affecting the U.S. senior officials 
too.  Perhaps that is the reason that the U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen 
had maintained last week that Pakistan was adding to its nukes. Such 
reports also confirmed that the U.S. is coveting for Pakistani 
nuclear program.  We cannot rule out possibility of U.S hand behind 
insurgency in Swat, Malakand and other adjoining areas." 
 
"U.S. Obsession To Reach To Pakistan Nukes And Taliban's Attitude," 
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" 
(cir. 10,000) (05/22) 
 
"U.S. administration seeks to enter into Pakistan somehow to besiege 
Pakistan nuclear facilities.  That is why it is exerting pressure on 
the government of Pakistan under the pretext that Pakistani nukes 
may fall to Taliban.  This conjecture is totally baseless and 
nonsense that Taliban can ever break down the Pak military shield, 
and enter into Pakistani nuclear facilities." 
Patterson