VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0971/01 1260929
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 060929Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2602
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9346
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 5192
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 0259
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 7277
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1264
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000971 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 06, 2009 
 
Summary:  U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke's statement quashing all 
speculations of a "military takeover" in Pakistan saying that "it 
would be terrible if it happened and Washington would oppose it 
strongly" dominated headlines in all newspapers on Wednesday. 
Newspapers highlighted report that "hundreds of people fled Mingora 
after the military urged residents to seek safety as fresh fighting 
with Taliban militants could erupt."  President Zardari's assurance 
to the U.S. administration that "Pakistan's nuclear assets are not 
in any danger of falling in the hands of the insurgents" received 
prominent display.  Some major dailies ran the White House statement 
reiterating that "there would be no 'blank checks' for Pakistan." 
Report of a "suicide attack near Peshawar killing at least seven 
people including two children" received front page coverage. 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the new National Judicial 
Policy announced the other day.  However, several editorial writers 
and columnists discussed the overall security situation of the 
country, and President Zardari's visit to the United States. 
Commenting on the Kerry-Lugar bill, the prestigious daily, "Dawn," 
observed that "if the U.S. aid is delivered quickly and spent 
effectively, meaningful change on the ground can be achieved."  The 
second-largest Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" opined that the "constant 
propaganda by President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates 
and Admiral Mullen that India is not a threat to Pakistan could be 
part of a big international conspiracy."  The Peshawar-based Urdu 
daily, "Mashriq," noted that "it is a matter of satisfaction that 
the government has finally decided to launch a full-fledged military 
operation in Swat to flush out Taliban from the valley."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"U.S. Not To Support Military Coup, Says Holbrooke" "Dawn" (05/06) 
 
"The United States on Tuesday quashed all speculations of a military 
take-over in Pakistan, saying that it would be terrible if it 
happened and Washington would oppose it strongly.  U.S. special 
envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke touched on a 
number of sensitive issues in his testimony before the house Foreign 
Affairs Committee.  He opposed linking U.S. aid to allowing access 
to Dr. A.Q. Khan and indicated that the U.S. might be working on a 
program with Pakistan to block FM Radio broadcasts by pro-Taliban 
clerics." 
 
"Pakistan Not A Failed State" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"Stressing that the United States has the 'highest strategic 
interests' in supporting the democratic government of Pakistan, 
Richard Holbrooke voiced President Barack Obama's strong backing for 
the civilian government led by President Asif Ali Zardari. 
Testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Holbrooke 
told lawmakers that we should not confuse this (support) with 
prediction of collapse (of the Pakistani state).  'Pakistan is not a 
failed state,' he said, adding Pakistan is facing challenges but is 
not in a situation where it could collapse." 
 
"Exodus From Swat As Operation Looms" "Dawn" (05/06) 
 
"Hundreds of people fled Swat's main town of Mingora on Tuesday 
after the military urged residents to seek safety as fresh fighting 
with Taliban militants could erupt." 
 
"Nuclear Assets Safe, Zardari Assures U.S." "Dawn" (05/06) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has assured the Obama administration 
that his government is determined to root out insurgency in the 
frontier region and that country's nuclear assets are not in any 
danger of falling in the hands of the insurgents.  The assurance was 
conveyed in a preliminary meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for 
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke on Monday night before 
the Wednesday summit at the White House." 
 
"Haqqani Tells U.S. Not To Spread Pakistan Nuclear Scare" "The News" 
(05/06) 
 
"Pakistan on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of its nuclear assets 
falling into the wrong hands, with its top diplomat in Washington 
asking American experts to desist from scaring people with highly 
unlikely hypothetical scenarios, Ambassador Husain Haqqani told 
CNN." 
 
"Security Of Pakistan's Nukes Still Cause Of Concern" "Dawn" 
(05/06) 
 
"The security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is still cause of 
concern for Washington despite reassurances that the weapons are out 
of reach of Taliban militants, the U.S. National Security Advisor 
General James Jones said in an interview with the BBC." 
 
"No Blank Checks For Pakistan: White House" "Dawn" (05/06) 
 
"The White House vowed Tuesday there would be no 'blank checks' for 
Pakistan after two top U.S. senators unveiled plans to expand and 
overhaul civilian aid to the key U.S. ally.  'The President has said 
on numerous occasions there shouldn't be and there won't be blank 
checks.'  'The President supports the building in of accountability 
measures to ensure that we are making progress and if progress isn't 
made then we'll readjust our strategy,' White House spokesman Robert 
Gibbs said." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill A Positive Beginning: FO" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and senior officials of the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed a guarded optimism over the 
Kerry-Lugar bill, which triples the United States' civilian aid to 
Pakistan to $1.5 billion per annum for the next five years, saying 
that they were looking at it 'positively,' the Foreign Office 
spokesman told 'The News.'" 
 
"U.S. Body Agrees To Lift Pro-India Condition On Pak Aid" "The News" 
(05/06) 
 
"Pakistan has ultimately prevailed upon the U.S. House International 
Committee on Foreign Relations to relax its India-specific 
conditions proposed in the bill for the provision of $1.5 billion 
annually for five years.  An understanding in this regard reached in 
Washington on Tuesday at the Capitol Hill during the meeting of the 
committee with Visiting President Asif Ali Zardari who had a lengthy 
discussion with the committee members." 
 
"Obama Ally Doubts U.S. Aid Will Make An Impact" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"A top U.S. lawmaker said on Tuesday that Pakistan must 'show 
seriousness of purpose' against extremists and Afghanistan must do 
more against corruption ahead of tough three-way talks in 
Washington.  'I think there's a continuing concern as to whether or 
not we can be successful in these two countries,' Democratic House 
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters in Washington." 
 
"U.S. Officials Discuss Peace, Security Issues With Malik" "The 
News" (05/06) 
 
"Issues relating to peace and development in South Asia were 
discussed in Washington on Tuesday between senior American officials 
and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.  Those meeting the Minister 
included U.S. Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan 
Richard Holbrooke, Eric J. Roswell, Assistant Secretary Bureau of 
Diplomatic Security, State Department and David Johson, Assistant 
Secretary Bureau of Intelligence, Narcotics and Law Enforcement." 
 
"Suicide Bomber Kills 7 Near Peshawar" "Dawn" (05/06) 
 
"Seven people, two children and a Frontier Corps soldier among them, 
were killed and 48 others injured when an explosives-laden car 
rammed into a pick-up near a check-post on the Bara road on Tuesday 
morning, eyewitnesses told 'Dawn.'" 
 
"Militants Take Over Executive Offices In Swat; 18 Killed In Fierce 
Fighting As Thousands Flee; Muslim Khan Claims 90 Per Cent Control 
Over Valley" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"Militants on Tuesday attacked the DIG office, Commissioner Office, 
police station and museum in Saidu Sharif and finally captured the 
DIG office as the fighting between security forces and militants 
raged in the Swat valley, which left 18 dead and 20 others 
injured....  While talking to reporters, Taliban spokesman Muslim 
Khan claimed militants were in control of '90 per cent' of the 
valley and said their actions were in response to 'Army violations 
of the peace deal.'" 
 
"Swat To Be Evacuated Ahead Of Operation" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"A military operation is in the offing in Swat where the whole 
population in targeted areas would be evacuated and shifted to camps 
before decisive storming by the Army.  However, despite the military 
operation, the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, 2009 would remain enforced, a 
key Frontier government source said." 
 
"Sufi, Fazlullah Have No Control Over Taliban" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"Taliban are becoming a greater threat in Swat and other troubled 
areas, as they have regrouped after implementation of Nizam-e-Adl 
Regulation, an official report says.  The report, which was 
submitted to the government by the security agencies, revealed that 
Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi Chief Sufi Mohammad and Maulana 
Fazlullah have no control over Taliban." 
 
"2,260 Displaced Families Reach Swabi" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"The officials of the district administration said on Tuesday that 
2,260 displaced families had so far arrived in Swabi from Buner 
district and got them registered with the administration." 
 
"TTP Warns NWFP Doctors Over Dress" "The News" (05/06) 
 
"The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has allegedly warned 
doctors of the public sector hospitals in Peshawar to stop wearing 
shirts and trousers or face suicide bombing, a senior doctor of the 
Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) - told 'The News' on condition of 
anonymity." 
 
"19 Killed In Mohmand Clashes; Six Troops Missing" "Dawn" (05/06) 
 
"Fifteen militants, two security personnel and two civilians were 
killed in clashes between troops and Taliban in Mohmand tribal 
region on Tuesday." 
 
"Tortured, Stripped, And Video Taped - This Is Dr. Aafia's Story!" 
"The News" (05/06) 
 
"Inside a New York jail, six masked men tied her hands behind her 
back, stripped her naked, and made a video recording of her 
humiliation.  While being taken back to her cell in a wheelchair, a 
woman covered her with a blanket and begged the masked men not to 
humiliate Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.  'In response to a question about the 
nature of security checks, Dr. Aafia said many a times she was 
stripped in the name of a 'security check' in the New York Jail and 
due to that humiliation she even stopped seeing her lawyer.  She 
despised being stripped for security checks.'" 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"A Fresh Start," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"As the country potentially moves closer to a necessary but messy 
fight against the militants, it is clear that focusing on one 
geographical area or the military option alone will not be enough to 
defeat a rising militancy.  A large part of any successful long-term 
strategy against militancy will involve improving the state's 
ability to govern and deliver basic public services to its 
people....  So if the U.S. aid is delivered quickly and spent 
effectively, meaningful change on the ground can be achieved." 
 
"Indian Military Exercises And Destructive Ambitions," an editorial 
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (05/06) 
 
"It is unfortunate that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat from 
Talibanization and even Pakistani officials nod when such things are 
said but no one is raising their voice against India's water 
aggressi.  The Indian military exercises and water terrorism have 
also exposed U.S. assurances that Pakistan faces no threat from 
India.  The constant propaganda by Obama, Hillary Clinton, Robert 
Gates and Mike Mullen that India is not a threat to Pakistan could 
be part of a big international conspiracy also." 
E 
 
"Government Left With No Option Except Military Operation," an 
editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 
55,000) (05/06) 
 
"It is a matter of satisfaction that the government has finally 
decided to launch a full-fledged military operation in Swat to flush 
out Taliban from the valley.  However it is equally important to 
urge the residents of Swat valley to vacate the area to avoid any 
civilian casualties during the operation.  Moreover, the government 
should take immediate steps to accommodate the IDPs and provide them 
with basic amenities of life in those makeshift camps." 
 
"Tripled Expectations," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar bill, under which U.S. military and non-military 
aid to Pakistan would triple to $1.5 billion a year, has been tabled 
in the U.S. Senate ... stressing that Pakistan must tackle militancy 
and ensure no help is offered to terrorist groups from its soil.... 
The fact is that we can gain access to more assistance from the 
world only if we can persuade it of our will to go after 
terrorists....  Assistance is not offered because there is a lack of 
confidence in capability and commitment.  This impression must then 
be changed so that Pakistan can benefit from the new legislation and 
other bills like it - now and also in the future." 
 
"How Long U.S. Would Continue To Fool Us?" an editorial in the 
Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 
33,000) (05/06) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar bill aims to establish long-term relation between 
Pakistan and the U.S. In fact, Senator Kerry and Senator Lugar are 
deceiving people of Pakistan by talking of building relations with 
us. How can they assume that people of Pakistan would have 
friendship with a country who continues to strike our land with 
drone predators? Pakistan should demonstrate courage to reject the 
so-called sympathies of America and tell them that Pakistanis hate 
them, and our ways are parted from now on. After all how long the 
U.S. would continue to befool us?" 
 
"All-Out War," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"The military can wrest back final control of areas currently under 
the Taliban only if it is not impeded and held back as has happened 
in the past.  People are desperate to be rescued from the militants. 
 The military must live up to their expectations....  They must 
fight off the Taliban and demonstrate that Pakistan is a strong, 
viable state.  But at the same time they must also protect people 
and, by doing so, build a bigger coalition that can shake off the 
evil hold of the Taliban." 
 
"Who Is Responsible For The Worsening Situation In Swat And 
Adjoining Areas?," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" 
(cir. 25,000) (05/06) 
 
"The real intentions of Swati Taliban are slowly becoming clear, and 
it seems that their supporters are also growing aware of the real 
situation....  Although the situation in the region is pretty bad, 
it has not yet reached a point of no-return.  Hence it would not be 
wrong to say that the TNSM still has time to get on with the 
experiment of Nizam-i-Adl, but only in Swat and that too under 
government supervision. Otherwise a full-fledged operation in area 
would be inevitable." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill: Still Seeking Control Over Pakistan," an op-ed by 
Shireen M. Mazari in the centrist national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"The U.S. leadership with its multiple histrionics, beginning with 
Obama, has made its negative Pakistan agenda clear: it is eventually 
seeking control of our nuclear assets and we are playing into their 
hands.  On the one hand, the militants are threatening the fabric of 
Pakistani society and on the other hand the U.S. is creating violent 
dissensions within Pakistan not only amongst civil society but also 
between the military and civilian structures.  It knows that unless 
it destroys the military institution, it cannot achieve its goal of 
targeting out nuclear assets.  So, it is demanding a role for the 
military which will undermine its morale, bring it into conflict 
with its own people and create further unrest....  As for the US 
agenda, what part is still not clear to our rulers?" 
 
"Pakistan's Critical Hour," an op-ed by Ahmed Rashid in the 
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (05/06) 
 
"The speed and conditions with which Congress provides emergency aid 
to Islamabad will affect the Pakistani government and army's ability 
and will to resist the Taliban onslaught.  It will also affect 
America's image in Pakistan and the regions.  Pakistanis are looking 
for evidence of the long-term U.S. commitment about which President 
Obama has spoken....  Congress should authorize these funds quickly, 
giving the Obama administration tools to convince the Pakistani 
people that it is standing behind them." 
 
"Is Obama's Concern Justified?," an op-ed by Zubeida Mustafa in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"The possibility of Pakistan's failure in countering the insurgency 
gives rise to Washington's next concern.  What if Pakistan's nuclear 
weapons fall into the hands of the militants?  Taliban armed with 
nukes would pose a mortal danger to the world.  This analysis cannot 
be disputed.  The problem for us is that we do not know how the U.S. 
plans to address the issue of the 'fragility' and 'inability' of the 
government.  The U.S. has pumped in massive sums into the country - 
the latest initiative envisages another $7.5bn over five years.  But 
it now realizes that foreign assistance by itself is not enough.  It 
lines a few pockets - in Pakistan as well as in America - and does 
not always trickle down to the common man to win his loyalty for 
those at the helm.  It is the government in Islamabad that must put 
the funds to sensible and honest use for the benefit of the common 
man.  Thus alone can he be made to feel he has a stake in the 
system." 
 
"Thank you, America," an op-ed by Ijaz Hussain in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (05/06) 
 
"It is possible to put several interpretations on what Obama said. 
One interpretation is that he has tried to provide justification to 
the US Congress for an easy passage of the Kerry-Lugar bill. After 
all, Obama's statement was not far from the truth because the 
Zardari government has undeniably failed to provide good governance. 
However, Obama can be faulted for using an inappropriate language 
and for publicly criticizing the civilian government.  The second 
interpretation is based on the timing of the statement, made a few 
days before President Zardari's visit to Washington. In this view, 
Obama made the remarks in order to pressurize Zardari to make him 
fully toe the American line on terrorism." 
 
"State Of Pakistan-U.S. Ties," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"The U.S., like many Pakistanis, too wants the national political 
leadership to be in partnership while tackling national problems. 
However mid-term elections do not appear to be an option of 
first-choice for key power-brokers and power-players within and 
outside of Pakistan.  Overall it appears that within the Obama 
administration there is an attempt to engage more wisely with the 
issues that are of concern to Pakistan.  The statement that was made 
while tabling the Kerry-Lugar Bill is significant in this respect." 
 
 
"The Cost Of Delayed Action," an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"It may well have been a combination of internal and external 
factors that goaded an inert government into action.  But the delay 
in making the decision to confront an increasingly dangerous 
situation speaks volumes about both the quality of leadership and 
its ability to accurately read the situation and act promptly.  This 
has reinforced the characteristic that the government has displayed 
in the past year, of acting only when an issue or problem explodes 
in its face....  What is apparent from the developments of the past 
several weeks is that the response to the growing threat of 
militancy cannot just assume the shape of fire-fighting.  A coherent 
and comprehensive strategy is needed to replace the patchwork and 
inconsistent approach followed thus far.  This means going beyond 
the mantra of 'Deterrence, Dialogue and Development' that the PPP 
government marshals out as its counter-insurgency policy.  This 
serves as a slogan rather than a serious plan of action." 
 
"The Suicide Dream," an op-ed by Aqab Malik in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(05/06) 
 
"According to the philosophy of the Taliban and their foreign 
cohorts, 'peace' deals are fundamentally used only to secure 
short-term objectives for long-term goals....  The promises within 
the deal are written and signed, but are not being pursued on 
account of the Taliban's delaying tactics.  There appears to be 
little doubt that the Taliban's long-term strategy is to secure the 
whole of Pakistan, irrespective of what they say while making deals 
with the government.  After all, if they are bereft of a conscience 
when it comes to killing innocent human beings, why would they care 
about the deals they make?" 
 
"Talibanization & Musharraf," an op-ed by Shehryar Mazari in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (05/06) 
 
"The Taliban crisis is a direct result of Musharraf's legacy.  For 
self-preservation he deliberately weakened the secular political 
structure, replacing it with a political environment which proved 
extremely conducive for religio-political militant groups that now 
threaten the existence of Jinnah's Pakistan....  Obviously today's 
most burning issue is the Talibanization of large swathes of our 
country from where it appears to be spreading day by day, night by 
night.  There is little point in berating the culprit." 
Feierstein