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PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHNEH
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P 111152Z MAY 09
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000947 
 
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: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, TALIBAN / 
PAKISTAN, PAKISTAN, NEPAL; NEW DELHI MAY 09-11, 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. 
 
------------------ 
INDO-PAK RELATIONS 
------------------ 
 
¶1. "FRESH DIALOGUE WITH INDIA," editorial in the May 8 
right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "Pakistan today is 
in the grip of grave dangers both within and from 
outside. It is imperative for Pakistan to improve its 
ties with India. Who is behind enervating and 
destabilizing Pakistan? The needle of suspicion 
oscillates between the Taliban & the United States. As 
far as fresh dialogue between India and Pakistan is 
concerned, Zardari is dropping hints. The days to come 
will tell us what kind of relations the new government 
in New Delhi wants with Pakistan. The leadership in 
Pakistan has become totally flustered by a series of 
failures. American influence and interference has 
further complicated things. The situation -- and 
bilateral ties between India and Pakistan -- are likely 
to improve significantly once an amicable climate for 
dialogue is created." 
 
------------------ 
TALIBAN / PAKISTAN 
------------------ 
 
¶2. "HOPE AGAINST TERRORISM," editorial in the May 9 
nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Pakistan's 
military offensive against the Taliban raises hopes 
that it is finally moving in the right direction. Both 
Afghanistan and Pakistan need the international 
community's guidance and cooperation to fight 
terrorism. The U.S. has promised economic aid to 
Pakistan, but it cannot provide it without seeing 
honest and effective action by Pakistan on the 
terrorism front." 
 
¶3. "JOINT-WAR AGAINST TALIBAN," editorial in the May 9 
centrist DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "The Pakistani 
army is the real obstacle in the trilateral -- U.S.- 
Afghanistan-Pakistan -- initiative. Being the only 
powerful and organized force in the region, the 
Pakistani army can play an important role in the war 
against the Taliban. But the U.S. would be well advised 
not to depend on the Pakistani Army; the permanent 
solution to Pakistan's miseries is democracy." 
 
¶4. "NEED FOR A STRONG STANCE AGAINST TALIBAN," 
editorial in the May 9 right-of-center Urdu daily 
RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "There have been incidents of 
escalated tension between the Pakistani army and the 
Taliban in Pakistan recently. That suggests the 
Pakistani government has adopted a tough stance against 
the Taliban, even though just a few weeks back the 
Pakistani government entered into an agreement with the 
Taliban allowing it to impose Shariah (Islamic law) in 
 
NEW DELHI 00000947  002 OF 003 
 
 
the Swat Valley and adjoining tribal areas. Despite 
that agreement, Taliban fighters continued to indulge 
in terrorist activities. In fact, they even went to the 
extent of imposing the Jizya (religious tax)on the 
region's Sikhs - a totally un-Islamic policy, as a 
result of which thousands of Sikhs were forced to 
migrate to safer havens." 
 
¶5. "OPERATION AGAINST TALIBAN," editorial in the May 9 
Guwahati Assamese centrist DAINIK JANASADHARAN. 
"Obama's strong stand has forced the Zardari government 
to take military action against the advancing Taliban. 
The success of the army operation is important to 
Pakistan's stability, and to winning the ongoing war 
against terrorism.  Though the current offensive 
against the Taliban seems to be moving in the right 
direction, it is an acid test for Pakistan, because a 
large portion of Pakistanis -- including the army, the 
ISI and government officials -- is none too happy about 
taking such actions under threat from the U.S." 
 
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PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶6. "A NEW BATTLEFRONT FOR AMERICA," editorial in the 
May 9 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ: "The 
most plausible reason for the United States to wage a 
war against Pakistan is the nuclear prowess possessed 
by the latter. America evidently does not have the 
capability to fight a terrestrial war, knowing full 
well it can only fight aerial wars. At this juncture, 
it is imperative for America to think rationally and 
avoid pushing the world to the brink of a third world 
war. A minor mistake could ignite the world and push it 
into global war. Before countries like China and Russia 
begin to intervene and start asserting themselves, it 
would be prudent for America to mend its course, thus 
preventing a catastrophe which has the potential to 
devastate the world." 
 
¶7. "ZARDARI'S HALF TRUTH" editorial in the May 11 right 
of center Marathi daily Saamna. "Pakistan is in no 
danger from India. That comes from none other than 
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.  He has also 
reiterated that Pakistan faces real danger from the 
terrorists hiding in its own country.  Just two days 
back Pakistan moved some troops away from the Indian 
border.  This 'confession' from Zardari and the 
decision to withdraw some of these troops comes after 
that.  But it does not come from a sense of remorse -- 
it is a result of American pressure." 
 
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NEPAL 
----- 
 
¶8. "NEPAL CRISIS DUE TO OBSTINATE PRACHANDA" op-ed in 
the May 9 centrist Marathi daily PRAHAAR by 
Chandrashekhar Joshi. "India's one time trusted 
neighbor Nepal is undergoing a political and 
 
NEW DELHI 00000947  003 OF 003 
 
 
constitutional crisis over the dismissal of Nepal Army 
head Rukmagand Katwal.  To solve this crisis President 
Rambharan Yadav gave the parties one week - until May 9 
- to form a government.  But there was no response. 
Even if there were a momentary understanding of sorts, 
nobody knows how permanent it would be.  The crisis in 
Nepal is not limited to the dismissal or reinstatement 
of the Army chief.  The crisis is ideological.  It 
comes down to a choice between democracy and Chinese- 
style Maoist dictatorship." 
BURLEIGH