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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001198 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: June 02, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports of abduction of over "500 students of the Razmak 
Cadet College (near South Waziristan) by suspected Taliban 
militants" dominated headlines in all newspapers on Tuesday. 
Various newspapers, however, reported conflicting figures of the 
kidnapped students ranging from 15 to 500.  All dailies highlighted 
President Zardari's statement that "the war against militants is an 
all-out war."  Reports on the launching of a "new offensive to 
secure Charbagh - a key Taliban stronghold to clear it off the 
militants" received prominent display.  Several major dailies 
reported that U.S. Special envoy Holbrooke is "due this week to 
assess human crisis in IDPs camps."  U.S. National Intelligence 
Director Blair's visit to Pakistan and his meetings with various 
government officials garnered extensive media coverage.  Some 
newspapers also ran a Washington Post story that "drones hit 
'high-value' Al Qaeda targets." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the aftermath of the current 
military operation in Swat valley and adjoining areas.  However, 
some papers editorialized a variety of other issues including Bruce 
Reidel's article in the Wall Street Journal suggesting a civilian 
nuclear deal with Pakistan, Iran's decision to close border with 
Pakistan and the new judicial policy.  The centrist national English 
daily "The News," observed that "it seems inappropriate to be 
celebrating what seems like approaching victory in the battle for 
Swat."  Another English language daily "The Nation," stressed that 
the "sooner the government ensures basic amenities to the people 
returning to their homes, the quicker the crisis caused by the 
largest ever internal displacement of the country's history would be 
resolved."  The liberal Urdu daily "Express," while hailing the 
suggested U.S. offer of a civil nuclear cooperation as "encouraging" 
emphasized that "such cooperation should not be conditional."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Taliban Kidnap Over 500 Students" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"Tribal militants kidnapped over 500 students of the Razmak Cadet 
College from the Bakkakhel Frontier Region, Bannu, adjacent to the 
North Waziristan tribal region, on Monday, according to government 
and police officials. Details were sketchy but a senior security 
official said that 33 vehicles had started off from Razmak, with 540 
cadets, teaching staff and their families after the principal of the 
college ordered its closure amid apprehensions about an impending 
military operation against militants." 
 
"Its All-Out War, Says Zardari" "The Nation" (06/02) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has said that war against militancy is a 
total war and each and every section of society must rise to the 
occasion to defeat the mindset that creates and nurtures militancy." 
 
 
"Troops Fight For Charbagh Control"  "The News" (06/02) 
 
"Security forces on Monday claimed to have killed 37 militants in 
the Swat Valley and the Buner district during the ongoing military 
operation against Taliban militants. Also, troops launched an 
operation in the Charbagh area of the valley to clear it of the 
militants." 
 
"Holbrooke Due This Week To Assess Human Crisis "The Nation" (06/02) 
 
 
"U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke, will head to Pakistan this 
week to examine the humanitarian crisis there as civilian flee 
fighting in Swat valley, the State Department said on Monday." 
 
"PM Wants U.S. To Do More For Displaced People" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for enhanced, 
credible and actionable intelligence sharing and cooperation between 
Pakistan and the United States for the success of the war against 
militancy.  Talking to Director of U.S. National Intelligence Dennis 
¶C. Blair here on Monday, the prime minister said the army operation 
had been undertaken to eradicate militancy from the country." 
 
"High-Value Targets Hit By Drones: U.S. Paper" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"U.S. missiles from unmanned drones have eliminated about half of 20 
prominent Al Qaeda and other extremist leaders the U.S. identify as 
'high-value targets,' The Washington Post reported on Monday. All of 
them were killed along the Pakistan-Afghan border, the report said." 
 
 
"Forces On Standby To Catch 'Big Three': U.S. Paper" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"The US Special Operations Forces have standing orders to enter 
Pakistan if they have authentic information about the presence of 
the 'big three' in a particular area, The Washington Post reported 
on Monday.  The report identified the 'big three,' as Al Qaeda 
leader Osama bin Laden, his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri and Taliban 
leader Mullah Mohammad Omar." 
 
"U.S., Pakistan Flew 12 Joint Missions Over Fata" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"The U.S. and Pakistan flew 12 joint drone missions in the tribal 
areas this spring until Islamabad stopped participating in the 
missions, The Washington Post reported on Monday. Pakistan has long 
demanded joint ownership of U.S.-led drone missions into the tribal 
areas but so far the Americans have been reluctant to accept the 
Pakistani demand." 
 
"UN Chief Warns Of Severe Crisis" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon on Monday warned of a 
'destabilizing secondary crisis' in Pakistan as the world body would 
be forced to cut humanitarian agencies services in the conflict 
region because of lack of funding by the world community." 
 
Transmitter Chip Latest CIA Weapon In Pakistan" "Daily Times" 
(06/02) 
 
"The CIA is giving Pakistani tribesmen electronic transmitters to 
help it target and kill Al Qaeda leaders, a tactic it suggests 
Pakistani military can also use. Over the last 18 months, U.S. 
officials claim, nine of the top 20 Al Qaeda figures have been 
killed in drone strikes. That success is reportedly in part thanks 
to the 'chips' that have become a source of fear." 
 
"Mastermind Of Islamabad Suicide Attacks Arrested" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"Police claimed on Monday to have arrested a mastermind of two 
suicide attacks in the capital in March and April. Fidaullah, who is 
a former student of Jamia Faridia, was arrested after two suspects 
held for the suicide attacks named him. He has also been accused of 
ambushing troops, beheading three men in Buner after accusing them 
of spying for security forces and providing shelter to suicide 
bombers." 
 
"Govt Declares Total War Till Total Victory" "The News" (06/02) 
 
"A high-level meeting on national security okayed on Monday the 
establishment of a new special anti-terrorist force (SATF) in all 
the four provinces and the federal capital." 
 
"Govt Employees Refuse To Return To Buner Despite Orders" "Daily 
Times" (06/02) 
 
"A majority of government employees from different departments in 
Buner district have refused to return and resume their duties, 
despite an NWFP government order to this effect, sources said on 
Monday." 
 
"Girls' School Blown Up In Mohmand" "Daily Times" (06/02) 
 
"The Taliban blew up another girls' school in Mohmand Agency on 
Monday. According to sources, Taliban had wired the government-run 
girls' school with an improvised explosive device in the Shewafarash 
area of Lakro tehsil, which they detonated early on Monday 
morning." 
 
"Conflicting Accounts Of Taftan Border 'Closure'" "Dawn" (06/02) 
 
"Iran has partially closed a border crossing into Pakistan following 
a deadly mosque bombing in southeastern Iran, two Pakistani 
officials near the border said on Monday. Foreign Minister Shah 
Mehmood Qureshi, however, said the frontier was open. Qamar Masood, 
a senior official in Balochistan, said the crossing at Taftan had 
been closed for trading but that foot traffic was still being 
allowed." 
 
"Indian Strategic Partnership Offer Is Threat To Our Existence: 
General(r) Jamshed Ayaz" "Ummat" (Cir. 33,000) (06/02) 
 
"Maj. General (retd) Jamshed Ayaz, who heads Regional Study 
Institute, has said that the recent Indian offer of strategic 
partnership to Pakistan is a threat to our existence. He said that 
despite the U.S. assurances, India remained a threat to Pakistan as 
it continued to strive to turn Pakistan into a barren land by 
building dams and water reservoirs on the rivers heading to 
Pakistan." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Ruins Of War," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) 
 
"It seems inappropriate to be celebrating what seems like 
approaching victory in the battle for Swat. . . The military is 
engaged in war, even if it is fought within the boundaries of its 
own country, and its primary target must be to win it. However, 
given the possibility of further fighting, in Waziristan and 
elsewhere, some basic parameters are required. The nature of this 
war and its goal of winning back not just territory but also hearts 
and minds, means sparing civilian suffering must be a key objective. 
. . The immediate priority must be to rush aid to Mingora and other 
areas." 
 
"Go For Reconstruction," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/02) 
 
". . . There is no denying the fact that the ongoing operation has 
to be pursued to its logical end but it is equally important to 
focus on the reconstruction phase once the government is through 
with the resettlement issue in the areas that have so far been 
declared safe for the return of the IDPs. The sooner the government 
ensures basic amenities to the people returning to their homes, the 
quicker the crisis caused by the largest ever internal displacement 
of the country's history would be resolved." 
 
"Change In Indian And U.S. Stance," an editorial in liberal Urdu 
daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/02) 
 
"U.S. offer of a civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan [reference 
to Bruce Reidel's article in Wall Street Journal], on the lines of 
the U.S.- deal with India is encouraging, but such cooperation 
should not be conditional...  The question is:  why such conditions 
for Pakistan alone?.. Did the U.S. get such assurances from India 
also before signing the deal with it...?" 
 
"Civil Nuclear Deal With The U.S.," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (06/02) 
 
"Bruce Reidel's article could be seen as a signal from the U.S. 
administration although the U.S. government has not made any formal 
offer for civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan...  Although such 
a deal with the U.S. is in Pakistan's interests, but it needs to be 
given a great deal of thought...  If the leaders feel that such a 
deal with the U.S. is required, it must be ensured that our 
relations and agreements with China are not harmed because while the 
U.S. can betray us China never will." 
 
"Securing Victory," an op-ed by Rasul Bakhsh Rais in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (06/02) 
 
". . . As Afghanistan is largely an American baby and its 
responsibility in terms of security and reconstruction, we can only 
hope the U.S. will do better than it has done so far. We have a 
direct stake in the peace and political integrity of Afghanistan 
because its failures are going to affect our security very 
adversely. . ." 
 
"What We're Up Against In Waziristan," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (06/02) 
 
". . . According to some estimates, Baitullah could have in his 
kitty around Rs 4 billion to spend annually. This money comes from 
drugs facilitated by Al Qaeda contacts, Arab money from the Gulf, 
money made from kidnapping for ransom, looting of banks, smuggling 
and "protection money" in general. He has weapons produced in 
Russia, the U.S. and India, and has been looting explosives produced 
at the Wah munitions factory. His strength has been built up during 
a period of benign neglect in Islamabad, which has been focusing on 
India as the country's premier threat. But Swat has proved that the 
Taliban can be taken on and defeated. The national consensus is 
there and crucial international support in these lean times is 
forthcoming too." 
 
 "Winning The Peace" an op-ed by Dr Maleeha Lodhi in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) 
 
". .. To repatriate the internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to 
their homes will be an extraordinary task. To resettle them in an 
environment where basic services are functioning and law enforcement 
is assured will be an even greater challenge. The situation cannot 
realistically be expected to normalize so easily or speedily in the 
aftermath of so much destruction and disruption. For these reasons 
and, in the absence of a viable civilian arrangement that can be 
fashioned in the near term, the army may have to prepare itself to 
remain in Swat longer than it may wish to. Establishing a cantonment 
in Mingora for a permanent presence in the heart of the region to 
prevent the return of militants and insure a secure environment for 
the residents of Swat now appears inevitable. . . 
 
"Plight Of The IDPs" an op-ed by Anees Jillani in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(06/02) 
 
". . . It is apparent that the issue is not simply that of 
displacement; it is also of poverty. The families in the camp are 
totally dependent on the state and others for help. Helping them 
makes one feel better, but it is not a long-term solution to the 
problem of poverty in the country.  What is required therefore is 
not only to improve their living conditions and provide necessary 
amenities in the camps, and to speed up the ongoing operation in 
Swat and the rest of Malakand to facilitate their return but to 
start thinking of development schemes to revitalize the areas these 
IDPs have come from." 
 
"Commendable Announcement To End Swat Operation," an editorial in 
the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (06/02) 
 
"It is commendable that Defense Secretary Syed Athar Ali has 
announced that the ongoing military operation in Swat would be 
accomplished within two or three days...  It will pave way for the 
repatriation of the IDPs to their homes.  Nevertheless, following 
the restoration of writ of the government, the decision of keeping 
the forces in the area may be a temporary remedy of this problem, 
but not a lasting solution, as there is likelihood of return of 
militants along with the homecoming of IDPs." 
 
"Good News Of Military Operation's Completion," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (06/02) 
 
 "Defense Secretary Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali has disclosed for the 
first time that Pakistan has the cooperation of friendly countries 
for the safety of its nuclear assets.  However, he did not name any 
country in this respect....  Defense Secretary's passing remarks 
about safety of Pakistan's nuclear assets actually are very 
important from defense point of view.  If the government has decided 
to utilize expertise of any other country for the protection of our 
nuclear assets then our parliament should be taken into confidence 
in this respect." 
 
"Next Phase In Buner," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) 
 
". . . It is reassuring to see the federal government has not taken 
its eye off the ball and is trying to keep its focus on the 
operation in Malakand division. President Zardari chaired a meeting 
of top political, administrative and security officials on Monday, 
indicating that the government at least understands the need for the 
various arms of the state to stay informed about each others' 
actions. We have said it before and we'll say it again: 
counter-insurgency can only be successful if the full force of the 
state - political, administrative and military - is brought to bear 
against the militants." 
 
"Iran's Closure Of Border With Pakistan," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (06/02) 
 
"We [Pakistan and Iran] will have to combat with prudence the fire 
started by our enemy [American, Israel, India].  That is why Iran 
should reconsider its decision to close its border with Pakistan and 
should not take any hasty step that benefits our joint enemy." 
 
"Need For Regional Alliance," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) 
(06/02) 
 
"Jamat Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan after meeting Iranian Consul 
General in Karachi has told reporters that Pakistan needs to build a 
regional alliance to counter American and NATO occupation of this 
region which could also extend to the Central Asia. This is a right 
step in the right direction, as we believe Iran in concert with 
China can provide a leading role to the Muslim world in developing a 
resistance movement against the United States. Literally there is 
almost no resistance against the Americans in this part of the 
world. Pakistan too can play a key role. However if Iran and 
Pakistan hesitate to do so, then no one would be safe from the U.S. 
designs in future." 
 
"The Illegality Of Drones," an op-ed by Dr Tariq Hassan in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (06/02) 
 
". . . There is mounting criticism at all levels in Pakistan against 
the U.S. drone attacks. However, the U.S. continues unabashedly to 
carry out targeted killings of suspected terrorists through drone 
attacks in Pakistan. Needless to say this drastic measure used as a 
counter-terrorism strategy is not consistent with either 
conventional or customary international law. . . Under the 
circumstances, President Obama should take the moral high ground and 
review his administration's policy of such targeting inside 
Pakistan. Even if it is not willing to reassess its legal position, 
Washington must re-evaluate it in the light of public policy given 
the moral hazard created by the immense human suffering produced by 
the attacks." 
 
Patterson