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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001236 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: June 05, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of President Obama's much-awaited 
address to the Muslim world dominated all front pages on Friday. His 
vow to "forge a 'new beginning' for Islam and America," and to end 
the "cycle of suspicion and discord" received prominent display. 
U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke's ongoing Pakistan visit continued to 
garner media coverage. Newspapers highlighted Mr. Holbrooke's visit 
to IDPs' camps in Swabi and Mardan and his pledge that the U.S. 
would extend "complete support" to Pakistan in the face of 
challenges from terrorism.  Army Chief General Kayani's statement 
that "tide in Swat had turned against terrorists and their organized 
resistance was dying down at a fast pace" also received extensive 
coverage in all newspapers.  Newspapers reported that the "security 
forces arrested three key leaders of TNSM (Tehrik-i-Nifaz Shariat 
Muhammadi)," however there were conflicting reports about the 
detention of its chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad. 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on President Obama's address at 
Cairo University to re-define relations with the Muslim world and 
Ambassador Holbrooke's Pakistan visit.  The prestigious English 
daily, "Dawn," called the presidential speech "a sweeping message 
that tried to show a softer, gentler side of the U.S., one that 
emphasized similarities and opportunities and not divisions with the 
Muslim world."  The leading mass circulation Urdu daily "Jang," 
underlined that the "U.S. leadership must be told that the Muslim 
youth will continue to express their anger in the shape of 
extremism, fanaticism and militant tendencies, if issues like 
Palestine and Kashmir aren't resolved amicably."  However, the 
popular Urdu-language daily "Ausaf," was cautious and observed that 
"every American president prior to Mr. Obama had expressed his 
desire to hold good ties with Muslim world, but no one ever took any 
concrete step to achieve this objective."  The center-right national 
English daily "The Nation," described the address as "a refreshingly 
different, in thoughts, words and tone, from President Bush's often 
demeaning utterances."  End Summary. 
 
 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Obama asks Muslims to make fresh beginning" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Quoting from the Holy Quran for emphasis, President Barack Obama 
called for a 'new beginning between the United States and Muslims' 
on Thursday and said that together they could confront violent 
extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace 
in the Middle East. 'This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,' 
Mr Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's 
largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations 
after the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, and the US-led war in 
Iraq." 
 
"Holbrooke Assures Support To Pakistan" "The News" (06/05) 
 
"US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has 
said his country will extend complete support to Pakistan in the 
face of challenges from terrorism." 
 
"Holbrooke Urges Help For IDPs" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke 
urged the world community on Thursday to help the people displaced 
by the operation against militants in Swat and other parts of 
Malakand division and try to avert a humanitarian crisis." 
 
"Holbrooke Raps EU, OIC Over IDPs" "Daily Times" (06/05) 
 
"U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke urged European and Muslim 
nations on Thursday to help families displaced from Swat, 
questioning 'where are the Europeans? Where is the OIC?' 'The US is 
giving almost half of all the aid Pakistan has got. That's not 
right,' said Holbrooke while visiting Shah Mansoor Camp." 
 
"Holbrooke Calls On Nawaz" "The News" (06/05) 
 
"US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke on 
Thursday called on Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif 
and discussed bilateral issues with particular focus on the war 
against terrorism, PML-N sources said." 
 
"Tide Has Turned Against Terrorists, Says Kayani" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on 
Thursday that the tide in Swat had turned against terrorists and 
their organized resistance was dying down at a fast pace." 
 
"Three Key Leaders Of TNSM Arrested" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Security forces arrested on Thursday three key leaders of the 
defunct Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi from its headquarters in 
Amandara, Malakand region.  However, there were conflicting reports 
about the detention of TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad." 
 
"Confusion Reigns Over Sufi Muhammad's Arrest" "The News" (06/05) 
 
"There was confusion over the purported arrest of TNSM chief Sufi 
Mohammad due to the conflicting versions of the NWFP government and 
the military spokesman. Initially, the provincial government had 
reportedly confirmed the arrest of the aged cleric along with his 
deputy and others while the military authorities denied making any 
such arrest." 
 
"Kidnapped Students Freed" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Militants in South Waziristan freed unconditionally all the 
kidnapped students and teachers of the Razmak Cadet College after 
holding talks with a tribal jirga on Thursday. The 45 students and 
two teachers were taken to the college after the militants turned 
them over to the jirga in Makeen." 
 
"Indian Envoy Conveys Concerns Over Saeed's Release" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
 
"Pakistan told India on Thursday that terrorism could be dealt with 
through 'pragmatic cooperation' instead of mudslinging and 
browbeating. 'Pakistan's determination to eliminate terrorism in all 
forms and manifestations is unequivocal and beyond question. The way 
forward is to adopt a cooperative mode,' Foreign Secretary Salman 
Bashir told Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal, who called on 
him to convey his government's concern about the release of Jamaatud 
Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed." 
 
"India For Reshaping Ties With Pakistan" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Indian President Pratibha Patil unveiled the government's domestic 
and foreign policy on Thursday, which includes an offer to reshape 
ties with Pakistan and a promise to expand with-ranging partnership 
with China." 
 
"Muslims Urged To Shun Alliances With 'Infidels'  ""Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has called for a long war against 
'infidels and their agents' and warned Muslims that alliances with 
Christians and Jews would 'turn them into apostates'. 'Brace 
yourselves for a long war against the world's infidels and their 
agents,' he said in a recording posted on an Islamist website on 
Thursday." 
 
"Obama's Address Hypocritical: JI" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Jamaat-i-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hasan on Thursday termed 
President Obama's address at Cairo University a master piece of 
hypocrisy and contradictory to the US policies. He was talking to 
media after meeting with banned outfit Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz 
Muhammad Saeed at the latter's residence." 
 
"Taliban Commander Killed In Kohat" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"A commander of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan was killed in an encounter 
with police during an operation launched in the village of Kot on 
Thursday to rescue four kidnapped people, including a university 
professor." 
 
"School, Two Houses Blown Up In Buner" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Militants blew up a government school and two houses of military 
officials on Thursday after security forces stepped up their 
offensive to destroy their redoubts in mountainous villages of the 
district. The security forces shelled suspected militant hideouts, 
but no casualty was reported." 
 
"Army Claims Killing 10 Militants In Swat, Buner" "Dawn" (06/05) 
 
"Ten terrorists were killed and six were captured, while six 
militant hideouts were destroyed in various areas of Swat and Buner 
on Wednesday and Thursday. The Inter-Services Public Relations said 
in a statement that one soldier laid down his life and two others 
were injured." 
 
"Proof Against Hafiz Saeed Given To LHC" "The News" (06/05) 
 
"The federal and Punjab governments will shortly move a joint appeal 
in the Supreme Court against the Lahore High court order setting 
free Hafiz Saeed, as the attorney-general claimed on Thursday the 
government had furnished classified documentary evidence before LHC 
judges for keeping him under pre-emptive detention." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Reaching Out," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) 
 
"[The President's speech] was a sweeping message that tried to show 
a softer, gentler side of the U.S., one that emphasized similarities 
and opportunities and not divisions with the Muslim world....  At 
the very least... the speech was yet more evidence that the U.S. has 
put behind it the roughest edges of the Bush Years." 
 
"Muslim World Should Talk To President Obama Frankly," an editorial 
in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (06/05) 
 
"President Obama's meeting with Saudi and Egyptian leaders and his 
address to the Muslim world can become a starting point for dialogue 
with Muslims across the world.  For this purpose, the Muslim states 
must chalk out a common strategy to maintain ties with Washington 
but with national honor and dignity.  In the light of that strategy, 
Muslim leaders must talk to President Obama candidly on issues like 
withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.  The U.S. 
leadership must be told that the Muslim youth will continue to 
express their anger in the shape of extremism, fanaticism and 
militant tendencies if issues like Palestine and Kashmir aren't 
resolved amicably." 
 
"Rhetoric & Reality," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) 
 
"None can deny that President Obama is a rhetorician the like of 
which America has not seen for decades. Both Clinton and Kennedy 
would find him hard to match for sheer eloquence and elegant 
phraseology - that on the surface is free of ambiguity.  His address 
to the Al Azhar University in Cairo on Thursday was a model of its 
kind,. . . No American President has ever gone out of his way to 
reach out to the Muslim world in the way that President Obama has. 
We applaud that.  But our applause is discreet rather than rapturous 
for these are as yet mere words. Were we ever to see all - or any - 
of them transition from rhetoric to reality then the applause would 
thunder across the world, and bring together the hands of every 
faith." 
 
"President Obama's Desire To Maintain Congenial Ties With Muslim 
World," an editorial note in the popular rightist Urdu-language 
daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) 
 
"Every American president prior to Mr. Obama had expressed his 
desire to hold good ties with Muslim world, but no one ever took any 
concrete step to achieve this objective.  Unlike his predecessors, 
if Mr. Obama takes positive and constructive steps to improve ties 
with Muslim states, and consequently Muslims feel that Mr. Obama is 
different from other American leaders, Muslim world will beyond 
doubt take ten steps forward to improve stained relationship with 
the United States.  However, if President Obama doesn't come up to 
this benchmark, the gap between the U.S. and Muslim world will grow 
to be more wide." 
 
"A Refreshing Address," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/05) 
 
"President Barack Hussain Obama's address to the Muslim world 
delivered from the podium of Cairo University on Thursday was 
refreshingly different, in thoughts, words and tone, from President 
Bush's often demeaning utterances....  But if he endorses the 
Quranic aphorism he quotes, that the murder of one innocent person 
is the murder of all mankind, he needs to explain the innocent 
civilians' deaths that the drone attacks were causing.  Mr Obama 
rightly remarked, 'no single speech' could remove the age-old cycle 
of suspicion between Muslims and the Western world.  Rather, unless 
these sentiments were translated into comparable deeds, any number 
of speeches would turn out to be mere hot air." 
 
"Obama's Visit to Muslim Countries," an editorial in Karachi based 
independent and pro-left Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" (Cir. 70,000) 
(06/05) 
 
"President Obama's first visit to the Muslim countries is being seen 
very seriously and with lot of interest mainly because of 
commitments that he made during his election campaign to improve 
ties with Muslim world.  9/11 incident distanced the U.S. from 
Muslim countries, and this gap needs to be bridged sooner or later. 
Experts believe that unless America withdraws its forces from 
Afghanistan and Iraq, relations with Muslims won't improve. Above 
all if U.S. wants to remain an influential and a global power, it 
has to change its policy eventually." 
 
"Don't Turn Holbrooke Into A Viceroy," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (06/05) 
 
"U.S. Representative Richard Holbrooke's repeated Islamabad visits, 
his meetings with rulers, opposition leaders and other political and 
religious elements, his interference in pure internal matters of 
Pakistan and observations on our political issues show that he has 
been appointed as Pakistan's viceroy.  It appears that government of 
Pakistan, the army and other institutions are obliged to obey his 
orders....  Addressing a press conference Holbrooke did not hesitate 
while saying that PPP and PML-N have agreed on repeal of 17th 
Amendment in the constitution.  He also expressed concern over Hafiz 
Saeed's release....  Holbrooke hasn't uttered a word on Kashmir 
dispute which is a roadblock against establishment of peace in the 
region." 
 
"Holbrook's Pakistan Visit," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) 
(06/05) 
 
"American attitude towards Pakistan and the present government has 
changed following the Swat operation. U.S. has been successful in 
pitching Pakistan Army and people against each other, as this helps 
reinforcing their occupation of Afghanistan." 
 
"Swat Operation, Richard Holbrooke And The Pakistani Leadership," an 
editorial in Lahore-based populist Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) 
(06/05) 
 
"The need is for the Pakistan government to inform the U.S. Special 
Envoy of its problems. The government should emphasize on more aid 
for the IDPs, inform Mr. Holbrooke about Indian provocation, its 
water aggression and its attempts of involving Pakistan in terrorist 
acts. The government should inform [Mr. Holbrooke] that Pakistan is 
fearlessly fighting a war against terror that the U.S. started, but 
for which Pakistan is playing an effective role." 
 
"No Country Including The U.S. Has The Authority To Review Pakistani 
Judiciary's Verdicts'," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent 
Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) 
 
"Responding to a question [on Hafiz Saeed's release], Ambassador 
Holbrooke said that, 'I have come to Pakistan to express support for 
the Pakistani people and do not want to comment on such questions; 
Pakistan has its own law, however, we are concerned at any step that 
encourages extremism.'  According to another newspaper, Mr. 
Holbrooke said: 'Hafiz Saeed's release is Pakistan's internal 
matter; the U.S. is monitoring the situation."  The question is: 
what law in the world authorizes an official of the U.S. 
administration to say that [he] is reviewing the judicial decision 
of an independent and sovereign nation?" 
"Malakand Affectees' Troubles And International Assistance," an 
editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/05) 
 
"The U.S. has announced an additional $200 million in aid for 
Malakand affectees while Special Envoy Holbrooke has said that the 
U.S. will provide more aid too.  Following the successes of the Swat 
operation, the U.S. administration should not have any doubts about 
Pakistan's sincerity in the war on terror.  However, other elements 
having an impact on this operation need attention.  First is the 
drone attacks, and the second issue is the recovery of U.S.-made 
weapons from the terrorists. Both these elements are fanning 
anti-U.S. sentiments and are creating an impression in the public 
that on the one hand the U.S. is asking Pakistan to 'do more' 
against militants, yet on the other hand it is arming the Taliban. 
The U.S. administration should look into the issue of American 
weapons in terrorists' hands and ensure that this is not repeated. 
Also, the U.S. must stop drone strikes so that innocent deaths are 
avoided and the negative impact on the Swat operation is 
minimized." 
 
"U.S. Aid For IDPs Is Encouraging, But...," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) 
 
"America has announced an increase in Pakistan's assistance to help 
it combat IDP problem and the announcement should be welcomed. 
American President's Envoy noted that Islamic countries did not help 
Pakistan as they should have in this difficult time....  This is a 
fact that Pakistan is trapped in the war started by America.... And 
now America talks about the assistance package as if unmindful of 
the sacrifices given by the people and security forces....  We still 
appreciate America's help and its act of drawing other friends' 
attention toward the need for more assistance." 
 
"Army To Stay In Swat," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) 
 
". . . The line taken by the NWFP government is that sharia law 
imposed through the Nizam-e Adl Regulation will remain intact. But 
we fear that unless the law is re-examined, it might hamper Malakand 
in its efforts to return to the status quo ante of economic 
self-sufficiency.  The law might favor the small agricultural 
community and thus gain their support while leaving out the much 
larger, employment-intensive community engaged in the hotelling 
industry." 
 
"Assessing The Taliban Threat," an op-ed by Shaukat Qadir in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (06/05) 
 
". . . Finally, it appears the political government has decided that 
enough is enough. The prime minister has promised that the recently 
started military operations will run their course throughout the 
NWFP and eliminate this threat once and for all. Time will tell but, 
perhaps, it is time for the usually silent but irrelevant majority 
to stand up collectively to be counted and become relevant, if only 
to ensure that the political leadership does not waver again." 
 
"Reactions To Hafiz Saeed's Release," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (06/05) 
 
"Sensitive to international opinion and keen to restart peace talks 
with India, Pakistan has decided to appeal the release of Mr. Saeed 
by the Lahore High Court. It was first reported that the prosecution 
had shown some special evidence to the honorable court; now it comes 
to light that it had not. How it seeks to appeal in order to 
overturn the decision of the court cannot be imagined. The truth is 
that Hafiz Saeed is out of 'protective custody,' free once again to 
speak as he sees fit in light of how the army performs in Swat and 
elsewhere." 
 
"U.S. Nervousness Over Release Of Hafiz Saeed," an editorial in the 
popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) 
 
"U.S Special Envoy Holbrooke has expressed concerns over the release 
of Jamaatud Dawaa's chief Hafiz Saeed saying that it puzzled the 
United States...  Pakistani people were pleased with the Lahore High 
Court's verdict, but the U.S. is upset on this issue.  This 
difference of opinion clearly shows that how divergent thoughts of 
Pakistanis and Americans are." 
 
"It Will Be Harmful To Prolong Military operation" an editorial in 
the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (06/05) 
 
"Pakistan Army's announcement of continuing the military operation 
in Swat for another two months was made following meeting of the 
U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke with Pakistani officials.  It seems 
that this decision is an outcome of the joint deliberations of 
Pakistan and American leaderships." 
 
"Balancing Priorities," an op-ed by Dr Masooda Bano in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) 
 
"The government and the military high command have made it clear 
that the current military operations won't be short despite the 
intensity of these operations. The operations are expected to carry 
on for at least seven months. This raises two important issues: one, 
will the military be able to sustain such intensive operations for 
that long?; two, the issue of internally displaced people will 
require serious attention as many of these people would not be able 
to return to their homes in the near future. Most important of all, 
the decision to opt for such an extreme military strategy has left 
Pakistan with very limited choices. If the military fails this time 
to quell the so-called 'Taliban' movement, however the government or 
the military defines it, the consequences will be devastating. . . 
The government needs to be more accountable to the public by sharing 
details of these operations and explaining how these military 
interventions fit in its long-term strategy --the actual fear right 
now is that there is none." 
 
"Help At Hand," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) 
 
"It is then clear that the US intends to pursue a rather familiar 
carrot and stick strategy. It is willing to help Pakistan gain 
access to the funds it desperately requires, but at the same time it 
is determined also to press ahead with other agendas. These include 
an all-out effort against terror and action against groups such as 
the Jamaatud Dawa, but also a stable, less acrimonious political 
environment.  There is no harm in going along with parts of the US 
agenda that suit our own interests. Both an end to the 17th 
Amendment and tackling terrorist outfits would seem to fall in line 
with this. But where the US seems to ready to intervene in our 
affairs, there is a need to adopt a tougher approach and make it 
clear that what we seek is a relationship based on cooperation and 
not one where dictation is the key word." 
 
"Terrorists May Get Access To U.S. Nukes," an editorial note in the 
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(06/05) 
 
"There are some media reports that the U.S. administration 
accidentally posted on the internet a list of government and 
civilian nuclear facilities and their activities in the United 
States, and that the Pentagon has initiated an investigation on this 
issue...  This is the account of a country, the U.S. whose 
government, think tanks and media are worrying about the future of 
Pakistani nukes and paying continuous hue and cry on the safety of 
them, despite Pakistan's all assurances about the security measures. 
 The international community must mind it that if there is any 
nuclear terror attack anywhere in the world in future, only the 
United States will be held responsible for that as it has 
jeopardized the security of the whole world owing to its worst-ever 
criminal negligence on this extremely sensitive issue." 
 
"Obama's Appeal And Saudi Monarch's Avoidance," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (06/05) 
 
"American president Obama sought Saudi monarch Abdullah's help for 
controlling Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  However, the King 
avoided giving a positive response....  The Saudi King surely 
considered Obama's appeal worthless because of his administration's 
anti-Muslim policies.  The Taliban are the creation of America and 
it should deal with the situation." 
 
"UN's Appreciable Standpoint," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) 
(06/05) 
 
"UN Human Rights Representative Philip Alston said at UN Human 
Rights Council that American drone attacks are causing large number 
of innocent people's death....  America should respect UN's opinion. 
 American diplomats' rejection of UN Representative's statement is 
condemnable....  The government of Pakistan too should have some 
courage and take the matter of the innocent people's killing to 
UN." 
Patterson