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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001330 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 17, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of President Zardari's meeting 
with Indian Prime Minister Singh on the sidelines of Shanghai 
Cooperation Organization (SCO), and their agreement to hold "Foreign 
secretary-level talks" dominated headlines in all newspapers on 
Wednesday.  Newspapers highlighted report that the "U.S. Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved Kerry-Lugar Bill," 
which is less restrictive than the one passed last week by the House 
of Representatives.  All major dailies reported that the "Pakistan 
Army had formally received marching orders against Taliban leader 
Baitullah Mehsud" and that the "preparatory phase of the offensive 
had begun."  The security forces' claim of "killing 15 Taliban 
including a key foreign commander in Bajaur and Dir" also received 
front page display.  An accused top Al Qaeda operative Khalid Sheikh 
Mohammad's claim to "have lied under torture by the CIA" also got 
extensive coverage. 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on a host of subjects including 
the current military operation against Taliban militants, the 
aftermath of Iranian presidential election, talks with India and the 
provincial yearly budgets.  Commenting on the forthcoming offensive 
against TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud, the country's premier business 
newspaper, "Business Recorder," observed that the "truth is that in 
terms of dislocations and infrastructural damage the saga of 
Malakand operation is too dreadful to be revisited."  The 
prestigious English daily, "Dawn," also noted that "this is no mean 
task and while the world realizes that Pakistan cannot go it alone 
in this fight, it has been slow to come to Islamabad's aid in 
combating both militancy and its socio-economic fallout."  However 
the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," continued 
harping upon the stereotype theme that "Americans are indulging in 
negative propaganda and increasing pressure on Pakistan in order to 
win the lost war in Afghanistan."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Pak-India Talks At Secretaries' Level Planned" "Dawn" (06/17) 
 
"The Pakistan-India peace process, stalled for eight months, got a 
fresh lease of life when President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh met on the sidelines of the Shanghai 
Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Yekaterinburg (Russia) on 
Tuesday.  The two sides agreed that their Foreign Secretaries would 
meet on 'mutually convenient dates' to be followed by another 
meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned 
Movement Summit in Egypt in July." 
 
"Panel Approves Aid Bill" "Dawn" (06/17) 
 
"The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved a separate 
version of the aid to Pakistan (Kerry-Lugar Bill), which is less 
restrictive than the one passed last week by the House of 
Representatives.  The Senate version sets fewer conditions on 
Islamabad to qualify for an annual aid of $1.5 billion for the next 
five years than the house bill, said an official announcement.  The 
bill now goes to the full Senate for approval." 
 
"From Rah-e-Rast To Rah-e-Nijat: Army Ready To Enter South 
Waziristan" "Daily Times" (06/17) 
 
"The Pakistan Army has formally received marching orders against 
Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud and preparations for the first phase 
of a military operation in South Waziristan have already been 
completed, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General 
Maj Gen Athar Abbas said on Tuesday." 
 
"15 Taliban Killed In Bajaur, Dir" "The News" (06/17) 
 
"Security forces on Tuesday claimed to have killed 15 militants, 
including a key foreign commander, known as Goraila, in Bajaur 
Agency and Dir Lower district.  Sources told 'The News' that 
security forces heavily shelled positions of the militants in the 
Charmang area of Nawagai Tehsil with artillery from Khar, 
headquarters of the Bajaur Agency, Loisam and Tank Khatta camps, 
destroying several hideouts in the area." 
 
"Khalid Sheikh Claims To Have Lied Under CIA Torture" "Dawn" 
(06/17) 
"Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, an accused top Al Qaeda operative and 
self-confessed mastermind of the September 11 attacks, claimed to 
have lied under torture by the CIA, according to government 
transcripts released on Monday in Washington." 
 
"World Has Fought Only Symptoms, Not Disease, In Afghanistan: 
Zardari" "Daily Times" (06/17) 
 
"The international community has been fighting the symptoms of 
terrorism in Afghanistan for eight years, but has ignored the 
disease, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday.  Addressing the 
ninth Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, he said 
Pakistan needed help to evolve a security mechanism to meet the 
threats of terrorism, narcotics and organized crime." 
 
"Ahmedzai Wazirs Scramble To Keep Their Areas Safe" "Daily Times" 
(06/17) 
 
"Ahmedzai Wazir tribes are making last-ditch efforts in a bid to 
keep a military offensive against Baitullah Mehsud in South 
Waziristan off their areas, amid shelling in the region, as the 
Taliban dig tunnels in mountains for protection against bombing, 
said elders and locals on Tuesday." 
 
"Key Taliban Commander Arrested" "The Nation" (06/17) 
 
"The security agencies arrested Anwarul Haq Mujahid, a prominent 
Afghan Commander and close associate of former Jihadi leader Maulvi 
Younis Khalis, along with four companions from Gul Bahar area of 
Peshawar, reliable sources disclosed on Tuesday." 
 
"TTP Threatens More Attacks On Prominent Clerics" "Daily Times" 
(06/17) 
 
"The Ministry of Interior has advised the home departments of all 
four provinces to tighten security after the Tehreek-e-Taliban 
Pakistan (TTP) threatened more suicide attacks on prominent 
religious leaders.  'Now it is your turn-we have sent a jacketwala 
(a man with a suicide vest) to mend clerics like you.  We will also 
send jacketwalas to other clerics too,' sources told 'Aaj Kal' 
quoting a threatening letter addressed to a cleric." 
 
"Pakistan Faces Hardened Taliban Foe In Tribal Belt" "Daily Times" 
(06/17) 
 
"The Pakistan Army will face huge hurdles in its push to crush the 
Taliban in the Tribal Areas, where the Taliban are entrenched in a 
hostile terrain and slip easily across the Afghan frontier, analysts 
say.  To dislodge Taliban and Al Qaeda from their mountain 
sanctuaries, Pakistan must work with Afghan and U.S. militaries, 
experts have said, or risk the rebels evaporating into hideouts over 
the border.  Hasan Askari, a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins 
University, said taking on the Taliban in tribal zones where the 
government holds little sway will pose a much greater challenge than 
the Swat campaign." 
 
"UNHCR Releases 2008 Global Trends - Pakistan Hosting Largest Number 
Of Refugees" "Dawn" (06/17) 
 
"With about 1.8 million Afghans still in Pakistan, the country is 
host to the largest number of refugees in the world, says a new 
report of the UNHCR.  According to the report - '2008 Global Trends, 
released on Tuesday - the country hosted the largest number of 
refugees in relation to its economic capacity-733 refugees per one 
dollar GDP per capita." 
 
"Muslim Charities Affected By War On Terror: Report" "Dawn" (06/17) 
 
"The U.S.-led war against terrorism has adversely impacted the 
Muslim charities and affected the religious freedom of Muslim donors 
in the United States, says a new report by the American Civil 
Liberty Union said on Monday." 
 
"SCO States Discuss Reducing Reliance On U.S." "The News" (06/17) 
 
"Leaders of emerging world powers discussed reducing their reliance 
on the United States, as well as boosting security and trade at two 
summits on Tuesday hosted by Russia but excluding the West, a common 
thread running through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 
Summit in Yekaterinburg." 
 
"Seven Killed In Anti-Nejad Protest Rally" "The News" (06/17) 
 
"At least seven civilians were killed when a military post was 
attacked near a mass rally in Tehran protesting the re-election of 
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, state radio (Tehran) announced on 
Tuesday." 
 
"Climate Changes To Increase Tensions In South Asia" "Dawn" (06/17) 
 
"U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry has 
warned that climate changes in South Asia could further deteriorate 
relations between the region's two nuclear powers, India and 
Pakistan.  In a speech titled, 'Climate change and American foreign 
policy: security challenges, diplomatic opportunities,' Senator 
Kerry noted that 'nowhere is the nexus between today's threats and 
climate change more acute than in South Asia -- the home of Al Qaeda 
and the centre of our terrorist threat.'  He said that scientists 
were now warning that the Himalayan glaciers, which supply water to 
almost a billion people from China to Afghanistan, could disappear 
completely by 2035.  'Think about what this means: Water from the 
Himalayas flows through India into Pakistan. India's rivers are not 
only vital to its agriculture, but absolutely central to its 
religious practice,' the senator said." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Getting The Chief Assassin," an editorial in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (06/17) 
 
"A decisive battle is said to be in the making to eliminate 
Baitullah Mehsud and dismantle his network....  And that he is the 
man on the spot of the powers that are set about destabilizing 
Pakistan....  The truth is that in terms of dislocations and 
infrastructural damage the saga of Malakand operation is too 
dreadful to be revisited.  If the non-military interventions appear 
to be isolating Baitullah Mehsud and his coterie, it is indeed a 
welcome development." 
 
"Need To Deliver," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) 
 
"It appears that what began in Swat, Buner and Dir is being extended 
to Waziristan and other parts of the tribal belt. Baitullah Mehsud 
and his Taliban HQ are now in the crosshairs, or so it seems.  But 
this is no mean task and while the world realizes that Pakistan 
cannot go it alone in this fight, it has been slow to come to 
Islamabad's aid in combating both militancy and its socio-economic 
fallout....  The World Food Program is running out of food.  The new 
U.S. aid-to-Pakistan bill may still be months in the making.  The EU 
has failed us in our hour of need and the Muslim world more so. 
Pakistan needs logistical help in the physical fight against the 
Taliban.  At the same time, people displaced by war need to be 
looked after, and not just in the immediate term....  As the Foreign 
Minister said, Pakistan cannot afford to divert from other sectors 
the kind of money needed to fight militancy and rehabilitate its 
victims.  That could further harm the economy and make people 
poorer. And that may generate a new generation of militants." 
 
"Army Chief's Straight Talk And Responsibility Of Government," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/17) 
 
"Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that we don't need 
outsiders' advice for conducting the war against extremists.... 
Americans are not confined to recommendations; they are indulging in 
negative propaganda and increasing pressure on Pakistan in order to 
win the lost war in Afghanistan....  If Army Chief had addressed 
America in his speech then the government should also say that 
openly.  There is a need to satisfy the people vis-`-vis the 
military operation....  The government and the army should heed 
Saudi Arabian Ambassador Ali Awaz Al Aseeri advice that bullet is 
not the solution to extremism and to counter extremism we need to 
seek help of enlightened religious scholars." 
 
"Army Chief's Stand Against Terrorists And Responsibilities Of 
Nation," an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, 
often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (06/17) 
 
"Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani's speech has made it 
abundantly clear that stubbornness of militants and terrorists made 
in effective all the options other than use of force.  The use of 
force had become inevitable....  The Army Chief's speech also made 
it clear that all the religious and political forces should support 
the military operation....  In this connection, the Punjab 
Assembly's unanimous resolution in support of the military operation 
is an encouraging step." 
 
"Continue Dialogue Process Along With Use Of Force," an editorial in 
the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (06/17) 
 
"Although the Army Chief's flight in the F-16 was symbolic, it 
raised the troops' morale and sent a message to the terrorists that 
the troops are steadfast in their fight against terrorism.  This act 
also put an end to western media propaganda that Pakistan is 
fighting this war half-heartedly....  The Army Chief is right when 
he says that the operation was necessary....  However, we also need 
to pay attention to the Army Chief's statement that force is not the 
solution to every issue.  [Keeping this in mind] the dialogue 
process should continue simultaneously so that there is a permanent 
solution to the problem [of terrorism]." 
 
"Operation Rah-i-Rast," an editorial in Lahore-based populist Urdu 
daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (06/17) 
 
"By physically participating in Operation Rah-i-Rast and saying that 
we do not need foreign advice, the Army Chief has demonstrated an 
important point: that we need to safeguard our independence and 
sovereignty at all fronts." 
 
"Military Operation: Punjab Assembly's Resolution," an editorial in 
the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (06/17) 
 
"All big and small political parties representing the people 
including the two major ones have given their verdict in favor of 
the military operation....  No doubt that dialogue for peace is the 
only route to conciliation, but Taliban don't believe in people's 
power, they describe democracy as infidelity....  We understand 
religious parties and leaders are duty bound to stop bloodshed among 
Muslims, why don't they move forward to make the Taliban lay down 
their arms and facilitate indirect talks between the government and 
Taliban." 
 
"War On Terror Is Not Just Pakistan's Responsibility," an editorial 
in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/17) 
 
"According to the Finance Advisor, Pakistan is facing an annual loss 
of $8.5 billion in the war on terror; and the U.S. is not 
compensating us according to our expectations. Keeping this 
situation in mind, it is the responsibility of the U.S. and other 
allies frightened at the increasing terrorist incidents to stop 
making suggestions to Pakistan and step forward with practical 
measures to get it out of this financial crisis....  The U.S. should 
meet the costs being incurred in the war on terror, if this is not 
done, America will be responsible for the consequences." 
 
"Terrorism: Pakistan Seeks World's Help," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (06/17) 
 
"As the operation is being extended to Waziristan and some other 
areas, there are apprehensions that the number of IDPs could cross 
the figure of five hundred thousand whose relief and rehabilitation 
would become a major problem for a long time to come.  If no 
adequate measures were adopted to take care of the IDPs, then the 
frustration could foment the trouble further.  Apart from this, 
there are also issues like training, arming and funding of 
terrorists and the world will have to extend sincere cooperation in 
cutting supplies to terrorists.  In this backdrop, the international 
community must respond quickly to the repeated appeals for 
assistance being made by Pakistani leaders, as time is of great 
essence." 
 
"Tribesmen on Their Own," an op-ed by Syed Irfan Ashraf in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (06/17) 
"As a tribal elder pointed out, before shifting his family to 
safety, 'The more people get displaced, the more the militants will 
be strengthened.'  This saga is indicative of the fact that an 
indifferent official response only bolsters rogue elements.  After 
the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, it took militants almost seven 
years to establish their network in Pakistan's northwest.  Almost 
every militant commander launched his own FM radio station in order 
to carve out his terror fiefdom.  However, such developments went 
unnoticed by the powers that be." 
 
"Reflecting The Overindulged Mindset," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari 
in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (06/17) 
 
"Now that the state has declared its intent of taking out the TTP 
leadership, specifically Baitullah Mehsud, a more discriminatory and 
targeted strategy for FATA relying on more effective human 
intelligence and local tribal support would not only be more 
effective in the long run but would have more sustainability and 
less negative fallout in terms of civilian casualties and material 
destruction - all of which have their own long-term debilitating 
impact.  Already we are seeing the spread of terrorism across the 
country with an increasing intensity as well....  Meanwhile, as to 
the puzzling question of why Baitullah Mehsud has survived for as 
long as he has, could it be old U.S. links, especially through his 
spokesman Muslim Khan, who spent eight years in the U.S. and still 
has relatives there?  And is there now a deliberate attempt to fan 
sectarian violence and intra-Muslim hatred within Pakistan through 
brutal acts of terrorism and threats to Shia Imambargahs across the 
country at the behest of Baitullah Mehsud and his followers - 
similar to what the U.S. did in Iraq?  There are strange linkages 
between our militants, criminal elements and our external detractors 
who seek to spread instability across the country." 
 
"COIN For Dummies," an op-ed by Lt. Gen. (R) Asad Durrani in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (06/17) 
 
"Moaning and groaning over the root-causes of the insurgency again 
would be in vain. Root-causes are embedded in history that cannot be 
rolled back. Those who created the Mujahideen rolled back a 
superpower, which became history.  Their successors, the Taliban, 
are in the process of doing the same to its opposite number.  We 
have to take care of their sidekick, the 'Pakistani Taliban.'  Now 
that we have decided to fight this war, we should not make any 
excuses.  That 'our army is not trained for an unconventional war', 
is a pretty lame one.  All armies are trained in conventional 
warfare and then adapt to the task at hand.  No one trains for COIN 
and then awaits an insurgency.  And for God's sake do not threaten 
the world that if it did not come to our rescue we would go down the 
tube and take it along.  It is dangerous to put a gun on our head, 
especially if it fired nuclear shots.  What if we were dared to pull 
the trigger?  Invoking external help to fight an internal war in any 
case was never a good idea.  Incidentally, the U.S. has neither the 
sway nor the intent to arm-twist India to resolve Kashmir.  So, do 
not hold your breath on that account.  Having shed all the extra 
baggage that was holding us back, we should now get on with the war, 
which would indeed involve a bit of maneuvering and some battling. 
The maneuvering first." 
 
"The 'Grey' Prisoner," an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) 
 
"What is undoubted is that she (Dr. Aafia Siddiqui) and her three 
children have been the victims of terrible abuse.  No one deserves 
what they have been through; one child is in fact dead.  Our 
government must therefore do all it can to ensure the FIA does 
indeed get access to Dr. Siddiqui. This could help uncover some of 
what happened. It may also lead to clues about terrorism in the 
country, about why she is regarded as a dangerous suspect by the 
U.S. and what can be done to prevent such cases taking place 
again." 
 
"Iran After Elections," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing 
pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (06/17) 
 
"Unexpectedly, riots have erupted in neighboring country Iran after 
the presidential elections.  A vote recount has been ordered by the 
Guardian Council, however, we must remember that any disturbance in 
Iran can make happy only the West, Israel and America.  Americans 
E 
should not be given opportunities to intervene into Iran's internal 
matters." 
 
"Violent Protests In Iran," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) 
(06/17) 
 
"America and its allies will be happy if the protest movement 
against the election results moves forward, for this will be a plus 
point for their objectives to sabotage Muslim unity. 
President-election Ahmedinejad should also play a positive role in 
this respect and purge his election of any dispute." 
 
"Trouble In Tehran," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) 
 
"He (Ahmadinejad) still wields significant power within Iran's 
set-up - and like many others seems to realize that while 
Ahmadinejad's ability to drive Washington to frenzy through his 
unguarded attacks on its policy may in some ways be pleasing, they 
are unproductive in that they fail to move towards any solution of 
key issues.  Many Iranians recognize this.  Most citizens seek an 
end to international isolation and a chance to play a part in the 
intricate politics of their region.  U.S. President Barack Obama's 
softer stance towards the country has encouraged this line of 
thinking.  Iranians seek a new order of things, a more positive 
relationship with the world and perhaps also greater cooperation 
with the U.S." 
 
"Needing Restraint," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/17) 
 
"The scenario somehow indicates that the Iranian people believe that 
the country lacks some of the basic ingredients of democracy despite 
holding regular, periodic elections.  The demonstrations could be 
viewed as representing the aspirations of the Iranian people for 
greater freedom of expression and for the power of the clerics to be 
curtailed." 
 
"Ahmadinejad's Re-Election," an op-ed by Mazhar Qayyum Khan in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(06/17) 
 
"His victory makes the issues clear, as under him the Iranian stand 
on uranium enrichment, perception of Israel and ties with Hezbollah 
and Hamas have been quite well known and there is little likelihood 
of a shift.  Thus with Ahmadinejad as President, the U.S. and the 
West would be able to move quickly from the present stage, 
tightening sanctions or taking whatever other action they deemed 
necessary if, as expected, Iran sticks to its present stand....  The 
U.S. and Western allies thought that Mirhossein Mousavi or, for that 
matter, another moderate leader could be brought round to roll back 
the uranium enrichment program through a negotiated deal, under 
pressure of sanctions or under threats of military action, they 
simply failed to realize that the national sentiment would not 
permit it." 
 
"Dialogue With India: Old Or New?," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/17) 
 
"The new dialogue should be about sorting out the consequences of 
past hostility, of policies that did not succeed but were insisted 
upon as a kind of national emblem of pride.  It is only through a 
new dialogue that India and Pakistan can take care of the allegation 
they level at each other of 'interference.'...  The old dialogue is 
not there to resume.  New conditions dictate a new dialogue.  Once 
assurances of non-interference are exchanged and mutual fear of 
military attack is removed, the 'non-core issues' will be ready to 
resolve, and Pakistan and India will be ready to talk sensibly about 
such more important issues as waters.  The 'core issue,' as 
Pakistan's policy on Kashmir spells out, can be resolved only 
through peaceful means." 
 
"Zardari-Manmohan Meeting," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (06/17) 
 
"One welcome outcome from the meeting is that the leaders have 
agreed that the foreign secretaries of both the countries will meet 
soon for restarting the comprehensive composite dialogue between the 
two countries....  Peace is not just an ideal; it is also a 
long-term realism. Peace and cooperation between both great South 
Asian nations can guarantee prosperity and development on either 
side of the international frontiers.  Forums like SCO offer the 
much-needed platform for the two countries to clear the atmosphere 
of mistrust and come up with solutions for the benefit of people of 
the whole region." 
 
"Talks With India At What Cost?," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (06/17) 
 
"This is regrettable that while India stubbornly sticks to Kashmir 
being its integral part stand and pushing us towards death by 
building 62 dams in violation of Indus Treaty, our rulers are 
feverish for dialogue and trade with India....  Our rulers should 
never demonstrate any flexibility on Pakistan's principled stand on 
Kashmir." 
 
"What Fruit Will The Zardari-Manmohan Handshake Bear?," an op-ed by 
Tanweer Qaiser Shahid in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) 
(06/17) 
 
"Another important development took place on June 13 [besides the 
meeting between Rehman Malik and the Indian High Commissioner in 
Islamabad].  The federal government, apparently, has finally allowed 
the Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad to use regular number 
plates on their vehicles instead of the red diplomatic ones.  Such 
permission has already been given to diplomats from other countries 
but was being denied to India....  Circles in Islamabad feel that 
one reason for giving the permission now was that Pakistan wanted 
the Zardari-Manmohan handshake to be a success at all costs so that 
hearts and doors could be unlocked." 
 
"Where Are You Heading?," an op-ed by Irfan Asghar in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(06/17) 
 
"Mr. Obama, you had taken on the mantle of the President of the 
United States amid much fanfare and a lot of hopes of change.... 
Mr. President, I ask you to identify the roadmap to accomplish what 
you have said.  And even if you have the roadmap, pro-Israel lobby 
and anti-Muslim machinery will make it increasingly difficult for 
you to put that into effect....  Mr. President, act independently 
and do not give authority to other lobbies to take your decisions. 
At this time, the only way-out is to go for 'out of the box' 
solutions and offbeat approach. Please brush aside all sorts of 
fears and work to materialize your dreams as it is heaps better to 
agree to the fate like that of Kennedy than to go down in the 
chronicles of history as a feckless and mediocre President." 
 
"Obama's Cairo Address," an op-ed by Mushfiq Murshed in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(06/17) 
 
"Obama has attempted to rectify the distortions in the policies 
pursued by the previous administration and has laid the basis of a 
more imaginative and constructive foreign policy.  However, some 
commentators have described the address as reminiscent of Wilsonian 
idealism and maintain that the road ahead in the way of 
implementation is strewn with problems and pitfalls.  The president 
has set an extremely high benchmark for himself." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson