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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001409 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 26, 2009 
 
Summary:  U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones' Pakistan visit 
continued to garner extensive media coverage on Friday.  Almost all 
major newspapers highlighted General Jones' meeting with senior 
Pakistani leaders and his remarks that the military "operation 
created goodwill for Pakistan in the U.S."  Alongside the story, all 
newspapers also reported that President Zardari "renewed" demand for 
drone technology and PM Gilani "sought" U.S. help in resolving 
issues with India.  Reports of approval of "Kerry-Lugar Bill" by the 
U.S. Senate tripling U.S. non-military aid to Pakistan, and that 
"President Obama signed into law a $106 billion supplemental bill 
making available $1.4 billion in economic and security aid for 
Pakistan" received prominent display.  All newspapers highlighted 
reports that Army Chief General Kayani visited South Waziristan and 
directed troops "to go for precision strikes and avoid collateral 
damage even if they had to take risks." 
 
Most major English language dailies ran editorials on a host of 
subjects including ongoing military offensive, court-martial of 57 
Pakistan Air Force personnel on their alleged links with terrorists. 
However, the Urdu language newspapers focused on the drone strikes. 
The second-largest, Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," advocated that "if 
America does not stop the attacks, then Pakistan should defend its 
sovereignty and shoot down a drone to convey the right message to 
America."   Likewise, the Lahore-based populist Urdu daily 
"Khabrain" wrote: "it is now time for Pakistan to adopt a clear 
stance on the drone strikes: that these attacks are unacceptable and 
that Pakistan will give a befitting response for any further 
interference."  The liberal Urdu daily "Express," also maintained 
that "there is no justification for these strikes now that the 
Pakistan Army is fighting with full force against these enemies at 
more than one front."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Operation Created Goodwill For Pakistan In U.S.: Jones" "Dawn" 
(06/26) 
 
"US National Security Adviser Gen. (Retd) James L. Jones exchanged 
views with the Pakistani civilian and military leadership on 
Thursday on operational details and timing of the intensified 
counter-insurgency operation in Afghanistan and its synchronization 
with the military offensive against extremists in Pakistan.  'Gen. 
Jones' visit was for discussing current challenges confronting 
Pakistan and coordinating efforts with the Pakistan government in 
implementing the new shared comprehensive strategy,' said a 
statement issued by the U.S. Embassy on the conclusion of his 
two-day visit during which he met President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime 
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez 
Kayani and other government officials....  Apart from Washington's 
keenness to engage with Islamabad, sources said, Gen. Jones' visit 
bore all marks of a 'micro-management model' which hitherto was 
missing from the relationship between the two allies.  The top U.S. 
security official praised Pakistan's military operation against 
militants as 'tremendous confidence-builder for the future.'  He 
indicated that Pakistan's renewed resolve against militancy infused 
great optimism in Washington about the success of the fight against 
militancy.  He said the action had generated goodwill for Pakistan 
in the U.S., adding that terrorism was a shared threat." 
 
"Zardari Renews Demand For Drone Technology: Gilani Seeks Us Help In 
Resolving Issues With India: "Daily Times" (06/26) 
 
"Pakistan urged the U.S. and the rest of the world on Thursday to 
facilitate the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and water issues 
between New Delhi and Islamabad, and called on America to provide 
drone technology.  The resolution of issues between India and 
Pakistan would 'help us focus on fighting extremism and terrorism on 
the western border,' said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at a 
meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser General (R) James Jones. 
 Gilani also "called for stopping drone attacks ... to ensure 
success of Pakistan's strategy", said a statement.  The U.S. 
official assured Gilani that his government would do everything 
possible for the resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue.  The appeal for 
the U.S. to provide Pakistan drone technology came at a separate 
meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and General Jones.  A 
U.S. Embassy spokesman said Jones had completed two days of 
scheduled meetings with the Pakistani leadership." 
"U.S. Vows Support For Indo-Pak Talks" "Daily Times" (06/26) 
 
"U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robert Blake vowed 
on Thursday the U.S. will continue to back Pakistan-India dialogue 
to promote regional stability.  The timing, scope, and content of 
any such dialogue are strictly matters for Pakistani and Indian 
leaders to decide, he said." 
 
"Resumption Of Dialogue Not A Favor, Pakistan Tells India" "Dawn" 
(06/26) 
 
"Pakistan has plainly told India that resumption of dialogue is not 
a favor by one country to the other, but is in the interest of both 
the countries.  'The composite dialogue is in our mutual interest. 
It is also unavoidable should we want viable peace and stability in 
the region,' Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly 
media briefing on Thursday." 
 
"U.S. Senate Approves Bill To Triple Aid" "Dawn" (06/26) 
 
"The Senate on Wednesday approved tripling U.S. aid to Pakistan to 
about $1.5 billion a year for each of the next five years, part of 
an American plan to fight extremism with economic development. 
The $1.5 billion in annual funding includes money for Pakistani 
schools, the judicial system, and parliament and law enforcement 
agencies.  'This legislation marks an important step toward 
sustained economic and political cooperation with Pakistan,' said 
Senator Richard Lugar, the senior Republican on the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee." 
 
"Obama Signs Into Law Aid Bill For Pakistan" "The News" (06/26) 
 
"President Barack Obama signed into law a huge $106 billion war 
supplemental bill on Wednesday, making available $1.4 billion in 
economic and security aid for Pakistan as the country grapples 
simultaneously with economic and military challenges in the 
high-stake region for U.S. interests." 
 
"New White House Aide For Region" "Dawn" (06/26) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday appointed Dennis Ross, a 
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the 
Central Region with overall responsibility to look after 
Afghan-Pakistan affairs at the White House." 
 
"Troops Told To Avoid Civilian Deaths: COAS" "Dawn" (06/26) 
 
"Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited 
South Waziristan on Thursday and spent the day interacting with the 
Field Commanders and troops.  The visit indicated that the stage was 
set for a full-scale operation against Baitullah Mehsud and his 
group.  Gen. Kayani urged local tribes to support the government and 
the armed forces in their campaign to isolate and eliminate 
terrorists.  He said the security forces had been asked to go for 
precision strikes and avoid collateral damage even if they had to 
take risks.  Military sources said troops and equipment had been 
positioned and more troops were available in reserve." 
 
"Baitullah To Be Killed, Says Rehman Malik" "The News" (06/26) 
 
"Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Thursday that 
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Supreme Commander Baitullah Mahsud 
would be killed whenever and wherever the security forces found him. 
 Talking to a private TV channel, he said Baitullah Mahsud would be 
killed even if he tried to flee to Afghanistan." 
 
"Forces Dismantle Militant Sanctuaries In Mingora" "The News" 
(06/26) 
 
"Security forces on Thursday continued search and sweep operation, 
demolishing two hotels in Mingora and a Hujra and a house in 
Makanbagh area on suspicions that it was being used as sanctuaries 
by the militants, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said." 
 
"Fazlullah's Deputy 'Killed' In Swat" "The News" (06/26) 
 
"Shah Doran, the deputy to Taliban Chief in Swat Maulana Fazlullah, 
has been killed Geo TV reported on Thursday.  The TV channel said 
the killing of Shah Doran had been confirmed by government 
sources." 
 
"Qari Hussain Is Alive, Claim Taliban" "Dawn" (06/26) 
 
"The outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has denied reports 
about the death of Qari Hussain, one of its key leaders, in a 
missile attack.  TTP spokesman Mufti Waliur Rehman said on Tuesday 
that reports about the death of Qari Hussain in the U.S. missile 
strike on a funeral procession of another Taliban leader in South 
Waziristan were not correct.  Qari Hussain is considered to be the 
deputy of Baitullah Mahsud and a trainer of suicide bombers." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Pakistani Rulers Should Either Get The Drone Strikes Stopped Or 
Shoot Them Down," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/26) 
 
"About 80 people were killed in the drone strikes the other day, of 
which only 4 or 5 belonged to extremist groups while the rest were 
innocent citizens....  In the past, Pakistan officials and American 
scholars had recognized that every drone attack created more suicide 
bombers and undermined government's effort to eliminate 
terrorism....  Even Holbrooke recognizes the sensitivity of the 
people vis-`-vis drone attacks....  The American administration 
should stop the drone attacks in consideration of Pakistan's 
protest.  However, if America does not stop the attacks then 
Pakistan should defend its sovereignty and shoot down a drone to 
convey the right message to America." 
 
"Drone Attacks: Pakistan Should Adopt A Strong Stance," an editorial 
in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" 
(cir. 50,000) (06/26) 
 
"If the U.S. has information about terrorists' presence, it should 
be shared with Pakistan. Pakistan can act better on this 
information. However, it is now time for Pakistan to adopt a clear 
stance on the drone strikes: that these attacks are unacceptable and 
that Pakistan will give a befitting response for any further 
interference." 
 
"War On Terror Is Historic," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/26) 
 
"There was some justification for drone attacks when our previous 
government was not serious in its efforts against extremists. 
However, there is no justification for these strikes now that the 
Pakistan Army is fighting with full force against these enemies at 
more than one front. The martyrdom of our officers and soldiers is 
proof that this march will not stop until the operation is 
completed....  The Pakistan Army needs to hold its flag high as it 
marches on victoriously in this war, and needs to make this a final 
and memorable war against terrorists and extremists." 
 
"The Demand To Stop Drones Strikes And Its Reality," an editorial in 
the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (06/26) 
 
"We feel that American officials are correct when they say that not 
only have Pakistani officials --in private meetings with U.S. 
officials - never demanded a halt to the drone strikes, but may also 
have acknowledged their (strikes) efficacy.  This seems true as our 
officials' statements reveal that such remarks are made only to fool 
the nation. The question now is: why would drone attacks stop if our 
rulers have actually not demanded that they be stopped?" 
 
"A Difficult Road Ahead," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(06/26) 
 
"Dislodging the Baitullah Mehsud network in South Waziristan may 
lead to militants fleeing across the border to the Afghan provinces 
of Paktika, Khost and Paktia.  Meanwhile, the impending American 
push against militants operating in southern Afghanistan, 
particularly in the province of Helmand, may cause militants to flee 
towards Pakistan.  On the Afghan and Pakistan sides, then, a double 
whammy of militancy may be looming....  If there has ever been an 
occasion for the three main parties, Pakistan, the U.S. and 
Afghanistan, to cooperate to the fullest extent possible this is it, 
and it should not be squandered." 
 
"The Enemy Within?," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/26) 
 
"The existence of the enemy within the ranks of those intended to 
protect us against militants poses to all of us a very real threat. 
The fact that they exist is a consequence too of past policies 
during which 'Jihad' was promoted actively as a cause worth dying 
for.  In some materials circulated among the armed forces this line 
remains unchanged.  The policy in this respect needs to be reviewed. 
 If we are to build a safer country, we need to rid ourselves of the 
extremism that has crept in and stolen large chunks of our country 
away....  There is a possibility that adherents to it watch and wait 
elsewhere too.  They need to be weeded out.  While the suggestion 
that militants could seize nuclear assets is in many ways absurd, 
the reality is that some may indeed be based in powerful places. 
They must be removed if our country is to be made a safe place for 
all of us to live in." 
 
"Air Force Scandal Should Be An Eye-Opener," an editorial in 
Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi daily "Ibrat" (Cir. 
80,000) (06/26) 
 
"The report of some Pakistani Air Force personnel's links with 
terrorists and extremists is a very sensitive issue, and it shows us 
that since General Zia era, the extremists had made inroads in 
sensitive agencies and they remained successful in maintaining their 
contacts for a long period of time, however time is now changed." 
 
"Why the 'Friends' Don't Help Pakistan," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (06/26) 
 
"In a Washington statement the U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and 
Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, said on Wednesday that he was struck 
by the fact that the U.S. was the only major contributor to aid to 
help Pakistan overcome its crisis of the internally displaced 
persons (IDPs).  He specially mentioned Saudi Arabia, the UAE and 
Qatar in this regard and said that the U.S. government had appealed 
to them to do their bit too....  Some quarters see negative Arab 
reaction to the finalization of the gas deal between Iran and 
Pakistan. Unfortunately President Ahmadinejad has not only 
threatened Israel but also indirectly caused fear among the Arab 
regimes of Iranian hegemony in the region.  Whatever the reason, the 
turning away of our Arab friends at this crucial juncture is 
something that should grieve us." 
 
"Do Burqas Threaten Western Culture Or Is This A Conspiracy To Erase 
Islamic Identity?," an editorial in the popular rightist 
Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (06/26) 
 
"If according to the French President, the burqa is a symbol of 
slavery, not Islam, what are his views on  the nuns' veil and the 
Jewish skull -cap?...  In Islamic countries, there is no hurdle for 
people of other faith in how they practice their religion or what 
they wear.  Aren't such limitations and prohibitions by western 
countries generating extremism and religious prejudice?  The fact is 
that it is not just France, but the entire west that is working on 
different levels to obliterate Muslims' identity." 
 
"What Are Our Soldiers Dying For?," an op-ed Ayaz Amir in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (06/26) 
 
"If the present fight against the Taliban leads to a new Pakistan, 
it is worth fighting and winning.  But if our ways don't change, if 
our ruling elites remain as corrupt and self-centered as they have 
always been, then doubts will arise whether the blood being shed was 
worth anything.  The Taliban are a threat to our way of life.  But 
the Taliban, it bears remembering, were the product of our folly.... 
 American folly and narrow self-interest was also an ingredient in 
this witches' brew.  But there was no divine command that we had to 
follow American orders.  That we did ourselves, our ruling generals 
from Zia to Musharraf - all too willing instruments of American 
policy.  No one forced Zia to become an American surrogate.  No one 
compelled Musharraf to become an American puppet.  They followed 
this path out of pure self-interest.  Blaming the U.S. for all our 
ills has become a national industry.  We must look more closely at 
our own doings.  Yes, the Americans will do what they perceive to be 
in their self-interest.  But what stops us from looking out for 
ourselves?  So unless the nation goes through a process of 
re-education, unless the military mind purges itself of the follies 
embraced in the name of 'Jihad,' Pakistan's soul will remain 
troubled and the fight against the Taliban will remain unfinished 
business." 
 
"What Are We Up Against?," an op-ed by Ayesha Siddiqa in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (06/26) 
 
"Those who stress the 'fight against a foreign occupying force' 
theory forget two things.  First, the Afghan Taliban might be 
fighting the U.S. but do not necessarily represent a force of 
resistance to foreign occupation....  So, the Taliban fighting in 
Afghanistan and their partners in Pakistan are the ones who have a 
taste for expansion.  Second, invasion as a concept is not foreign 
to the region....  But what we are witnessing at the moment is an 
internal expansion which is aimed outwards on the basis of ideology. 
 
So, the Taliban as a group are not just about resistance.  They also 
represent a regional expansionist force which makes them different 
from other insurgents.  Unless we begin explaining this to the 
people, instead of using terms borrowed from abroad, we might never 
be able to win the battle for hearts and mind that is necessary to 
make gains in the military conflict." 
 
"Sovereignty At Stake," an op-ed by Dr. Farooq Hassan in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(06/26) 
 
"The continued touting of the now worn-out mantra, which is really 
embarrassing for any sovereign state, particularly one of a nuclear 
capacity, that seeks and accepts getting more and more money, 
presumably for the country, for fighting this current war against 
terrorism.  Many in Pakistan are now alarmed that it has effectively 
become a mercenary establishment.  Whether or not this war is of 
Pakistan's choice or in its long-term interests or is it simply the 
inability of the current leadership of Islamabad to speak up to the 
powers that may be external or internal.  This last point is really 
reaching scandalous proportions when one sees the articulations of 
several key members of the U.S. Congress; it is maintained by 
leading Congressional members, particularly of the Republican Party 
that it is naive for Washington to hand-over a billion plus dollars 
to the incumbent Pakistani government." 
 
"Strong Case For Nuclear Autarky," an editorial in the country's 
premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) 
(06/26) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has asked the United States to 
help Pakistan develop its civilian nuclear technology....  Gilani is 
correct in concluding that Pakistan needs to fill its yawning 
electricity production-consumption gap by making peaceful use of 
nuclear technology.  But he may not be right in asking the United 
States to come forward and help Pakistan develop its civilian 
nuclear potential.  The response the Pakistani protest received, to 
Washington's nuclear assistance to India, should make us believe 
that this chapter is closed at least for now....  That however, does 
not mean that all doors are shut on Pakistan; China is there.... 
The dream to increase nuclear power generation capacity to 8800 MW 
by 2030, with an increasing share of indigenization, is realizable, 
provided civilian nuclear co-operation with China is further 
institutionalized and put on stronger footing." 
 
"How Does Muslim World See Obama's Speech?," an op-ed by Zahida Hina 
in Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi Daily "Ibrat" 
(cir. 80,000) (06/26) 
 
"President Obama's speech gives hope to Muslim world that in even in 
these hard times dialogue can take place.  America, which is a 
country if immigrants, for sake of its own unity have relied on 
creating powerful mighty enemies, first Japan, then Communist 
Russia, which was later replaced with Muslim World. But no doubt the 
speech was a fundamental change in American policy towards the 
Muslim world after the 9/11 incidents." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson