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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001688 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 24, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports on local political developments dominated 
headlines in all newspapers on Friday.  Newspapers ran reports that 
Secretary Clinton "hailed Pakistan's 'courageous' progress against 
Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists" after holding talks with her 
Pakistani counterpart Qureshi on the sidelines of ASEAN security 
moot in Phuket, Thailand.  U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke's Pakistan 
visit continued to garner extensive media coverage.  Some major 
newspapers highlighted his statement that the "U.S. paid 
insufficient attention to Baitullah Mehsud until very recently." 
Reports and photographs of Ambassador Patterson's meeting with Prime 
Minister Gilani also received prominent display.  Several dailies 
also reported that "one of Usama's sons 'may be dead'."  At the same 
time, a statement by some Taliban commanders denying the reports of 
the death of Saad bin Laden also received prominent coverage. 
Newspapers also quoted U.S. Commander Admiral Mullen's saying that 
the "top leadership of Al Qaeda, including Usama, was in Pakistan." 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on local themes including 
summoning of former President Musharraf by the Supreme Court. 
However, several dailies editorialized Mr. Holbrooke's visit to 
Pakistan.  Commenting on his advice to Pakistan to move its troops 
to Afghan border, the second-largest, Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," 
called it "America's animosity in the garb of friendship."  The 
prestigious English daily, "Dawn," observed that the "American 
strikes have come in the way of Pakistan taking ownership of the 
battle in the tribal belt, and given fresh ammunition to elements 
whose political agenda is more or less limited to stoking anti-U.S. 
sentiment."  The populist, often sensational national English daily 
"The News," noted that "six months of Obama is not going to cancel 
out eight years of Bush, but at least a credible effort is nowadays 
being made by the U.S. to engage in dialogue with us rather than 
shout at us from the sidelines."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Clinton Lauds Pakistan's 'Courage' In Terror War" "Dawn" (07/24) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Pakistan's 
'courageous' progress against Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists after 
holding talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Phuket 
on Thursday.  Ms. Clinton, who met the foreign minister on the 
sidelines of a major Asian security forum, also said Pakistan had 
made 'impressive' progress in dealing with nearly two million people 
displaced by battles against the Taliban." 
 
"Holbrooke Calls Baitullah Most Dangerous, Odious: U.S. Paid 
Insufficient Attention To Mehsud" "Daily Times" (07/24) 
 
"U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke on Thursday branded Baitullah 
Mehsud one of the most 'odious and dangerous people' in the region, 
and said although the U.S. had been slow in recognizing his 
importance, the TTP Chief's elimination was 'without a doubt' of 
strategic importance to Washington, Holbrooke told journalists 
before leaving for Afghanistan at the end of two days of talks with 
the Pakistani leadership." 
 
"Holbrooke Visit To Jalozai Camp Cancelled" "The Nation" (07/24) 
 
"The scheduled visit of the U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan Richard 
Holbrooke to IDPs Jalozai Camp was cancelled at the last moment. 
The authorities concerned were unaware of the visit's cancellation, 
but it is believed that the visit was cancelled due to security 
reasons." 
 
"Drone Issue Discussed With Holbrooke: FO" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"Replying to a question about visit of U.S. Special Envoy Richard 
Holbrooke, the Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said the issue 
of drone attacks also came up for discussion during his meetings 
with Pakistani leadership and Pakistan has conveyed its concern 
regarding these attacks telling him that these were 
counter-productive.  He said the issues of regional stability and 
rehabilitation of the IDPs were also discussed." 
 
"Gilani Tells U.S. To Stop Drone Attacks" "Daily Times" (07/24) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has again asked the United States 
to stop drone attacks and respect Pakistan's sovereignty.  Talking 
to U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, who called on him at the PM's 
Secretariat on Thursday, Gilani said the people of the Tribal Areas 
were extremely upset over the attacks." 
 
"U.S. Keen To Avoid Past Mistake: Holbrooke" "Dawn" (07/24) 
 
"The United States is working to avoid mistakes that allowed 
vanquished Taliban in Afghanistan to escape into Pakistan and 
mastermind a deadly insurgency, the regional envoy said on Thursday. 
 'We'll continue to come back very regularly to improve 
coordination.  That was not (the case) in 2002 and that was grievous 
mistake,' Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for 
Afghanistan and Pakistan, told reporters." 
 
"Inside Account Of Zardari-Holbrooke Dinner Meeting" "The News" 
(07/24) 
 
"Changing Pakistani mindset from security to development is perhaps 
the biggest challenge and it could not be done without settling the 
issues with our neighbors which require not only a new sincere 
approach by all concerned parties but also strong international 
support, said President Asif Ali Zardari in a dinner meeting with 
President Obama's Special Representative for Pakistan and 
Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke in the Presidency on Wednesday 
night." 
 
"Usama's Son May Have Been Killed: U.S. Official" "The News" 
(07/24) 
 
"One of Osama bin Laden's sons 'may be dead,' a U.S. 
counterterrorism official told AFP on Thursday, after reports he was 
likely killed by a U.S. missile strike in Pakistan earlier this 
year." 
 
"Taliban Deny Usama Son's Death In Drone Strike" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"Senior Afghan Taliban and Punjabi militant commanders, having close 
association with Arabs, have denied the reports of death of Saad bin 
Laden, son of Al Qaeda Chief Usama bin Laden in airstrikes by the 
CIA-operated spy planes in the tribal areas along the 
Pakistan-Afghanistan border." 
 
"Usama Still In Pakistan: Mullen" "Daily Times" (07/24) 
 
"U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen on 
Thursday said he believed the top leadership of Al Qaeda, including 
Usama Bin Laden, was in Pakistan, while talking to Al Jazeera TV." 
 
"U.S. Defence Secretary Calls On CJCSC" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asia Pacific Security 
Wallace Gregson, on Thursday, highly acclaimed the services and 
sacrifices of Pakistan Army terming it invaluable adding U.S. will 
keep on supporting Pakistan through thick and thin.  He expressed 
these views during his meeting the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff 
Committee Gen. Tariq Majid at Joint Staffs Headquarters on Thursday 
in Rawalpindi." 
 
"U.S. Survey Finds Decline In Support For Suicide Attacks In 
Pakistan" "Dawn" (07/24) 
 
"Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world where America's 
image has not improved much after President Barack Obama entered the 
White House in January this year.  The global attitude survey by the 
Washington-based Pew Research Centre released on Thursday.  The 
survey also discovered a dramatic decrease in support for suicide 
bombings in Pakistan." 
 
"Now's Not the Time To Talk Civil N-Pact: France" "The News" 
(07/24) 
 
"France and Pakistan will start technical level talks for the safety 
and security of the existing nuclear installations but no discussion 
is planned for enhancing cooperation in civil nuclear energy at this 
point of time, the visiting French Minister for Foreign Trade, Anne 
Marie, said." 
 
"1,700 Terrorist Killed In Operation Rah-e-Rast, Says Mukhtar" "The 
News" (07/24) 
"The Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said that so far 
1,700 terrorists had been killed in the operation Rah-e-Rast, while 
 talking to media men in Islamabad on Thursday. 
 
"Maulana Fazlullah Is Alive, Claim Taliban" "Dawn" (07/24) 
 
"The Taliban denied on Thursday claims that Maulana Fazlullah, the 
architect of a brutal uprising in Swat, had been wounded and 
threatened to renew its armed action.  'Taliban Chief Fazlullah is 
alive, healthy and has never been wounded,' his spokesman Muslim 
Khan told AFP on Thursday by telephone from an undisclosed 
location." 
 
"Eight More Militants Killed In Swat" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"Security forces claimed to have killed eight more militants and 
recovered a Prado used by the Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah 
during search operations in Mauja Kandao and Dadrah areas of Kabal 
Tehsil in Swat Valley on Thursday.  Also, two bodies of militants 
were found in Mingora city, a spokesman for the Swat Media Centre 
told reporters." 
 
"Soldier, 2 Militants Killed In Malakand Clash" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"A soldier and two militants were killed and another security man 
sustained injuries in an exchange of fire in Thana area of Malakand 
Agency on Thursday, sources said." 
 
"Two Commanders Among 30 Militants Arrested" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"The security forces arrested two militant commanders and destroyed 
two houses in Charmang Valley while political administration 
apprehended 28 suspected persons from different areas in Khan 
subdivision in Bajaur Agency on Thursday." 
 
"4 Militants Held In Darra Adamkhel" "The News" (07/24) 
 
"The security forces claimed to have arrested four militants and 
blow up an explosive-laden van in Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region 
(FR) Kohat on Thursday." 
 
"Official Kidnapped, Elder Shot Dead In Bajaur" "Dawn" (07/24) 
 
"Sources said that armed persons abducted Nimatullah Khan, the 
Coordinator of Governor Special Project, in the tribal region.  He 
was shifted to some unknown place.  No group has so far claimed 
responsibility for abduction of the official.  In another incident, 
unidentified assailants shot dead tribal elder Malak Zakir Khan in 
Chengazo area of the agency." 
 
"About 385,000 IDPs Have Returned: UN" "Dawn" (07/24) 
 
"Some 385,000 people displaced by offensive against the Taliban have 
returned home, but most of those made homeless by the conflict are 
sheltering outside camps, according to officials.  'According to the 
government, return continues at a significant pace,' UN humanitarian 
coordinator Wolfgang Herbinger told a news conference in Islamabad 
on Thursday. 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"America's Animosity In The Garb Friendship," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (07/24) 
 
"American president's Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke has stressed 
upon Pakistan to move its military from Indian border to tribal belt 
at Afghan border and Balochistan in order to widen the scope of the 
ongoing military operation....  Earlier on, U.S. Secretary of State 
Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Secretary Miliband have 
described India as Pakistan's friend....  This American and British 
policy is meant to weaken Pakistan and to make it convenient for 
India to gobble it up....  Duly helped by America, India is 
increasing its defense capabilities against us only.  In these 
circumstances, Holbrook's advice is tantamount to open enmity." 
 
"Folly Of Drone Attacks," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(07/24) 
 
"On a logistical level, the military operation in Malakand cannot be 
compared to the ongoing offensive in Waziristan....  The mood is 
different in the case of South Waziristan, partly because of 
America's relentless drone attacks in the region.  People across the 
country are now convinced that the battle in Malakand is Pakistan's 
own war but that level of support does not extend to operations in 
Waziristan.  The reason: continued American strikes which brazenly 
violate Pakistan's territorial sovereignty.  That fight is seen by 
many as America's war, primarily because of the death and 
destruction unleashed by U.S. drones....  American strikes have come 
in the way of Pakistan taking ownership of the battle in the tribal 
belt, and given fresh ammunition to elements whose political agenda 
is more or less limited to stoking anti-U.S. sentiment.... 
America's concern over cross-border infiltration by the Taliban is 
understandable.  But Washington too must realize that it is time to 
so empower Pakistan that it can do the job on its own." 
 
"Charm Offensive," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/24) 
 
"He (Mr. Holbrooke) understands that there is a deep well of anger 
and resentment towards the U.S. by many - perhaps most - of the 
people of Pakistan, and their animosity is in no small part a direct 
product of the eight years of the Bush presidency.  Six months of 
Obama is not going to cancel out eight years of Bush, but at least a 
credible effort is nowadays being made by the U.S. to engage in 
dialogue with us rather than shout at us from the sidelines....  We 
are moving into a different type of relationship with the U.S. 
Uncle Sam can wave the big stick, but he can also be attentive and 
avuncular and it is his interests that Pakistan does not slide into 
the darkness currently offered by the Taliban.  Keep coming Mr. 
Holbrooke, and keep listening - because if you don't listen you 
don't learn anything." 
 
"Exercise Restraint," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/24) 
 
"The apprehension expressed by the Pakistani leadership in a meeting 
with Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke that the latest American 
offensive launched in south of Afghanistan close to the Durand Line 
will push the militants into Balochistan and FATA ought to be taken 
seriously by the Obama administration....  Instead of trying to make 
things better, the U.S. could end up making the situation much more 
complex with Pakistan between a rock and a hard place....  On the 
contrary, the Special Envoy's, ton and tenor suggested U.S. 
indifference.  He urged Islamabad to extend its fight against 
militancy along the border with Afghanistan and Balochistan.  This 
will have disastrous consequences for Pakistan's security." 
 
"Prerequisites Of The War On Terror, And U.S. Measures," an 
editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (07/24) 
 
"We need a strategy whereby the Taliban in Afghanistan are 
eliminated just as they have been uprooted in Pakistan.  For this to 
happen, the U.S. and allied forces need to intensify security along 
the Durand Line so that Taliban's infiltration into Pakistan is 
stopped and they are eliminated in Afghanistan.  The Allied forces 
need to take comprehensive measures to eliminate the Taliban 
completely so that we are forever rid of the scourge of terrorism 
and extremism" 
 
"Continuity Of American Do More And Drone Attacks," an op-ed by 
Professor Shamim Akhtar in Karachi based pro-Jamaat-e-Islam magazine 
"Friday Special" (07/24) 
 
"American general who is heading NATO forces in Afghanistan recently 
arrived on a secret visit to Islamabad and met with Pakistan's 
President Zardari and the Army chief General Kayani blaming Pakistan 
Army's performance as unsatisfactory. The U.S. General also 
complained that Pashtuns from Quetta are supporting Taliban in 
Afghanistan and Pakistan Army is not taking any action against these 
elements. The U.S. general should not be surprised on this, when 
American troops can travel eleven thousands miles from the United 
States, and arrived in Afghanistan, then why cannot Pashtuns from 
Waziristan and Quetta support their brothers in Afghanistan?" 
 
"Waziristan Vs Swat," an op-ed by Ali Abbas Rizvi in the populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(07/24) 
 
"The single most important factor in the whole scenario is that 
unlike the militants in Swat, the Taliban and Al Qaeda in South 
Waziristan are facing an increasing number of U.S. drone attacks. 
These attacks are turning out to be extremely effective, accurate 
and demoralizing for the militants.  There has been a significant 
change in the American mindset with Washington no longer treating 
Baitullah Mehsud as Pakistan-specific problem.  The Americans are 
sharing more information with the army, even providing real time 
intelligence on the movement of militants in the region....  The day 
Baitullah is gone the militants will lose their sting.  For security 
forces, time is of essence.  They will have to keep the militants 
from taking over the cleared territory again.  Waziristan is going 
to be a tough operation for security forces.  However, as things 
stand today, there is no easy way out." 
 
"Monkeys On Keyboards," an op-ed by Cyril Almeida in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (07/24) 
 
"If the army had perfect knowledge, Maulana Fazlullah and his circle 
of top commanders would all be dead by now.  There is also simply no 
way the politicians could have known precisely what the generals or 
the militants or the other, some regional, players were thinking. 
And the Americans, Indians, Afghans, militants and everyone else 
could not have known precisely what lay in the hearts of the 
generals and their intentions with regard to the civilian 
governments.  Imperfect, incomplete and selective information, 
however, surrounds one central, known fact: that Maulana Fazlullah 
and his militants were in charge of Swat.  And since this was 
unacceptable to anyone who believes that the state is the only 
entity that can lay a rightful claim to such authority, the 
militants needed to be defeated." 
 
"An American 'Defence Umbrella' In The Gulf?," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (07/24) 
 
"The Arab rulers in the Gulf want status quo with no war.  They are 
put off by the prospect of an Israeli attack on Iran.  Most of them 
have a modus vivendi with Iran, with sanctions-busting trade 
arrangements....  Iran would be hard put to attack any of these 
small states, unless they provoke it by accepting a defence umbrella 
from the U.S.  Finally, the outcome of the current crisis will be 
determined by Iran.  The Gulf States will take their cue from how 
Iran decides to behave towards them." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson