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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001850 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 10, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports on the conflicting claims about the killing of 
notorious militant Baitullah Mahsud's in a U.S. drone attack 
continued to garner extensive media coverage on Monday.  U.S. 
National Security Advisor James Jones's statement that he had seen 
"pretty conclusive" evidence that Baitullah had died in a drone 
attack received prominent display in all major newspapers.  Pegged 
to it were reports quoting Pakistan Interior Minister Malik as 
"challenging"  Taliban to "prove that their leader is still alive." 
The Foreign Office spokesman's statement denying "any drone attack 
accord with U.S." received wide coverage.  Secretary Clinton's 
remarks that the "U.S. did a lot 'behind the scenes' to show support 
for demonstrators contesting Iran's disputing presidential election 
results" were also highlighted. 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on the mystery about Baitullah 
Mehsud's fate and its potential consequences.  The center-right Urdu 
daily "Pakistan," noted that "there can be no doubt in that 
Baitullah Mehsud's death and withdrawal of militants from Swat has 
strengthened Pakistan's position."  The Lahore-based newspaper, 
"Daily Times," advised that "this is the time for Pakistan to move 
forward and reclaim its sovereignty from the Taliban."  However, the 
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq," observed that the 
"reports of killing of the Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud have 
given good reason for the U.S. drone attacks, as this is the first 
high-profile success for the United States, and it can try to 
convince the international community that its drone strikes aren't 
unjustified."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Evidence 'Pretty Conclusive,' U.S. Official" "Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"U.S. National Security Adviser Jim Jones said on Sunday he had seen 
'pretty conclusive' evidence that Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah 
Mehsud had died in a drone attack, Gen. Jones told NBC's 'Meet the 
Press' when asked if Baitullah had been killed in a U.S. missile 
strike on Wednesday." 
 
"Malik Dares Taliban To Prove Mahsud Is Alive" "The New" (08/10) 
 
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik has challenged the Taliban to prove 
their leaders are still alive, after reports that two of them have 
been killed in shootout at their Shoora meeting.  Rehman Malik told 
the BBC officials physical evidence showed that the top commander, 
Baitullah Mehsud, was killed in a U.S. missile attack on Wednesday." 
 
 
"DNA Test Soon, Says Interior Ministry" "Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"Ambiguities about the death of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) 
chief Baitullah Mehsud will be over after DNA tests in two to three 
days, Interior Secretary Kamal Shah said on Sunday.  'Experts will 
match the DNA of Baitullah with that of his brother' the official 
told 'Dawn.'" 
 
"U.S., Pakistan Believe Baitullah Is Dead; Taliban Deny Claim" 
"Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"The U.S. and Pakistan are almost certain a U.S. missile strike 
killed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud and that his 
death led to a fierce power struggle among his deputies, officials 
said on Sunday, despite claims and counter-claims as to the fate of 
the country's most wanted man." 
 
"U.S. Reviewing Baitullah's Killing: Clinton" "The Post" (08/10) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that her 
government is taking stock of the matter of Baitullah Mehsud's 
killing, reported a private TV channel. She said, 'We are mulling 
over all the reports regarding the killing of Baitullah Mehsud.'" 
 
"Baitullah Killing Seen As Major Blow To Taliban" "The News" 
(08/10) 
 
"With a shattering stroke from the sky, the United States appeared 
to have dealt a major setback to extremist forces by killing the 
charismatic leader of the Pakistani Taliban. 'We've buried him more 
than once in the past.  But assuming it is right, it is a pretty 
E 
significant step.  He became a symbol of the Taliban's war on the 
Pakistani state, much more than any other figure,' said Bruce 
Riedel, a former CIA Officer and White House Adviser." 
 
"Hakeemullah And Wali Both Dead: Turkistan" "Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"Baitullah Mehsud had been killed along with 40 militants in a drone 
strike last week and was buried in his house, says a commander of 
the rival group.  Haji Turkistan Bhittani, a commander of the 
Abdullah Mehsud group, told various TV channels on Sunday that Qari 
Hussain, mastermind of several suicide attacks, was seriously 
injured in the attack.  He said that Mufti Waliur Rehman and 
Hakeemullah Mehsud, the two leading contenders for the top slot, 
were also killed." 
 
"Baitullah's Aide Says He Is Alive But Ill" "The News" (08/10) 
 
"The mystery about Baitullah Mehsud's fate persisted on Sunday as 
one of his commanders maintained that he left his father-in-law's 
house before a U.S. drone attack that killed his wife.  Maulana Noor 
Said, who described himself as a deputy to Baitullah, insisted that 
the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) founder and head survived the 
drone strike. However, he conceded that Baitullah was ill and in 
poor health." 
 
"After Baitullah, Battle On For Taliban Treasure" "The News" 
(08/10) 
 
"A bloody feud that followed Baitullah Mehsud's death involving 
about three-dozen best-trained Taliban fighters early on Wednesday 
morning was actually a battle among various Taliban warlords to 
control Rs 2 billion Taliban funds and ownership of arms and 
ammunition worth about Rs 1 billion by grabbing the 'Emarat' (the 
leadership) of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to 
senior security officials and knowledgeable Taliban sources....  An 
intelligence official said: 'For about four years, some 3,500 
trained fighters and dozens of suicide bombers blindly followed 
Baitullah as he was the centre of gravity of terrorism in 
Pakistan.'" 
 
"FO Denies Any Drone Accord With U.S.; Urges Pak Access To Civil 
Nuclear Technology" "The News" (08/10) 
 
"Pakistan says the India-Israel nexus has posed serious threat to 
the regional security stressing that countries of the region should 
take utmost care on this count particularly in view of the 
prevailing nuclear environment of the region.  Foreign Office 
spokesman Abdul Basit said this in an exclusive interview with 
Online in Islamabad on Sunday. He went on to say that Pak-U.S. 
strategic collaboration was gaining momentum in war against 
terrorism.  Drone attacks had caused more damage than benefit to 
Pakistan.  However, no accord existed between Pakistan and the US 
with regard to drone attacks, he added." 
 
"U.S. Was In League With Iran Protesters, Admits Clinton" "The News" 
(08/10) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday that the United 
States did a lot 'behind the scenes' to show support for 
demonstrators contesting Iran's disputed presidential election 
results, Clinton said in an interview with CNN broadcast on Sunday." 
 
 
"11 Militants, 5 Lashkar Men Killed In Clash" "Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"Eleven militants and five members of an anti-Taliban Lashkar were 
killed in a fierce gun battle in Khwaizai tehsil in Mohmand tribal 
region on Sunday morning, According to official sources." 
 
"Blast Kills 2 Soldiers" "Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"Two soldiers were killed and four others injured when their vehicle 
was hit by a bomb on the Miramshah-Mir Ali road on Sunday, according 
to official sources." 
 
"Helicopters Target LI Hideout In Tirah" "Dawn" (08/10) 
 
"Sources said that at least five helicopter gunships targeted the 
Lashkar-i-Islam hideouts in the remote Tirah valley of Khyber Agency 
on Sunday.  Officials said that besides blowing up of an ammunition 
depot, seven vehicles of the militants were also destroyed. 
However, no loss of life was reported." 
 
"Militants Loot FC Convoy In Kurram" "The News" (08/10) 
 
"Suspected militants on Sunday looted convoy of the Frontier Corps 
(FC) that was transporting medicines and other goods to the blocked 
town of Parachinar in Kurram." 
 
"U.S. Bigger Threat Than India: Pakistanis" "The Nation" (08/10) 
 
"A survey commissioned by Al Jazeera has revealed a widespread 
disenchantment in Pakistan with the United States for interfering 
with what most people consider internal affairs.  The polling was 
conducted by Gallup Pakistan - an organisation affiliated with the 
U.S.-based Gallup Inc -and more than 2,600 people took part." 
 
"U.S. Pressure To Shun Pak, Iran Gas Pipe" "Pakistan Observer" 
(08/10) 
 
"The government of Pakistan is under severe U.S. pressure to 
postpone Pak-Iran gas pipeline project due to which government is 
committing delay to formally get the project approved from the 
Federal Cabinet, a senior official in the Ministry of Petroleum on 
the condition of anonymity told 'Online.'" 
 
"Obama To sharpen Af-Pak Goals" "The Nation" (08/10) 
 
"President Barack Obama will next month send Congress a new plan for 
measuring progress in Pakistan and Afghanistan, in an effort to 
build confidence among wavering Democrats and give sharper direction 
to a costly and increasingly bloody war, according to White House 
officials." 
 
"Baloch Republican Army (BRA) Kills Four More Cops" "The News" 
(08/10) 
 
"Separatist rebels shot dead four more policemen and threatened to 
execute other hostages unless government withdraws troops and 
releases detainees in Balochistan.  'The bodies of four more 
policemen were found early on Sunday, a senior police official Kalim 
Ullah told reporters on Sunday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Baitullah Mehsud's Succession," an editorial in the center-right 
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (08/10) 
 
"There can be no doubt that Baitullah Mehsud's death and withdrawal 
of militants from Swat has strengthened Pakistan's position; and if 
need be, Pakistan can talk with the Taliban from a position of 
strength. However, no one should be under the illusion that Taliban 
can be eliminated through force alone.  Along with force, efforts 
must also continue to find a political solution to the issue." 
 
"Succession After Baitullah," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (08/10) 
 
"Succession in the TTP is not going to be easy. And the TTP is never 
going to be the same.  All qualities among the Pashtun are 
individual, above all organizational talent not often found in 
warriors.  This is the time for Pakistan to move forward and reclaim 
its sovereignty from the Taliban.  Al Qaeda is in trouble in this 
transition.  The drones are getting too close for comfort, and more 
and more people will now be inclined to take money to betray its 
leaders' whereabouts.  Under the circumstances, the news that Al 
Qaeda may move out of the mountains and into the cities is 
credible." 
 
"Justification Of Drone Attacks," an editorial in the Peshawar-based 
Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (08/10) 
 
"The reports of killing of the Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud have 
given good reason for the U.S. drone attacks, as this is the first 
high profile success for the United States, and it can try to 
convince the international community that its drone strikes aren't 
unjustified.  Owing to this situation, the government must make 
public details of all the U.S. drone attacks, and their rate of 
success.  One or two successes neither validate such attacks, nor 
can permit the U.S. to defy Pakistan's sovereignty.  Even if the 
United States can achieve its targets through drone attacks, it has 
no right to assault a country.  And if the U.S. considers the drone 
very effective tool, then it should transfer this technology to its 
frontline ally in this war." 
 
"Wider Ripples?," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/10) 
 
"Baitullah Mehsud was never a significant part of the Afghan 
equation, but his death will have undoubted consequences perhaps 
most particularly on the relationship between the Pakistan military 
and the Americans.  Washington may now use his death to pressure 
Pakistan to 'do more' - which is going to challenge those in the 
military establishment whose ambivalent relationship with the 
Taliban tends to define them as future, if not current, assets.... 
Also, Mehsud's death will almost certainly bring an end to the 
long-planned but never executed operation in the Waziristans.  This 
was a fight that the army would rather it did not have, if only 
because there was unlikely to be a clear-cut win and they would be 
facing an enemy entrenched over years and resourced to the eyeballs. 
 Now, they can wait and watch as the serious internal schisms within 
the disparate groups that make up the Taliban translate into 
internecine conflict, obviating the need to conduct a full-scale 
operation.  Assuming that Mehsud was killed by a drone it bolsters 
the American case for more of the same; and there has been a 
deafening silence from the ranks of those usually quick to condemn 
every infringement of our sovereignty. Mehsud's (presumed) death is 
significant but not definitive in terms of the wider conflict; a 
conflict which will probably outlive any number of 'leaders.'" 
 
"Taliban Shootout," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/10) 
 
"The episode throws a garish light into the workings of the Taliban 
in Pakistan, where it seemed that the law of the jungle operated at 
its most naked, and where leadership was only retained by those most 
ready to kill.  And not kill the enemy, but one another.  It also 
signals the beginning of the breakdown of the Tehrik that has been 
predicted for it, but those emerging from this internal struggle 
will be fiercer and more hardened in purpose than before....  The 
late Baitullah's network is still virtually intact, and unless it is 
dismantled, the government can be sure that someone will take it 
over." 
 
"Fighting Militants," an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/10) 
 
"Key Taliban figures, including Maulana Fazlullah, remain 
unaccounted for. Recent militant incursions into Shangla and other 
districts of NWFP indicate they retain their capacity to carry out 
plans.  This is disturbing.  Many of Swat's wealthier and more 
influential residents have chosen not to return to it. This means 
that the ordinary people left to survive on their own will have even 
less capacity to ward off a militant threat.  This is a possibility 
that needs to be guarded against.  The 'Lashkars' need to be built 
into a civilian defence force able to keep watch over the valley and 
keep it safe." 
 
"More Alive Than Dead?," an op-ed by Ejaz Haider in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (08/10) 
 
"Rehman Malik says if Baitullah Mehsud (BM) is not dead the Taliban 
should give evidence that he is alive. This one sure takes the cake. 
It's almost like saying the onus of proving that he is alive is on 
the Taliban because we 'know' he is dead!  But why the hell would 
the Taliban give evidence of whether BM is or is not dead?  The 
suspense works to their advantage, especially if the government 
cannot give conclusive proof of his death.  Even so we now have 
reports suggesting BM is planning his own video release to prove he 
is alive and kicking!  It is of course possible that BM is in fact 
dead and the Taliban are buying time to work out a succession 
process before they announce that he has died of natural causes or 
some such thing." 
 
"Foreign Buying On Baitullah Mehsud's Death News!" news analysis by 
Afzal Bajwa in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" 
(cir. 20,000) (08/10) 
"Pakistan's capital market that registered healthy buying on part of 
the foreign players during the week ending Friday last is most 
likely to get fresh attention of international investors after the 
news about Taliban leader's death....  The potent fundamental 
indicators of the market coupled with sentiment boosting news about 
the death of most wanted leader of militant's Baitullah Mehsud 
helped bulls to prevail towards the end of the week under-review." 
 
"Afghan Elections," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/10) 
 
"Confronted by the existential threat posed by the Taliban/Al Qaida 
combine, Pakistan and Afghanistan are doomed to cooperate.  They 
need to engage purposely and wholeheartedly because if they remain 
at odds with each other, or work at cross-purposes, both will 
suffer.  Something approaching friendship must be forged.  The 
animus and suspicion that has traditionally existed won't do." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Feierstein