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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001877 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 12, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports on the killing of "at least 10 militants in a 
drone attack in South Waziristan" dominated headlines in all 
newspapers on Wednesday.   Newspapers also highlighted reports that 
the "Taliban militants blew up eight schools in Buner district 
(NWFP)" where children recently resumed their studies after the area 
was declared safe by the Pakistan Army.  Some speculative reports 
about the additional staffing and the expansion of the U.S. Mission 
in Pakistan continued to garner media attention.  Foreign Office 
spokesman's statement that the Pakistan "government has so far 
received no formal request or indication from the U.S. government 
about for any massive increase the strength of marines" received 
prominent coverage.  Several major newspapers also highlighted the 
Pakistan Army's spokesman statement repudiating Indian media reports 
about the alleged Taliban attacks on Pakistan's nuclear assets as 
terming "factually incorrect and part of typical propaganda campaign 
to malign Pakistan."  Also, the Pentagon spokesman's remarks that 
"U.S. (was) comfortable with the Pakistani security measures" were 
also highlighted. 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on different political issues. 
However, some dailies editorialized the reconstruction of the 
militancy-hit Swat with special reference to the Prime Minister 
Gilani's recent visit to the area.  Commenting on the security 
situation in Swat, the center-right national English daily "The 
Nation," underlined that "completely rooting out the menace of 
extremism by itself is a challenging task, let alone the sustained 
effort required to undo the damage their acts of brutality caused." 
The populist, and often sensational national English daily "The 
News" opined that the "task is not yet finished. The fact is that 
militants remain active in Swat."  Criticizing the proposed 
expansion plan of the U.S. Mission in Pakistan, the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" maintained that the 
"arrival of U.S. Marines will pose a threat to Pakistan's nuclear 
assets due to the close proximity."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"10 Taliban Killed In Drone Attack" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"A U.S. drone fired missiles into a suspected Taliban hideout in the 
Sam area of South Waziristan on Tuesday, killing 10 militants.  An 
official said the house attacked on Tuesday was owned by Abdur Rahim 
Berki known to have links with the Baitullah Mehsud group and served 
as a training facility." 
 
"Eight Schools Blown Up In Buner" "The News" (08/12) 
 
"The Taliban militants blew up eight government schools in 
Chagharzai area in Buner district (NWFP) in the wee hours of 
Tuesday, sources said." 
 
"U.S. To Use Funds For Aid On 'Super Embassy' Project" "Dawn" 
(08/12) 
 
"In what could be a recipe for a new controversy, the United States 
will spend nearly one billion dollars from its $2.4 billion war 
supplement aid for Pakistan on the construction and fortification of 
its new embassy in Islamabad and additional staffing of the mission, 
in what is seen here as a departure from the usual practice of using 
State Department finances for such projects.  Under a program to 
strengthen its presence in Pakistan, the U.S. will bring here about 
1,000 personnel, including a large number of Marines.  The U.S. plan 
to reinforce its presence has already created ripples here and, 
according to a senior official, it would mean stationing of 'more 
American military and intelligence personnel in diplomatic guise.'" 
 
"No U.S. Request For 1,000 Marines In Islamabad: FO" "The News" 
(08/12) 
 
"The government has not received any formal request from the U.S. 
for any massive increase the strength of marines to secure premises 
of its Embassy in Islamabad where currently around 20 marines are 
deployed, according to diplomatic sources.  There is no basis to the 
assertions in various media reports that hundreds of U.S. marines 
and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) will be landing in Islamabad 
soon to guard the American Mission here, maintain spokespersons of 
both the Foreign Office and the U.S. Embassy." 
"Petition Filed In Sindh High Court Against Construction Of 
Residences For Additional Troops In U.S. Embassy" "Islam," 
"Express," "Waqt" (08/12) 
 
"A local lawyer has filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh 
High Court against the construction of residences of 7,500 U.S. 
soldiers.  The Federation of Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff and the 
U.S. Ambassador have been made respondents in the petition.  The 
petitioner has taken stand that the stationing of soldiers is 
violation of the Diplomatic Relations 1961, and Vienna Conventions 
¶1963.  The building of an embassy cannot be used for any activity 
which is against the international diplomatic norms, and such use is 
also prohibited according to the Pakistan's Diplomatic and 
Consular's Privilege Act 1072.  The petitioner Sohail Hameed 
Advocate has prayed the court to stop the respondents from doing 
so." 
 
"U.S. Diplomat Declared Persona Non Grata, Claims Private TV 
Channel; Foreign Office And U.S. Embassy Deny" "Express," "Jang" 
(08/12) 
 
"A private TV channel has claimed that the Pakistan Foreign Office 
has declared a U.S. diplomat [based in Peshawar] persona non grata 
and told to leave the country.  However, the U.S. Embassy has said 
that no diplomat of the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar in engaged in 
anti-Pakistan activities nor is there any diplomat by the name of 
Stephen Cash at the Consulate in Peshawar.  U.S. Embassy Spokesman 
Richard Snelsire said that the Embassy was in touch with the Foreign 
Office and we did not  get any information [about  a diplomat being 
declared persona non grata], nor has anyone been issued a notice to 
leave the country. The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar has also denied 
such reports.  Moreover, Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit has 
also declared this report baseless and said that no such 
notification or order has been issued, nor has any such incident 
taken place." 
 
"Attacks On N-Facilities - D.G. ISPR Rejects Report" "The Nation" 
(08/12" 
 
"Pakistan on Tuesday rejected some foreign media reports claiming 
that extremists and terrorists had attacked its nuclear facilities 
at least thrice over the last two years.  'It is rubbish.  These 
aspersions are factually incorrect and are part of typical 
propaganda campaign to malign Pakistan,' Pakistan Army's chief 
spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told 'The Nation.'" 
 
"Pentagon Comfortable With Pak N-Safety Steps" "The News" (08/12) 
 
"The Pentagon on Tuesday reaffirmed its confidence in the safety of 
Pakistan's nuclear assets with a Press Secretary Geoff Morrell 
saying he was not aware of any Taliban attacks on the South Asian 
country's nuclear installations, reported in the Indian media 
earlier in the day." 
 
"U.S. Actually Worried About What The Pakistani's Thinks?" "The 
News" (08/12) 
 
"The United States, concerned over its negative image in Pakistan as 
reflected in a recent poll, Monday reaffirmed Washington's pledge to 
help see off the key South Asian nation's economic and security 
challenges.  'Well, I saw that poll, and it's obviously very 
concerning.  We clearly have a lot of work to do,' Deputy spokesman 
at the State Department Robert Wood said at the daily briefing." 
 
"U.S. Congress Urged To Expedite Passage Of Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Daily 
Times" (08/12) 
 
"The New York Times, a leading U.S. newspaper on Tuesday has stated 
that Baitullah Mehsud's killing represented 'some success' of 
President Barack Obama's military policy for Pakistan and called for 
an early Congressional passage of the long-promised bill tripling 
economic and development assistance to the South Asian country." 
 
"Interior Minister Rejects TTP Claim" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday rejected a claim made by 
Hakeemullah Mehsud that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah 
Mehsud was still alive, calling for supporting evidence.  The 
minister told a press conference: 'We have credible and substantial 
evidence that Baitullah Mehsud is dead.  Hakeemullah Mehsud's 
statement is insufficient.'" 
 
"Mehsud To Appear Before Media Soon" "The Nation" (08/12) 
 
"The spokesman of defunct Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Maulvi 
Omar, on Tuesday claimed that TTP Chief Baitullah Mehsud was alive 
and would appear before the media either in person or through 
videotape within next few days to negate the government claims of 
his dealth." 
 
"Militants Will Not Be Allowed To Regroup: Zardari" "The News" 
(08/12) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari said the Malakand plan should result in 
increased security with improved system of governance in which the 
potential of the region was fully exploited for economic growth and 
the region was made a secure, prosperous and tolerant place free 
from the dangers of militancy.  The President said the objective of 
the plan required that militants were not allowed to regroup." 
 
"Malakand Operation Cost Nation Billions Of Rupees" "The News" 
(08/12) 
 
"Pakistan's defence spending increased by around Rs 30 billion in 
the fiscal ending June 30, 2009, due to the military operation in 
the Malakand Division to flush out the militants, Finance Minister 
Shaukat Tarin said while talking to reporters in Islamabad on 
Tuesday." 
 
"People Displaced By Fresh Fighting In NWFP: UN" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"Some 765,000 out of more than two million displaced people in 
Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province have now returned to their 
homes, but continued fighting is causing a fresh round of 
displacement, according to the United Nations humanitarian body." 
 
"Militants Killing Militants: 21 Dead" "The News" (08/12) 
 
"About 21 militants were killed and 12 others were taken hostage as 
two insurgent groups clashed over a dispute started by an incidence 
of body search at a Taliban established check-point in Shahokhel and 
Ghaljo areas in Orakzai Agency." 
 
"Four Militants Die In 18-Hour-Long Kabal Action" "The News" 
(08/12) 
 
"Security forces, during an 18-hour-long operation in Akhund Killay 
in Kabal Tehsil of Swat, killed a militant commander and three 
others and showed their corpses to the media Mingora on Tuesday. 
Briefing reporters, in charge of the ISPR media cell, Swat, Lt-Col 
Akhtar, said the militants had taken positions in bunkers at the 
hilltops while personnel of security forces had to move into the 
area by boats." 
 
"17 Militants Dead After Rocket Attack" "The News" (08/12) 
 
"In an operation, paramilitary forces on Tuesday killed at least 17 
militants in a tribal area after militants rockets killed two 
civilians in Peshawar city, a paramilitary statement said.  'It said 
a large quantity of arms and ammunition has been captured and troops 
destroyed one ammunition dump and six militant hideouts.'" 
 
"17 Militants Killed In Bara: FC" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"Security forces used helicopter gunships in an offensive against 
the banned Lashkar-i-Islam in Bara subdivision on Tuesday, killing 
17 militants and destroying six hideouts of militants, the Frontier 
Corps Media Cell said." 
 
"Govt. Decides To Restructure ISI" "The News" (08/12) 
 
"The government has decided to restructure the Inter-Services 
Intelligence (ISI) to make it more efficient and vibrant, well 
placed sources in the Ministry of Defence told 'The News.'" 
 
"Khan Of Kalat Ups The Ante" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"The Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Dawood, announced on Tuesday 
formation of a council for 'independent Balochistan' and rejected 
any reconciliation with the government of Pakistan without the 
mediation of European Union and United Nations.  Addressing 
reporters from London on telephone, he said the council would ensure 
the creation of an independent state of Balochistan." 
 
"FC Cuts Short Balochistan 'I-Day' Celebrations" "Daily Times" 
(08/12) 
 
"The Frontier Corps (FC) arrested on Tuesday dozens of political 
activists all over the province who were celebrating August 11 as 
'Balochistan independence day,'  The celebrations had been organized 
on a call by Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Dawood - who designated 
August 11 as 'Balochistan independence day,' and said August 14 
should be observed as a 'black day.'" 
 
"U.S. Ready For Reconciliation With Rank-And-File Taliban" "Dawn" 
(08/12) 
 
"The top commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday 
vowed his troops would prevail in the war and said he was open to 
reconciling with rank-and-file Taliban.  'We will win.  The Taliban 
won't win.  But we will also have to deal through good and bad days, 
and good and bad months,' Gen. Stanley McChrystal told U.S. National 
Public Radio." 
 
"Provinces Warned About Sipah-e-Sahaba: Minister" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"The government told the National Assembly on Tuesday it had asked 
provinces to keep a watch on the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba group, which 
is accused of fomenting recent violence in the Punjab province's 
Jhang and Gojra towns." 
 
"Musharraf Faces Arrest On Return" "Daily Times" (08/12) 
 
"Former President Pervez Musharraf will face arrest if he returns to 
Pakistan after police registered a case against him on Tuesday over 
his detention of judges during 2007, said Hakam Khan, head of a 
Police Station in Islamabad where the case was lodged." 
 
"U.K. Diplomat Starts Talks To 'Protect' Musharraf" "Dawn" (08/12) 
 
"Senior British diplomat Mark Lyall Grant, Director, Political 
affairs at the British Foreign Office on Tuesday started talks with 
Pakistan's top political leaders, triggering speculations that he 
might be seeking concessions for former President Gen. Pervez 
Musharraf, who faces a possible trial for high treason." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Challenging Task Ahead," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/12) 
 
"While the Prime Minister's reaffirmation to reconstruct the 
militancy-hit Malakand Division is welcome, it is pertinent to 
stress that the job should be taken up in all earnestness and 
without loss of time....  To fulfill Mr. Gilani's promises, the 
authorities would have to demonstrate deep commitment.  Completely 
rooting out the menace of extremism by itself is a challenging task, 
let alone the sustained effort required to undo the damage their 
acts of brutality caused." 
 
"Settling Swat," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/12) 
 
"The Prime Minister, on his first visit to Swat since displaced 
persons began to return there, told a gathering of elders that a 
special package would soon be announced for the area....  But the 
task is not yet finished.  The fact is that militants remain active 
in Swat.  According to some accounts, clandestine radio stations 
spring back occasionally to life; militant commanders mete out 
threats to people through messages and fear still hangs over the 
mountains....  Rather than simply announcing plans for them, these 
people need to be drawn into the decision-making process.  They must 
have some say in deciding what the most urgent needs of the area are 
and how they can be best met." 
 
"Swat Situation," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (08/12) 
"Rehabilitation of IDPs needs to be done on a war footing....  The 
task to rehabilitate millions of people is not easy but it can be 
made possible with a realistic assessment of the situation and a 
strong commitment to reverse it.  This requires more coordinated 
efforts of the federal and provincial governments." 
 
"Expansion Of The U.S. Embassy In Islamabad, And Jamaat-e-Islami's 
Protest," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right 
Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (08/12) 
 
"Jamaat-i-Islami Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan has said that turning the 
U.S. Embassy into a garrison in the guise of expansion is 
unacceptable.  He said that his party would hold a protest on August 
18 against this expansion and the arrival of U.S. Marines.  He said 
the protest would spread throughout the country if the government 
does not take notice....  According to reports, about 1750 Marines 
are being called to Pakistan to protect the Embassy.  There are 
several other doubts regarding the Embassy. Although the current 
construction is being termed as expansion, the kind of construction 
taking place there lends credibility to Munawar Hasan's statement 
that it is being turned into a garrison....  The arrival of U.S. 
Marines will pose a threat to Pakistan's nuclear assets due to the 
close proximity.  Syed Munawar Hasan deserves praise for raising his 
voice on such a sensitive issue.  The government must take note of 
this situation and allay the nation's concerns." 
 
"Chaos And Neglect - National Drift," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari 
in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (08/12) 
 
"The incident of the SHO being abused and threatened by a U.S. 
Embassy guard (or diplomat since he seemed to have that status) is 
just one incident.  Imagine what will happen in Islamabad and across 
Pakistan with 1000 plus U.S. marines running loose all armed and 
oblivious to Pakistani law!  Once again Holbrooke is arriving, no 
doubt to claim his pound of flesh for the drone attack against 
Baitullah!  Already the U.S. seems to think that the Pakistani 
public will now cheer on the drone attacks regardless of the issues 
of sovereignty and collateral damage!  Also, he is bound to pressure 
the army into beginning a full-scale conventional operation in FATA 
- which will be a disaster for us.  Is he also going to pressure us 
further into accepting Black-water and CIA front groups across the 
NWFP?  Is he going to press us into allowing the 1000 plus marines 
into Islamabad and providing them immunity from the law of the 
land?" 
 
"TTP At The Fork," an editorial in the country's premier business 
newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (08/12) 
 
"No doubt in the death of the diminutive but powerful, Baitullah 
Mehsud - he was only five feet two inches in height - the 
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has suffered a serious blow to its morale 
and unity, a situation likely to worsen, because the battle for 
succession is not expected to throw up any single winner.  None of 
the wannabes has the charisma and credentials of their erstwhile 
leader to win over the loyalty of the identity-conscious Pakistani 
Taliban.  Death of Baitullah Mehsud is the weakest moment in the 
life of the multi-group TTP." 
 
"Suspicious Silence Over Drone Attacks," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" 
(cir. 3,000) (08/12) 
 
"The father-in-law, wife, and sister of Baitullah Mehsud (TTP chief) 
were killed in a recent drone strike, but the opposition parties in 
the Pakistan parliament are suspiciously silent over the issue. The 
parliament earlier had condemned the drone attacks, but the 
Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. kept on talking about the positive 
results these attacks have shown. The day may not be far away when 
the U.S. troops would land in Pakistan and can turn it into another 
Afghanistan or Iraq." 
 
"Are Baitullah Mehsud And Hakeemullah Dead," an editorial in 
Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi Daily "Ibrat" (cir. 
80,000) (08/12) 
 
"If the reports of Baitullah Mehsud's death are true, then it is a 
good news for the people of this country, as he was involved in 
killing of thousands of innocent Pakistanis." 
"Separated At Birth," an op-ed by Mahir Ali in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(08/12) 
 
"The probable decapitation of a leading faction of the Pakistani 
Taliban could be considered an auspicious augury in the run-up to 
the nation's Independence Day, although the delay obtaining 
confirmation of Baitullah Mehsud's demise also serves as a reminder 
that, notwithstanding their nomenclature, the tribal areas are not 
in any meaningful sense federally administered.  At the time of 
writing, mystery also continued to surround the fate of rival 
claimants to Baitullah's blood-soaked mantle.  These dramatic 
incidents were preceded by confusion over Islamabad's South 
Waziristan strategy, with a concerted military push in the Swat vein 
postponed amid persistent rumors - occasionally lamely denied - of 
backchannel contacts with Baitullah, apparently in an attempt to 
thrash out some sort of a deal.  It is possible, of course, that the 
intent behind these contacts was more devious, the idea being to 
pinpoint the Taliban chieftains so that the coordinates could be 
passed on to the Americans." 
 
"Terrorism Cannot Be Controlled Without Brainwashing The Misguided 
Elements," an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, 
often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (08/12) 
 
"As the terrorists won the minds and hearts of their naove 
operatives in the garb of religious conviction, therefore, it is 
also essential that the religious scholars and the enlightened 
clerics must persuade those misguided people and bring them back to 
the mainstream social order.  Only a positive change of the mindset 
and attitude can make a different, and we can triumph over extremism 
and fanaticism.  Moreover, there is also need to bring out 
progressive literature in Pashto language to initiate a drive to 
reform our society.  Poverty alleviation and more opportunities for 
jobs should be the cornerstone of this approach, as it is an 
established fact that poverty and joblessness can compel individuals 
to go into the terrorism fold." 
 
"Taliban Supremacy In Afghanistan: U.S. General's Admission And Our 
National Interest," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (08/12) 
 
"In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, U.S. General Stanley 
McChrystal has admitted that the Taliban have gained supremacy in 
the Afghan war and have forced the U.S. to deploy troops in  thickly 
populated areas....  General McChrystal's admission should be a 
cause of concern for the Pakistani government also, which -- 
continuing with Musharraf's pro-U.S.  agenda -- is involving itself 
deeper into a war which the U.S. and Europeans seem to be losing... 
After the U.S. General's admission, Pakistan must also try to 
extricate itself from the U.S. war on terror." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Feierstein