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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001884 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 13, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports on "killing of 70 people in fierce clashes between 
supporters of Baitullah Mehsud (TTP chief allegedly killed lately) 
and rival Turkistan Bhittani in Jandola" dominated headlines in all 
newspapers on Thursday.  Several major newspapers highlighted the 
U.S. Charge d'Affaires Feierstein's remarks that he made while 
talking to a select group of journalists at the embassy that 
"Islamabad has been fully taken on board on the expansion of U.S. 
Embassy in Islamabad" and that he "categorically rejected" the media 
reports regarding the addition of 1,000 U.S. Marines to the embassy 
staff.  The Pentagon Press Secretary's statement that "U.S. (will) 
not abandon Pakistan" received prominent display.  Newspapers also 
reported that the "security forces arrested 46 suspected Taliban" 
during the ongoing search and clearance operation in Swat valley. 
 
Several major newspapers ran editorials on the incident of burning 
down of seven schools by Taliban, the recent drone attack in 
Waziristan, and the overall security situation in the country. 
However, the center-right national English daily "The Nation," in 
its editorial observed that the U.S. Special Envoy "Holbrooke's 
agenda for his forthcoming visit to Islamabad would prominently 
figure the demand for pressing ahead with the military campaign to 
cover South Waziristan."  Commenting on the schools burning 
incident, the populist, often sensational national English daily 
"The News," noted that "self-evidently the Taliban, at least in 
Buner and Shangla, are not 'defeated' and neither the army nor the 
government in any of their iterations are able to protect their most 
valuable assets."  The liberal Urdu daily "Express," maintained that 
"it is now clear that the areas have not yet been fully cleansed of 
the militants. However, the militants have been weakened greatly, 
they are fighting amongst themselves and making false statements in 
desperation."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Supporters Of Baitullah, Bhittani Clash; 70 Dead" "Dawn" (08/13) 
 
"Fierce clashes broke out between supporters of Baitullah Mehsud and 
rival Turkistan Bhittani in the Frontier Region of Jandola on 
Wednesday and each side claimed inflicting heavy casualties on the 
other.  According to sources, at least 70 fighters were killed in 
the clash." 
 
"Mehsud's Death A Big Deal, Says Holbrooke" "Daily Times" (08/13) 
 
"U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard 
Holbrooke on Wednesday saw Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief 
Baitullah Mehsud's elimination last week in the tribal areas as a 
'very big deal' in terms of security efforts in Pakistan." 
 
"Mehsud's Death Report Submitted" "The Post" (08/13) 
 
"The intelligence departments concerned on Wednesday sent a detailed 
report to the President and the prime minister regarding the death 
of banned TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud which confirms his death along 
with substantial evidence and information, sources told 'Online.'" 
 
"Pakistan Taken On Board On U.S. Embassy Expansion" "The News," 
"Dawn," "The Nation," "Business Recorder," "Daily Times" (08/13) 
 
"U.S. Embassy Charg d'Affaires Gerald Feierstein has said 
government of Pakistan has been fully taken into confidence on the 
expansion of U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.  The Foreign Office is alive 
to our compulsions and fully supports us on the matter of expansion 
in the Embassy and increase in strength of the staff,' he said this 
while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
"Marginal Increase In U.S. Marines: Embassy" "The Post" (08/13) 
 
"Refuting the news items about arrival of 1000 U.S. marines to 
Pakistan, the Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission in Islamabad has said 
that about 20 U.S. Marines are in Pakistan to fulfill security 
responsibilities of the Embassy and other installations and there 
will be marginal increase in their strength after the expansion in 
Embassy staff.  Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission in Islamabad Gerald M. 
Feierstein, talking to a group of newsmen in Islamabad at the U.S. 
Embassy, said that upcoming large-scale programs needed more staff 
but categorically rejected the induction of 1000 U.S. Marines in 
this strength." 
 
"Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) To Protest against U.S. Embassy's Expansion" 
"The Frontier Post" (08/13) 
 
"Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) will hold a protest rally against the reported 
expansion of the U.S. Embassy's sub offices in Pakistan.  'The 
expansion of the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan would certainly mean to 
build cantonments for Americans in Pakistan,' said (JI) media 
coordinator Syed Muhammad Bilal in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
"Jumpy Jogger Jumps At Student" "Dawn" (08/13) 
 
"The city police have started investigation into a brawl in which a 
foreigner allegedly manhandled a student and damaged his vehicle in 
the Diplomatic Enclave on Wednesday, sources told 'Dawn.'  Shams 
Khan, a resident of Nasir Apartments located in the Diplomatic 
Enclave, lodged a complaint with the Secretariat Police Station, 
claiming that a U.S. diplomat manhandled his son - Ibrahim Khan. 
Richard Snelsire, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, when contacted 
said: 'I cannot comment on the issue as I have no information about 
the incident.'" 
 
"U.S. Not To Abandon Pakistan: Pentagon" "The Nation" (08/13) 
 
"Acknowledging positive results of the recent Pakistani 
anti-terrorism efforts, the Pentagon has renewed the U.S. pledge to 
provide security and economic assistance to the key regional ally 
striving to overcome challenges in the two fields....  Press 
Secretary Geoff Morrell said, 'We must manifest to the Pakistani 
government and people that we are there for the long haul.  We are 
not going to abandon them again as we did years ago when the 
Pressler Amendment froze us out of contacts with the Pakistani 
government and military.'" 
 
"Pak Aid Bill Put Off Till Congress Vacation Ends" "The News" 
(08/13) 
 
"Although the Pakistani officials insist that both the houses of 
U.S. Congress have reached an agreement over the Kerry-Lugar Bill, 
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee officials have said that the 
matter was not settled and the reconciliation committee would begin 
negotiations when the U.S. Congress resumes session in early 
September.  Frederick Jones, spokesman for the powerful U.S. Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee, told 'The News.'" 
 
"Security Forces Arrest 46 Suspected Taliban In Swat" "Daily Times" 
(08/13) 
 
"Security forces said on Wednesday they had arrested 46 suspected 
Taliban during the ongoing search and clearance operation in various 
parts of Swat." 
 
"Afghan Govt. Acts On Pakistan Complaints; National Assembly 
Informed" "Dawn" (08/13) 
 
"Afghanistan has removed 'some' of the militants operating from its 
border against Pakistan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the 
National Assembly on Wednesday, in a rare compliment to Kabul for 
what he saw as the start of implementation of its commitments to 
Islamabad." 
 
"Students Demand Military Operation In Khyber Agency" "The News" 
(08/13) 
 
"The students belonging to Khyber Agency Wednesday demanded of the 
government to launch a full-fledged military operation to purge 
their area of militants.  The students said they were living in 
their native town but compelled by cruelties of the militants to 
migrate to Peshawar." 
 
"Mine Kills Two Children In Bajaur" "Daily Times" 08/13) 
 
"Two schoolboys were killed and another injured on Wednesday when a 
mine exploded in Bajaur, local administration chief Adalat Khan 
said." 
 
"U.S. General Pushes For Unmanned Vehicles" "Daily Times" 08/13) 
 
"As pilotless U.S. drones battle in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq 
from the sky, a top U.S. Army general is urging the military to step 
E 
up the deployment of unmanned vehicles on the ground.  'It's all 
about saving lives,' Lieutenant General Rick Lynch, the commander of 
the III Armored Corps, said on Tuesday." 
 
"Dr. Aafia Case - Govt. Told Not To Release $20 Million To U.S. 
Lawyers" "Dawn" (08/13) 
 
"The Lahore High Court on Wednesday restrained the federal 
government from releasing $20 million to three U.S.-based lawyers 
for pleading Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case in American courts." 
 
"FBI Agents Testify At Kasab's Trial" "Dawn" (08/13) 
 
"Agents from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on 
Wednesday gave evidence at the trial of the sole surviving gunman of 
last year's Mumbai attacks.  The first witness, an FBI electronics 
engineer and forensic expert, told a special prison court that he 
had examined one satellite phone and three hand-held global 
positioning systems recovered after the attacks, the FBI agent told 
the court under condition of anonymity." 
 
"U.S. To Press Pakistan On Mumbai Plotters" "Daily Times" (08/13) 
 
"The Al Qaeda, Taliban and the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba are common enemies 
of the U.S. and India and Washington is pressing Pakistan hard on 
the Mumbai attacks suspects, Timothy Roemer, the new U.S. envoy to 
India, said on Wednesday." 
 
"Pak Intercontinental Missile Underway; Technology to Cover Range of 
7,000 Kilometers" "The Post" (08/13) 
 
"Pakistan, to increase its defensive capabilities, has started 
preparing intercontinental missile with a range of 7000 kilometers, 
according to sources." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Incoherent U.S. Policy," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/13) 
 
"going by the views that the various U.S. officials have been 
expressing after Pakistan's successful operation in Swat, 
President's Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke's agenda for his 
forthcoming visit to Islamabad would prominently figure the demand 
for pressing ahead with the military campaign to cover South 
Waziristan.  But, strangely at the same time, the U.S. shies away 
from appreciating its implications for Pakistan and its own and its 
Western allies' responsibilities to an extent that one gets the 
impression that the U.S. is not quite clear about its strategic 
objective concerning militancy.  On the one hand, eliminating it is 
characterized as a major initiative of Washington's policy; on the 
other, it hums and haws at delivering on its commitments that should 
help achieve that objective....  For Pakistan as well as the U.S., 
it is important that the varied consequences of stretching the 
military operation to South Waziristan before consolidating the 
gains in Malakand Division are thoroughly weighed." 
 
"Burn Everything," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/13) 
 
"One of the defining features of Taliban activity is their 
progressive destruction of the education system in the areas where 
they operate or have influence in Swat and Malakand....  In terms of 
the fight they seek to win it makes sense for them to target schools 
because education is the greatest threat that they face in the long 
term.  Educated minds are less pliable.  For the provincial and 
federal governments, the rebuilding of the education system in the 
war-affected areas is one of the most pressing needs.... 
Self-evidently the Taliban, at least in Buner and Shangla, are not 
'defeated' and neither the army nor the government in any of their 
iterations is able to protect their most valuable assets.  We are 
learning a lesson, but not in school." 
 
"A Shocking Incident," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (08/13) 
 
"In a shocking development, Taliban burnt down seven primary schools 
in Buner.  The incident comes after the military claimed to have 
wiped out militants from the area and declared the place safe for 
people to return....  This and other incidents show that the 
security forces have to attack the Taliban with full force so that 
they are not able to regain their lost territory." 
 
"Drone Attacks And Destruction Of Schools In Swat," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (08/13) 
 
"As far as the drone attack in South Waziristan is concerned, it is 
very difficult to condone it because such strikes constitute a 
violation of our territories.  Admittedly, these strikes killed 
Baitullah Mehsud and other important Taliban leaders, and even the 
latest strike must have targeted such elements; despite this, the 
U.S. stance is irresponsible....  If the U.S. has evidence, it 
should share this information with Pakistan so that if possible, a 
joint operation could be conducted, but bypassing the other side 
[Pakistan] when the aim is similar can lead to a perception that 
there is lack of trust....  The fact that 13 schools in Shangla and 
Buner were set on fire despite the presence of troops and tribal 
lashkars in the area puts a big question mark on claims that all's 
well.  It is now clear that the areas have not yet been fully 
cleansed of the militants.  However, the militants have been 
weakened greatly, they are fighting amongst themselves and making 
false statements in desperation." 
 
"Why Silence Over Drone Attacks?," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(08/13) 
 
"No end is in sight as to when the U.S. drone attacks would be 
stopped. Ironically the Pakistan government, 'as per instructions' 
has even given up now the policy of the verbal protest on this 
issue. On the killing of Baitullah Mehsud, a few days back, our 
rulers expressed so much delight as if it was their own 
'achievement.'  If Baitullah was to blame for killing of innocent 
Pakistanis in suicide attacks, then can the murderer of hundreds of 
Pakistani citizens in drone attacks, while violating the territorial 
frontiers of the country as well, be termed as the friend of 
Pakistan.  The U.S. drone attacks are an open challenge to the 
sovereignty of Pakistan, as well as to our national honor. It is the 
responsibility of our government and the security forces to 
retaliate to this highhandedness in a befitting way." 
 
"The Reality Of Drone Attacks," an editorial in Karachi based 
Pro-Jihadi right-wing daily "Ummat" (Cir. 33,000) (08/13) 
 
"Drone attacks are killing numerous innocent Pakistani children and 
women. In a recent attack, fourteen people were killed, but nobody 
knows whether the victims were locals, foreigners or militants. 
There seems to be no end to these attacks which are gross violation 
of Pakistan's sovereignty, no one knows that how long this would 
continue?  After fighting of years, the U.S. national security 
advisor says that there were more than twenty thousand more Taliban 
in Pakistan, but several years ago when the military action was 
begun we were told that there were only a handful elements of 
Taliban but now the story is quite different.  The excuse to 
continue these strikes inside Pakistan is not much different from 
the pretext that the U.S. made to invade Afghanistan and Iraq." 
 
"Claims Of Success In The War On Terror; President Should Get The 
Drone Attacks Stopped Now," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) 
(08/13) 
 
"If as the government claims, peace has been restored to Swat, 
Malakand the operation must be stopped immediately; and the 
residents should be helped in reconstruction and development. 
Moreover, the President must make it clear to the U.S. that drone 
strikes are tantamount to an attack on our sovereignty and must be 
stopped immediately; the U.S. must also withdraw its troops from 
Afghanistan. It should counter and eliminate those who threaten its 
security on its own soil.  We cannot be a partner in a war of its 
[U.S.] interests." 
 
"A Challenge To Integrity," an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/13) 
 
"Through terrorist acts the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) wants to 
make it known that despite the government's claim of having crushed 
the militants they still remain a force to be dealt with.  Meanwhile 
there are reports of the TTP activists having assembled in the 
strategic Chagharzai which connects Swat and Buner with Shangla, 
Mansehra and Battagram districts.  There is a need under the 
circumstances to concentrate on consolidating the gains in Malakand 
Division before undertaking any other venture as is being suggested 
by President Zardari.  The momentum gained in the region must not be 
lost.  For this the remaining pockets of the militants have to be 
cleared and their leadership apprehended or neutralized.  Any 
perception of the initiative passing over to the militants is likely 
to nullify the gains made at great price in human and material 
terms." 
 
"Trivializing The Issue," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(08/13) 
 
"The government should not confound the issue further as this would 
give the Taliban spokesmen a chance to keep spreading what could 
well be disinformation.  If Baitullah Mehsud is dead - and there is 
a strong possibility that he is - the truth will come out sooner or 
later, claims and counterclaims notwithstanding.  Let the TTP choose 
his successor.  That will settle the issue.  The least Mr. Malik can 
do is to spare us his daily press talk that serves no purpose.  The 
media too should approach the issue with caution, for no newsperson 
was around for miles when the drone did the job." 
 
"America Should Stop These Gimmicks," an editorial in the popular 
rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (08/13) 
 
"The United States has said that the arrest of the former President 
Musharraf is an internal matter of Pakistan....  Washington had 
adopted the same policy regarding the military rule of General Ayub 
Khan and General Ziaul Haq notwithstanding the fact that all martial 
laws in Pakistan had been imposed in tacit support of the U.S. 
Moreover, the U.S. was the main beneficiary of all the military 
regimes of Pakistan.  Now, when the people of Pakistan are preparing 
to settle their scores with the recently-ousted dictator General 
Musharraf, Washington has once again started harping the same mantra 
of 'internal matter.' Nevertheless, not only Pakistan but the entire 
world knows that, even today, the U.S. is providing full support to 
General Musharraf. If the U.S. really respects Pakistan's 
sovereignty, as the U.S. officials always claim in their statements, 
then why does it (U.S.) not stop drone attacks?  Why do important 
U.S. officials visit Pakistan every other day?  Why has the U.S. 
Ambassador in Islamabad virtually been given the status of a Viceroy 
(a term that illustrates the all-powerful representative of the 
British crown during the colonial period)?" 
 
"The Future After Baitullah," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (08/13) 
 
"There have been many who have celebrated the death of Baitullah 
Mehsud - the man who had come to symbolize militancy and destruction 
in Pakistan....  Several questions now arise.  Is the death of 
Baitullah Mehsud - the man code-named 'Nasrat' -- truly an immense 
blow to militancy?  Will it now simply shrivel away and die - or is 
this an entirely unrealistic scenario?  The events that have 
immediately followed the death of Baitullah indicate that his TTP is 
now a fractured body.  It has been badly crippled by the loss of the 
leader who glued it together.  But the key still is whether this can 
be capitalized on by authorities." 
 
"Mehsud's Death," an op-ed by Ayaz Ahmed Khan in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/13) 
 
"There is no doubt that Mehsud's death would represent a significant 
victory in Pakistan's bid to eliminate terrorism.  Well funded and 
with over twenty thousand trained well equipped and motivated 
militant fighters, his motive was to destabilize the Pakistani 
polity and government.  He was responsible for over one hundred 
suicide bombings and scores of ambushes and attacks across 
Pakistan....  Mehsud was a top priority to be eliminated for the 
Pakistani and American establishments....  Although he was an 
elusive fighter, when you kill men, women and children ruthlessly 
and without mercy, you cannot escape Allah's punishment." 
 
"U.S. Imperialism 2.0," an op-ed by Ahmed Quraishi in the populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(08/13) 
 
"Pakistan's relationship with the U.S. remains rocky despite the 
recent reported assassination of Baitullah Mehsud....  Whether 
Baitullah Mehsud is dead or alive, there is little question that he 
was someone's asset....  So should we in Pakistan be grateful to CIA 
drones?  Hardly.  Our problems will persist as long as the unjust 
and mismanaged Afghan occupation continues.  What is stunning is how 
the Pakistani government is sanctioning the construction of probably 
the largest U.S. Embassy in the world in Islamabad.  In the past 
couple of weeks it has been reported that a security officer of the 
U.S. Embassy had a run-in with a Pakistani police officer in 
Islamabad. The diplomat reportedly cursed the country that is 
hosting him. And this is before 1,000 U.S. marines reach Islamabad 
to guard the new huge Embassy.  Pakistan's core contention with the 
U.S. persists: how the U.S. turned Afghanistan into a hub for 
anti-Pakistan forces from within and outside the region. 
U.S.-occupied Afghanistan is a source of destabilizing Pakistan, 
China, Iran and Russia.  We want excellent relations with the United 
States but an imperial-size diplomatic mission in the Pakistani 
capital is a wrong start." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Feierstein