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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 08, 2009 
 
Summary:  The visits of U.S. Deputy Secretary Jacob Lew, and a 
Congressional delegation led by Adam Smith continued to garner 
extensive media coverage on the second consecutive day. Prime 
Minister Gilani's statement urging United States to "expedite 
passage of Kerry-Lugar bill and Reconstruction Opportunities Zones 
bill by the Congress" received front page coverage in all major 
newspapers on Tuesday.  Newspapers also reported that the CODEL met 
with Army Chief General Kayani and Interior Minister Malik.  Reports 
of the Deputy Secretary Lew's visit to Peshawar, Mardan and his 
meetings with the senior NWFP officials and the Malakand IDPs were 
also highlighted.  The weekend editions of the newspapers 
front-paged U.S. Embassy's spokesman remarks "rejecting" allegations 
of U.S. involvement in the plane crash that killed former military 
President Ziaul Haq. 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on a host of subjects including 
the Prime Minister Gilani's remarks on the disbursement of the U.S. 
aid, prevailing sugar crisis, the Sri Lankan funding for terrorists 
and so forth.  The Karachi-based center-left independent national 
English daily "Dawn," noted that "Capitol Hill is in no mood for a 
repeat of the blank checks issued to the Musharraf regime."  The 
center-right national English daily "The Nation," advised that "what 
is needed on the part of the government is to learn to live within 
its means and get rid of its reliance of foreign aid.  It will 
otherwise continue to be dictated to on domestic and foreign 
policies."  Toeing the line, its Urdu sister newspaper, daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt," observed that "instead of requesting America to give 
the assistance directly to the government of Pakistan, the Prime 
Minister (Gilani) should have courage to tell everyone that Pakistan 
will neither receive aid from America or any other country, nor will 
we accept any plan or order against our national interest."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Gilani's Plea For Swift Passage Of U.S. Bills" "Dawn" (09/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called upon the United 
States on Monday to expedite passage of the Kerry-Lugar bill and 
Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZ) bill by the Congress for 
delivering the peace dividend by way of investments in health, 
industry and infrastructure sectors in Swat, Malakand and tribal 
regions.  Talking to a U.S. delegation comprising Congressmen Adam 
Smith and Bobby Neal and Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, he 
stressed the need for channeling disbursement of U.S. financial 
assistance through the established mechanism and institutions in 
Pakistan to save on administrative expenses on projects run by the 
USAID and NGOs." 
 
"U.S. Legislators Call On COAS" "Business Recorder" (09/08) 
 
"U.S. Congressman Adam Smith, Member of House Armed Services 
Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence along 
with Congressman Boby Bright and congress woman Gabrielle Giffords 
called on chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani 
on Monday at General Headquarters (GHQ).  The visiting dignitaries 
remained with the chief of Army Staff for some time and discussed 
matters of mutual interest." 
 
"U.S. Delegation Meets Rehman Malik; Exchanges Views Of Mutual 
Interest" "Jang" (09/08) 
 
"A U.S. Congressional delegation, led by Congressman Adam Smith, 
called on Minister for Interior Rehman Malik in Islamabad.  The 
bilateral relations between the U.S. and Pakistan and matters of 
mutual interest were discussed in the meeting." 
 
"CM Tells U.S. Team Malakand People Awaiting Compensation" "The 
News" (09/08) 
 
"NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has said the morale of the 
people of Malakand is high, however, they are waiting for the 
reconstruction of their wrecked houses and compensation for other 
losses.  He expressed this while talking to a U.S. delegation, which 
met him under Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and 
Management, Mr. Jacob J. Lew, in Peshawar on Monday, says an 
official communication." 
"Owais Briefs U.S. Delegation About IDPs Rehabilitation Process" 
"The Nation" (09/08) 
 
"The visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and 
Management Jacob J. Lew accompanied by an eight-member delegation on 
Monday called on the NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani at Governor's 
House, Peshawar and exchanged views on the prevailing situation in 
the region with special reference to the prospects for restoration 
of peace and normalcy.  The delegation, which also included U.S. 
Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, took keen interest in the ongoing 
measures for rehabilitation of internally displaced persons as well 
as ensuring sustainable economic development in the terror-hit 
areas." 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Visits Gadoon Industrial Zone, ROZs Discussed" "The 
News" (09/08) 
 
"Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to Pakistan, Anne 
¶W. Patterson, leading a high level delegation, on Monday paid a 
visit to Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate with respect to observe the 
prospects of U.S. sponsored Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs). 
The U.S. envoy visited different sections of the industrial zone and 
also paid a detailed visit to Saif Textile Mills.  Later, the U.S. 
Ambassador attended a meeting held at the Saif Textile Mills in 
regard to holding a discussion with industrialists about the setting 
up of ROZs in the area.  During the meeting, U.S. Ambassador 
apprised the participants that the government of United States 
wanted to set up ROZs in different industrial areas of Pakistan for 
providing easy access for the country's goods to American markets." 
 
 
"U.S. Denies Role In Zia Plane Crash" "Daily Times" (09/07) 
 
"The U.S. on Sunday rejected allegations that it was in any way 
involved in the plane crash that killed former president General 
Ziaul Haq and several top Pakistani officials.  U.S. Embassy 
spokesman Richard Snelsire denied former Intelligence Bureau Chief 
Brig (R) Imtiaz Ahmed's claims that the U.S. was behind the crash, 
adding that, '[other] allegations that the U.S. tried to influence 
or stall the investigations are baseless and untrue.  We reject all 
such allegations.'  'Dunya TV' quoted U.S. Embassy sources as saying 
that since a U.S. official was also killed in the crash, it was in 
their interest to get to the bottom of this mystery." 
 
"U.S. Satisfied With Pakistan's Nuclear Security: Gates" "Dawn" 
(09/08) 
 
"The United States is satisfied with the security of Pakistan's 
nuclear arsenal, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an 
interview with Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite news channel, 
according to a transcript, calling the arrangements in place 
'sufficient and adequate.'" 
 
"No More Organized Resistance In Swat: ISPR" "The News" (09/08) 
 
"Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major 
General Athar Abbas on Monday said organized resistance in Swat and 
Malakand has come to an end and the remaining terrorists and 
miscreants are on the run." 
 
"2 Foreigners Among 7 Killed In Drone Hits" "The News" (09/08) 
 
"Seven persons including two foreign militants were killed and same 
number of others injured in drone missile strikes by a CIA-operated 
US spy plane in Machikhel village in the Mirali subdivision of the 
restive North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on Monday evening, official 
and tribal sources told 'The News' from Mirali by telephone." 
 
"10 Militants Killed, Houses Of LI Leaders, Supporters Razed" "The 
News" (09/08) 
 
"Security forces claimed killing 10 more militants and demolishing a 
dozen houses owned by the banned Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) leaders and 
their supporters in different areas of the Bara subdivision of 
Khyber Agency on the seventh day of the operation." 
 
Roadside Blast Kills Five Soldiers In South Waziristan Agency" "The 
News" (09/08) 
 
"Five soldiers were killed and four others sustained injuries when a 
roadside remote-controlled bomb planted by militants went off in the 
Zariban Kot area in Tiarza Tehsil of South Waziristan Agency on 
Monday." 
 
"Balochistan Cantonment Plan Put On Hold" "Dawn" (09/08) 
 
"In a move that might lower political temperature in strife-ridden 
Balochistan, the government on Monday said work on setting up 
cantonments in the province was being put on hold.  Disclosing the 
major move, the Balochistan Chief Minister said a formal 
announcement about abandoning the construction of cantonments and 
several relief measures would soon be made by Prime Minister Yousuf 
Raza Gilani during his visit to the province." 
 
"Confidential Report Sent To The Federal Government Regarding 200 
Houses In Islamabad Being Used By Americans" "Khabrain" (09/08) 
 
"A confidential intelligence report on the U.S. Embassy's rental of 
over 200 houses in Islamabad has been sent to the Federal 
Government.  The report talks of American officials activities in 
these houses and houses location in various sectors." 
 
"Black-Water In Pakistan: Intelligence Agencies Submit Report To 
Government" "Business Recorder" (09/08) 
 
"The intelligence agencies of Pakistan have provided a detailed 
report on about 200 houses, acquired by the U.S. Embassy in 
different areas of the Federal capital, including the houses taken 
on rent by the Black-water World-wide, informed sources said in 
Islamabad on Monday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"American Aid," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/08) 
 
 
"We are the ones asking for aid and the U.S. has every right to 
decide how it should spend its money....  Still, it needs to be 
asked whether the best efforts of top professionals may not produce 
better results than those of low-paid government functionaries.  Or 
could it be that local people best understand local concerns?  A 
middle ground has to be found, for close cooperation is essential if 
the greater good is to be achieved.  Donors have learned from the 
'90s and are unlikely to throw money at the kind of fly-by-night 
NGOs that used to crop up like a rash whenever any development 
project was floated.  The government, for its part, must make an 
honest assessment of its capacity and present a detailed plan of 
operation that will satisfy lawmakers in the U.S.  Capitol Hill is 
in no mood for a repeat of the blank checks issued to the Musharraf 
regime." 
 
"Disbursing U.S. Aid," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/08) 
 
"Washington insists on disbursing a large portion of the [$1.5 
billion] assistance through NGOs.  Prime Minister Gilani's argument 
against using the NGO conduit is that it involves out of proportion 
administrative expenses to the extent of 35 to 40 percent.  Others 
who object to the NGOs' involvement maintain that as U.S. agencies 
would pick and choose the NGOs for the purpose, this would provide 
undue leverage to Washington on civil society....  The argument 
generally given in favor of diverting aid through the NGOs is that 
there is rampant corruption in government departments....  In the 
final analysis the beggars cannot be choosers.  In the past also a 
portion of the aid has gone back to the U.S. in lieu of the 'buy 
America' policy and as payments to U.S. advisers and functionaries. 
What is more the aid has never been without strings.  What is needed 
on the part of the government is to learn to live within its means 
and get rid of its reliance of foreign aid.  It will otherwise 
continue to be dictated on domestic and foreign policies." 
 
"Getting Rid Of U.S. Debts Is The Only Dignified Way Out," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (09/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has stressed in a meeting with 
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and Management Jacob J. 
Lew that America should distribute aid to Pakistan via Pakistani a 
government mechanism as aid disbursement through NGO's increases the 
expenses by 35-40 percent....  Instead of requesting America to give 
the assistance directly to the government of Pakistan, the Prime 
Minister should have courage to tell everyone that we will neither 
receive aid from America or any other country nor will we accept any 
plan or order against our national interest....  The time has come 
for us to introduce austerity in our lives and block plans to turn 
U.S. Embassy into a military base and banish Black-water operatives 
and instruments of Jews and Hindus from Pakistan." 
 
"Distribution Of U.S. Aid Through NGOs," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (09/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's standpoint on American aid 
distribution through American institutions and Pakistani NGOs echoes 
the sentiments of Pakistani nation....  This aspect of the American 
aid is preposterous that out of $1.5 billion the government will 
practically get $300 million while the rest of the amount will go to 
the agencies and NGOs....  America should be asked to form a 
monitoring team comprising representatives of U.S. and Pakistan 
administrations to oversee the aid distribution and welfare 
projects." 
 
"U.S. Needs Image Improvement," an editorial in the Islamabad-based 
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (09/08) 
 
"The controversy about tragedy of mid-air crash that killed the then 
President Ziaul Haq on August 17, 1988 has also resurfaced with 
statements and counter statements on the cause of the crash and who 
was behind.  Prominent politician and son of the late President - 
Ijaz-ul-Haq - is alleging that the United States forcefully stopped 
the probe into the incident and his assertion has been corroborated 
by an ex-master spy Brig (Retd) Imtiaz Ahmad....  The U.S. mission 
in Islamabad has come out with a strong denial emphasizing that the 
country was not behind scrapping of the investigations into the 
unfortunate incident....  In our view, the claim of the U.S. Embassy 
might be right but the fact remains that there is a general 
impression in Pakistan that the U.S. was behind the Bahawalpur 
crash....  Anyhow, leaving this aside, we may ask the U.S. to give 
serious consideration to the phenomenon i.e. why in Pakistan or for 
that matter in rest of the world wrongs are attributed to the U.S." 
 
 
"Afghan Elections And Expansion In The U.S. Operation," an editorial 
in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) 
(09/08) 
 
"There are hints coming from Washington that America is thinking of 
expanding the operation against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and 
extending it to Pakistani tribal areas....  Recent U.S. statements 
had been making it clear that America's real targets are those 
leaders of al-Qaeda who are hiding in Pakistan....  If America wants 
peace in the region then it should trust political process and 
democracy instead of relying on more troops, weapons and war plans." 
 
 
"Evaluating The Swat Test," an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (09/08) 
 
"In addition to regaining control of the region, Operation 
Rah-e-Rast's accompanying goal has been to restore public confidence 
in the law enforcement agencies and the civil administration so as 
to create an environment unfavorable to the free movement of 
insurgents and inhospitable to the re-emergence of militancy.... 
The establishment of hybrid security arrangement and conclusion of 
the stabilization phase will dictate the army's ability to gradually 
withdraw from the area, leaving behind a permanent garrison.  Just 
as imposing in the recovery phase are the 'build and rehabilitate' 
challenges which also involve putting in place sustainable local 
governance and justice systems.  The outlook here is uncertain as 
the civilian complement to the military operation has yet to come 
into energetic play." 
 
"Is America Our Friend?," an op-ed by Rasul Bakhsh Rais in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (09/08) 
 
"The United States has come to occupy a central position in the 
strategic environment of Afghanistan and Pakistan.  This may not be 
an ideal situation for us but that is the reality.  Our rational 
self-interest in this situation dictates that we help rebuild a 
stable Afghanistan, help end the war and deepen our relationship 
with the United States, taking it beyond the contingencies of 
Afghanistan. There is genuine interest in the U.S. and other world 
capitals in stabilizing and normalizing Pakistan by giving it a 
democratic and developmental orientation.  It depends on us how best 
we leverage our position and advance our national interests." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson