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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002183 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports on national political subjects continued to 
dominate front pages in all newspapers on Thursday.  The English 
language newspaper "The News" and its sister Urdu publication, 
"Jang," highlighted Interior Minister Malik's remarks, made in an 
exclusive interview, that the "issue of hiring out 200 houses to 
Americans is being probed."  U.S. Admiral Mullen's remarks that "if 
U.S. citizens are attacked, and there's reliable information it 
originated in Pakistan, the United States will respond" received 
prominent display in several major newspapers.  Ambassador 
Patterson's Swat visit and her meeting with local officials to 
discuss the rehabilitation of IDPs also garnered media coverage. 
Some Urdu language newspapers ran Foreign Minister Qureshi's remarks 
refuting the establishment of a 'mini Pentagon' in Islamabad, as 
alleged by a religious political leader. Most major dailies also 
highlighted an official denial of an incident in which four school 
children were reportedly killed by Taliban militants. 
 
Editorializing the brutal killing of four schoolchildren in Orakzai 
Agency by Taliban militants, the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn," noted that "forced on to 
the back foot in the theater of war, the militants could try to blur 
the focus of the state by creating new law and order situations." 
However, the populist, often sensational national English daily "The 
News," observed that the "tragic shooting in Orakzai is a direct 
outcome of the failure to tackle problems when they occur, allowing 
them to grow terrifyingly in proportion."  Commenting on the recent 
drone strike, the pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam," wrote: "The 
criminal silence of our government and the political leadership at 
large on the killing of innocent and fasting people in North 
Waziristan, by the U.S. drone attacks, is spreading despondency in 
the entire Pakistani nation particularly the young people."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"U.S. To Respond If Attacked From Pakistan: Mullen; Islamabad Tops 
Washington's Priority List: Gates" "The Nation," "The Post" (09/10) 
 
"Of all the challenges and potential problems the United States 
faces, Pakistan tops the priority list, Defence Secretary Robert 
Gates said on Tuesday.  'Pakistan faces a lot of problems right 
now,' he said during an interview on PBS....  The Pakistani 
government also understands that if U.S. citizens are attacked, and 
there's reliable information it originated in Pakistan, the United 
States will respond, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who 
also was on the program, said." 
 
"U.S. Checks Up On Pak Military" "The Nation," "Daily Times" 
(09/10) 
 
"As part of the U.S. monitoring of Pakistan's military, U.S. 
Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, visited the militancy-hit 
Swat Valley on Wednesday and monitored the effectiveness of military 
operation 'Rah-e-Rast' by taking an aerial view through helicopter. 
Patterson also visited the Government Girls High School, Saidu 
Sharif, and met students there.  The U.S. Ambassador was also 
briefed by the military official about the ongoing military 
operation." 
 
"Pakistan Facing Unprecedented Challenges: U.S." "Dawn" (09/10) 
 
"A senior U.S. official described Pakistan on Wednesday as a country 
which faced unprecedented challenges and was of utmost strategic 
interest.  'Pakistan, it is difficult to imagine a country of such 
strategic importance - and a key ally of the United States - that 
faces a more daunting set of problems,' said Assistant Secretary 
Robert O. Blake.  Outlining the Obama administration's policy for 
South Asia, Mr. Blake told a gathering at Washington's Johns Hopkins 
University that the United States wanted to help Pakistan overcome 
the challenges it was facing." 
 
"U.S. Citizens Advised To Restrict Movement" "Pakistan Observer" 
(09/10) 
 
"The U.S. has asked its citizens and senior officers living in 
Pakistan to restrict their movement due to security reason ahead of 
9/11 anniversary, sources said." 
"U.S. Report Hails Pak Steps For Security Of Nuclear Arsenal" "The 
News" (09/10) 
 
"Pakistan has in recent years taken a number of steps to increase 
international confidence in the security of its nuclear arsenal, 
according to an updated U.S. Congressional Research Service 
report." 
 
"I think Osama's dead: Zardari" "Daily Times" (09/10) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari says it seems as if Al Qaeda Chief Usama 
Bin Laden is no longer alive, reported BBC on Wednesday.  Talking to 
the BBC World Service in Islamabad to mark his first year in office 
as President, Zardari said democracy was functioning in Pakistan, 
and the government was fighting militants with determination." 
 
"Pakistan Can Cope With India's N-Test, Says Qureshi" "Dawn" 
(09/10) 
 
"Pakistan is capable of protecting its interests if India carries 
out nuclear tests, says Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood 
Qureshi.  He was talking to reporters at the Foreign Office in 
Islamabad on Wednesday evening.  When asked how Pakistan would 
respond if India carried out nuclear tests, Mr. Qureshi said: 'We 
will analyze the situation and follow a policy that suits our 
interests.'" 
 
"Stolen NATO Devices Recovered" "Dawn" (09/10) 
 
"Hundreds of wireless sets stolen from NATO supply containers were 
seized during a raid on a warehouse in Quetta, the Superintendent of 
Police, Saddar, Dr. Farrukh, said on Wednesday.  He said three 
people had been arrested.  'Apart from wireless sets, the seized 
items include spare parts of wireless sets, computers and x-ray 
machines,' Dr. Farrukh said." 
 
"15 Militants Killed In Swat" "Dawn" (09/10) 
 
"Fifteen miscreants were killed during a search-and-cordon operation 
in Swat on Wednesday, the military said in a statement.  A large 
cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was seized during raids, it 
said.  According to the ISPR, 19 militants surrendered in Sarsenai, 
Shah Dhand Banda, Bar Shor, Galoch and Kala Kalley." 
 
"Shelling Forces People to Flee Area" "The News" (09/10) 
 
"More people migrated to safer places and neighboring Afghanistan as 
sporadic shelling by security forces on suspected hideouts of 
militants in the remote border areas in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand 
Agency continued for the second day on Wednesday." 
 
"Killing of Schoolchildren by Taliban Refuted: FATA Secretariat" 
"Jang" (09/10) 
 
"The media cell of the FATA Secretariat has rejected a report, 
published in various newspapers, that the Taliban have killed or 
injured some schoolchildren and termed it completely baseless. It 
may be some mischief of some anti-social elements, it said." 
 
"3 More Houses Demolished As Bara Operation continues" "The News" 
(09/10) 
 
"Three houses of tribesmen were demolished by the security forces as 
the operation against militants continued in Bara subdivision of 
Khyber Agency for the ninth consecutive day on Wednesday." 
 
"Militant Killed, Three Bodies Found" "The News" (09/10) 
 
"Three bodies of militants were found and another killed by Quami 
Lashkar at a check-post in Anjani area of Orakzai Agency Wednesday, 
tribal sources said." 
 
"Drones Fly Over Orakzai" "The News" (09/10) 
 
"Three U.S. drones flew over various parts of Orakzai Agency on 
Wednesday, eyewitness said.  Fear spread among the local residents 
to an extent that they did not proceed to the mosques for prayers to 
avoid any attack by the drones." 
 
"No Mini Pentagon Being Built In Islamabad: FM Qureshi" "Aaj Kal" 
(09/10) 
 
"...  Commenting on the JUI Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's remarks 
regarding the establishment of a 'mini Pentagon' in Islamabad, 
Foreign Minster Shah Mahmood Qureshi maintained that there is no 
truth in such reports regarding the establishment of a 'mini 
Pentagon' in Islamabad, nor Pakistan can permit any such plan.  Mr. 
Qureshi made it clear that China also didn't express any concern on 
this issue (expansion of U.S. Embassy) either.  Addressing an Iftar 
Dinner in honor of the media men at the Foreign Office in Islamabad, 
he said that no American official is coming to Pakistan without 
valid visa.   The Americans are acquiring a piece of land for the 
expansion of their diplomatic mission, but they will have to go to 
the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for this purpose, the 
Foreign Minister added." 
 
"Issue Of Hiring Out 200 Houses to Americans Being Probed: Malik" 
"The News" (09/10) 
 
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday said that he had issued 
a directive that no foreigner should be given a house without prior 
permission from the area police and district administration.  The 
security czar was responding to a question that foreigners, 
especially American nationals, have hired 200 houses in Islamabad. 
In a panel interview with 'The News' and daily 'Jang,' Rehman Malik 
said that he has asked the administration to hold an inquiry 
regarding the issue." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Orakzai Outrage," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/10) 
 
"Tuesday's tragedy in Orakzai offered further proof, as if any were 
needed, of the inherent barbarity that defines the Taliban.  They do 
not subscribe to the norms of civilized people and view Pakistani 
culture in its myriad forms with contempt and loathing.  Four boys, 
all of them reportedly under the age of 16, were on their way to 
school on Tuesday when they were shot dead by the Taliban....  What 
was their crime, how could the Taliban possibly view them as a 
threat?...  Such gruesome acts involving the targeting of civilians 
may be replicated if the Taliban continue to be pounded in their 
hideouts and on the battlefield.  Forced on to the back foot in the 
theatre of war, the militants could try to blur the focus of the 
state by creating new law and order situations.  Terrorizing the 
people of Pakistan, who are now thoroughly behind the military 
operation, may be another objective.  The biggest fear though is 
that the Taliban could try to stoke sectarian unrest to open a new 
front and take the pressure off themselves." 
 
"Death At School," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/10) 
 
"Four schoolboys were killed and several others injured when gunmen 
opened fire on them near their school....  The attack, carried out 
according to eyewitnesses by Taliban militants, is believed to be 
sectarian in nature.  The boys targeted were all Shia....  The 
indications of an expansion in sectarian violence across the tribal 
areas are alarming.  The Kurram Agency has already been ravaged by 
it....  The tragic shooting in Orakzai is a direct outcome of the 
failure to tackle problems when they occur, allowing them to grow 
terrifyingly in proportion....  A strategy which can rid people of 
the terror they inflict must be worked out." 
 
"Why Government And Political Leadership Silent On Drone Attacks?," 
an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/09) 
 
"The criminal silence of our government and the political leadership 
at large on the killing of innocent and fasting people in North 
Waziristan by U.S. drone attacks is spreading despondency throughout 
the nation, particularly among the young people. Ironically, the 
attitude of religious political parties, having countrywide popular 
support, regarding the massacre of innocent Pakistanis, including 
children, on a daily-basis is no different from that of the secular 
political parties.  The U.S. government will not review its drone 
policy unless our religious and political parties launch a unified, 
vigorous and countrywide popular movement to protest these attacks 
which are depriving Pakistan of its sovereignty." 
 
"Drone Attacks: 59 Deaths In 2 Days," an editorial note in the 
second largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (09/10) 
 
"The Taliban had announced a unilateral ceasefire, but bloodshed 
continues as the other side did not respond in a positive manner.... 
 Both sides should announce a ceasefire out of respect for Ramazan. 
They should resolve their issues at the table, because if they do 
so, it would send a signal to NATO and the U.S. that Pakistan stands 
united and there will then be no need to carry out drone attacks." 
 
"Predator Attacks," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/10) 
 
"The pity is that these (drone) attacks kill a large number of 
civilians and lead to a severe backlash swelling up the ranks of 
militants....  Since the missile strikes have proven to be highly 
counter-productive, an alternative that discourages the use of force 
must be found to restore calm and normalcy along the tribal belt. 
One must never forget that it is a struggle in which winning hearts 
and minds can make the crucial difference.  To combat the militant 
culture in the real sense of the term, the root causes of terrorism 
- poverty, ignorance and lack education - would have to be 
addressed." 
 
"U.S. Blows Hot And Cold On Pak Nukes," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (09/10) 
 
"There are many reasons for launching propaganda against Pakistan's 
strategic assets and some of them are aimed at seeking information 
about the security system, location, state of their readiness and to 
build international opinion that the country cannot ensure the 
security of its nukes.  However the U.S. Defence Secretary Robert 
Gates in an interview has expressed satisfaction with the security 
arrangements at Pakistan's nuclear arsenal saying that as per their 
assessment the security arrangements are sufficient and adequate. 
We are thankful to Secretary Gates for giving a clean chit to 
Pakistan on nuclear security issue....  However we expect that the 
intelligence agencies of the U.S. would keep the words of their 
Defence Secretary in mind in future while disclosing their 
assessment to the media about security of Pakistan's nuclear 
arsenal." 
 
"U.S. Shifts Into Positive Gear on Pakistan's Anti-Terror 
Successes," an op-ed by Murtaza Mohsin in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/10) 
 
"U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pakistani government 
has performed admirably ... in terms of the effort to take on these 
extremists in the NWFP and FATA....  It appears that with forceful 
action against terrorists, Pakistan can win back some of the U.S. 
public opinion in its favor.  But it is too early at this stage to 
build on these positive statements as signals of a significant shift 
in U.S. policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan.  What they signify is an 
encouragement from the U.S. leadership of Pakistan's strong-handed 
approach towards fighting Taliban/terrorists....  So the recent 
positive tenor in U.S. statements is a welcome development." 
 
"Possible Change In U.S. Policy," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (09/10) 
 
"For one, we can expect fresh calls for more vigorous and expanded 
operations against the militants, notwithstanding the current praise 
for the Swat mission.  Others' initiatives to ratchet up pressure, 
including allegations of Pakistan's tampering with U.S. supplied 
weapons are likely to become more frequent.  Secondly, there will be 
greater demand for transparency and accountability as regards aid 
for Pakistan.  Some evidence of this can already be gleaned from the 
many conditions being attached to aid for Pakistan....  Moreover, 
the (U.S.) administration has announced that most of its assistance 
to Pakistan would be spent on projects to be handled by U.S. 
agencies. This will greatly circumscribe the freedom with which U.S. 
aid money has been used in the past by authoritarian regimes.  All 
this means that it is incumbent on our leadership to begin an urgent 
review of our national policies, based on the assumption that the 
countdown for U.S. disengagement in Afghanistan has begun, 
notwithstanding the administration's protestations to the contrary." 
 
 
"Strong Nation And Feeble Leadership," an op-ed by Hamid Mir in the 
leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily 
"Jang" (cir. 300,000) (09/10) 
 
"You might have remembered that an advisor to the U.S. Army David 
Kilcullen had claimed in March 2009 that Pakistan could be 
disintegrated in the next six month.  Following this prediction, 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement that the 
Taliban could capture Islamabad.  These were the days when the 
United States was very annoyed over the peace deal between the Awami 
National Party (ANP) and Maulana Sufi Mohammad, and a media campaign 
was unleashed by the American newspapers against Pakistan. Neither 
the federal government nor the Taliban was serious about making the 
peace deal successful.  At last, the peace deal failed and a 
military operation was launched in Swat.  During the operation, the 
U.S. made utmost efforts to get permission from the Government of 
Pakistan for its (U.S.) troops to enter into the Pakistani tribal 
areas, but it didn't happen owing to hostile Pakistani public 
opinion.  More or less three million people were displaced because 
of this military operation.  The Taliban were not eliminated, nor 
was their leadership nabbed.  Six months have passed since Mr. David 
Kilcullen's prediction, but by the grace of God Pakistan is intact 
and undamaged.  The claim of the U.S. military advisor proved false. 
 The Taliban were not able to reach Islamabad, however Americans 
have hired two hundred houses in Islamabad.  The U.S. Embassy in 
Islamabad claims that these houses have been hired for its new 
staffers.  But the residents of Islamabad think that these houses 
will be used for the commandos of the American private security 
agency Blackwater.  Prime Minister Gilani says that Blackwater does 
not exist in Pakistan. Perhaps he (PM Gilani) is right, as according 
to a New York Times report, Blackwater has renamed itself in 
Pakistan.  I personally invite Prime Minister Gilani to make a 
surprise visit to the sectors of F-6, F-7 and F-8 of Islamabad, and 
inquire from the local residents whether they feel secure (in the 
presence of Americans or Blackwater) here.  Most of them will 
definitely tell PM Gilani that they are not afraid of the Taliban 
rather they feel threatened due to mysterious activities of 
Americans around them.  The same atmosphere prevails in Peshawar. 
 
If we look into this matter more closely, we will find that there 
was propaganda that Taliban would capture Islamabad and Peshawar. 
On the contrary, mysterious Americans are quite visible in these 
cities at present.  It will not be wrong to say that the motive 
behind David Kilcullen's declaration was to make the Pakistanis 
panic so that they would call the U.S. Army for their rescue, but 
when nothing happened, retired soldiers are being sent to Pakistan 
silently who work for a private security agency." 
 
"Ugly Reality Of 'War On Terrorism,'" an op-ed by Huzaima Bukhari 
and Dr. Ikramul Haq in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The 
Post" (cir. 5,000) (09/10) 
 
"Eight years after the wanton attack on New York's twin towers - 
masterly planned and executed to create a pretext to invade 
Afghanistan - majority believes that the United States and its 
allies have pushed the world into a frenzied quagmire.  The 
perpetuation of terrorism since 2001 - coupled with mishandling of 
the entire issue by U.S. and its allies - has been posing serious 
threat to international peace.  In the name of fighting terrorism, 
so-called proponents of 'peace,' 'democracy' and champions of human 
rights are colonizing oil and mineral rich countries, conspiring to 
topple some 'unwanted' governments and lending support to drug trade 
and mass acceptance of fascism in the name of reforming the world." 
 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson