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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002353 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 
 
Summary:  Prime Minister Gilani's remarks reiterating that "nobody 
should try to instruct Pakistan on how it should conduct the war on 
terror" received extensive front-page coverage in almost all 
newspapers on Tuesday.  Some major newspapers also highlighted 
Interior Minister Malik's comments that the "U.S. would not be 
allowed to carry out drone attacks in Balochistan at any cost." 
Secretary Clinton's statement declaring "anti-Taliban operation in 
Swat and Malakand division as absolute success" also garnered media 
attention.  Several Urdu language newspapers reported that 
Ambassador Patterson called on MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) 
leaders in Islamabad.  In an exclusive story, the English language 
daily, "The News," and its Urdu sister publication, daily "Jang," 
reported from New York that "President Zardari is said to have met 
former military President Musharraf secretly."  Reports of 
extradition of two sons of top Yemeni Al Qaeda leader Alawi to Saudi 
Arabia were also highlighted. 
 
Most major newspapers ran in-depth editorials on the reported 
"stalemate" between Pakistan and India following the meeting between 
their foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UNGA session in New 
York.  In its editorial, the Lahore-based liberal English language 
newspaper, "Daily Times," observed that "at a time when India is 
quite clearly uninterested in talking, Pakistan too needs to rethink 
whether it wants a dialogue with India which, like previous such 
rounds, is likely to trail off into nothingness."  The prestigious 
English language daily, "Dawn," too noted that "it seems the freeze 
in relations is set to continue for the foreseeable future." 
Commenting on the The Sunday Times story about the alleged U.S. plan 
to launch drone attacks on Quetta, the second largest, nationalist 
Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," expressed its concern and urged the 
government to "reject all U.S. plans, strings and demands."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Gilani's No To Foreign Dictation In War On Terror" The News" 
(09/29) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday reiterated his 
government's stance that Pakistan was fighting the war against 
terrorism for its own stability, not as a proxy war of any other 
country.  'Pakistan knows well what strategy will be better in the 
war against terrorism and does not need to take dictations from 
others,' he said while talking to reporters in Islamabad." 
 
"Gilani: Laser-Guided Munitions Exhausted" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"Pakistan has exhausted most of its laser-guided munitions in 
anti-militant operations in Malakand and Fata regions, according to 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.  Talking to a delegation of the 
French Senate here on Monday, Mr. Gilani called for 
capacity-building of security agencies and said that there was an 
urgent need to replace crucial accessories.  The country needed 
night vision devices, helicopters and drone technology, the prime 
minister added." 
 
"Balochistan Declared Off Limits; Will Keep U.S. Out, At Any Cost; 
Omar Is In Kandahar; U.S. Embassy Allowed 264 Houses In Capital: 
Malik" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said the U.S. 
would not be allowed to carry out drone attacks in Balochistan at 
any cost. He rejected reports about the presence of Afghan Taliban 
Chief Mullah Omar in Quetta as incorrect and baseless, saying that 
he was in Kandahar.  He made it clear that Osama bin Laden and 
Mullah Omar were not present in Pakistan.  He urged the United 
States and Europe to provide information to Pakistan, if they have 
any.  'Over and again this topic has been coming up.  But the Quetta 
Shura according to us does not exist,' he told Reuters in an 
interview in London....  He said the U.S. Embassy had been allowed 
to purchase 264 houses in Islamabad, adding no U.S. Marines were 
present in the country." 
 
"Swat Operation Successful: Clinton" "Daily Times" (09/29) 
 
"Terming the anti-Taliban operation in Swat and Malakand division 
'absolutely successful,' U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
said Islamabad had demonstrated increased commitment in the fight 
against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.  In an interview with CBS News, 
Clinton also foresaw continuation of 'close coordination' with 
Pakistan in the fight against Taliban." 
 
"Ambassador Patterson Calls On MQM Leaders Farooq Sattar, Baber 
Ghauri"  "Jang" (09/29) 
 
"U.S Ambassador in Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, on Monday called on 
two Federal Ministers belonging to the MQM (Muthidda Qaumi 
Movement), Dr. Farooq Sattar and Baber Khan Ghauri, well-informed 
sources said here on Tuesday.  This meeting, which lasted for two 
hours, was held at the residence of Dr. Farooq Sattar at the 
Parliament Lodges in Islamabad." 
 
"President Zardari Meets Musharraf Secretly" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"Visiting President Asif Ali Zardari is said to have met former 
President Gen. (R) Pervez Musharraf near New York....  According to 
sources, American patrons of President Zardari and Pervez Musharraf 
arranged their meeting.  However, sources close to the President 
rejected the report on secret meeting between Zardari and 
Musharraf." 
 
"Al Qaeda Leader's Sons Sent To Saudi Arabia" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"Pakistan has handed over to Saudi Arabia two sons Ali and Siddique 
of top Yemeni Al Qaeda leader Alawi who masterminded the suicide 
attack on Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Prince Mohammad bin Nayef 
in Jeddah last month, sources told 'Dawn.'" 
 
"No Decision On Waziristan Operation Yet: Malik" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"Pakistan has yet to decide whether it should launch a full-scale 
military operation in Waziristan to tackle the Taliban, Interior 
Minister Rehman Malik told Reuters in an interview in London on 
Sunday." 
 
"Tougher Terror Laws On Anvil" "The Nation" (09/29) 
 
"The PPP-led ruling coalition is on the verge of introducing major 
changes in the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 in order to help facilitate 
law enforcement agencies as well as courts to effectively curb the 
scourge of 
Terrorism, well-placed government sources told 'The Nation' on 
Monday." 
 
"Despite Denials, Blackwater Controversy Refuses To Fade Away" "The 
News" (09/29) 
 
"The issue of Blackwater or its successor firm, Xe Worldwide, 
refuses to go away despite denials by the U.S. and Pakistani 
authorities about its presence in Pakistan.  However, many people 
including the Deputy Leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan and 
former senior NWFP Minister, Sirajul Haq, have a different 
viewpoint.  He alleged that Blackwater or Xe Worldwide has not only 
set up its headquarters in University Town, but a building had 
recently been constructed for it in Mohmand Agency." 
 
"Three FATA Ministers, Two Secretaries Resign" "Daily Times" 
(09/29) 
 
"Three Federal Ministers and two Parliamentary Secretaries from FATA 
quit their offices on Monday, and handed over their resignations to 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at a meeting in Islamabad in 
protest at the 'killing of innocent people, the deteriorating law 
and order situation, the federal government's unfulfilled 
commitments and the misconduct of NWFP Governor Owais Ghani.'" 
 
"Zawahiri Praises Baitullah" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman Al Zawahiri says the death of 
Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud will only add fuel to the 
fighting against western forces in the region.  Zawahiri's 28-minute 
audio eulogy of Mehsud appeared on militant websites on Monday.  He 
praised Mehsud for establishing a Jihadi movement against the U.S. 
and allied forces and challenging the Pakistani army." 
 
"Pro-Govt. Peace Body Head Killed In Suicide Attack - 3 Guards Also 
Die; Maulana Hakim Had Split From Taliban" "The News" (09/29) 
"A suicide bomber riding an explosives-laden vehicle killed the 
Chief of the pro-government Bakkakhel Peace Committee, along with 
three others, on the Bannu-Miramshah Road on Monday.  The target of 
the suicide bombing was the leader of the anti-Taliban Bakkakhel 
Peace Committee Maulana Abdul Hakim.  He had reportedly split from 
the Taliban militants after differing with them over carrying out 
attacks in Bakkakhel and Janikhel areas, both part of the Frontier 
Region (FR) Bannu." 
 
"2 Soldiers, 15 Militants Killed In Waziristan" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"Two soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded in a rocket attack 
by south Waziristan-based militants on their camp in Razmak in North 
Waziristan Agency on Monday.  In retaliation, the security forces 
targeted militants' positions in Makeen mountains, killing 15 of 
them and injuring seven others, military officials said." 
 
"Anti-Taliban Cleric Killed In Bannu" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"Chief of Bakakhel Peace Committee Maulana Abdul Hakim and his three 
colleagues were killed and a woman passerby was injured when his car 
was hit by an explosives-laden vehicle in Bannu Frontier Region on 
Monday.  According to some witnesses it was a suicide attack." 
 
"3 Militants Killed In Swat" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"Three militants were killed in a clash with the security forces 
backed by a local Lashkar in Kanju area on Monday, official sources 
said." 
 
"Five Militants Held In Bajaur" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"Security forces claimed to have arrested five militants and 
destroyed their several hide-outs, besides seizing a huge quantity 
of arms and vehicles during search operation in different areas of 
Nawagai tehsil in Bajaur Agency on Monday." 
 
"25 Held, Four Houses Razed" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"Security forces claimed 25 suspects were arrested and four houses 
of militants were demolished during a search operation in Palai In 
Malakand Agency on Monday, eyewitnesses and official sources said." 
 
"Suspected drone strike near Mir Ali" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"Late Monday, a missile struck the village of Essori close to the 
town of Mir Ali in North Waziristan tribal region, a witness in the 
village said.  It is very rare for the attacks not to cause any 
casualties." 
 
"Govt. Desperate For $1 Billion Budgetary Support, Or Else Budget 
Goes For A Six" "The News" (09/29) 
 
"In a new development, Pakistan has asked the Obama administration 
to provide at least $1 billion for budgetary support and Finance 
Minister Shaukat Tarin has put up the case with the authorities 
concerned in Washington.  'Right now we are not aware of the outcome 
of talks between Shaukat Tarin and U.S. authorities in Washington, 
but it is 100 per cent sure that this issue has been taken up,' a 
senior official at the Finance Ministry told 'The News.' 
 
"Trust To Be Set Up For Utilizing U.S. funding" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"The Federal Government has decided to set up a trust fund for 
development of the NWFP and FATA with the financial assistance of 
the United States as approved under the Kerry-Lugar bill.  The 
proposed 'Trust Fund for Development of NWFP and FATA' would be 
governed through a board of trustees that would decide projects and 
look after all their financial affairs, said NWFP Governor Awais 
Ahmad Ghani in Peshawar on Monday." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill Passed By U.S. Senate - Not Against National 
Interest: Govt." "Daily Times" (09/29) 
 
"Dispelling the impression about restrictions imposed on the U.S. 
Aid to Pakistan in the recently passed Kerry-Lugar Bill, Minister of 
State for Information Syed Samsam Ali Bokhari on Monday said there 
was nothing in the bill against the country's interests." 
 
"PML-N Asks Govt. To Present Kerry-Lugar Bill In Parliament" "The 
News" (09/29) 
 
"The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Monday asked the government to 
present details of the conditions attached to the Kerry-Lugar Bill 
before Parliament to seek confidence of the sovereign elected body. 
'The PML-N has strong reservations over certain conditions of the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill as under one condition, the U.S. intelligence 
agencies will have access to Pakistan's nuclear program,' PML-N 
central spokesman Ahsan Iqbal told a press conference in 
Islamabad." 
 
"Haqqani Asks Critics Of Pak-U.S. Ties To Be Realistic" "Daily 
Times" (09/29) 
 
"The critics of Pakistan's relations with the United States need to 
examine the ground realities of the situation, Pakistan's Ambassador 
to the U.S. Hussain Haqqani said on Monday.  In a brief telephonic 
conversation with a television channel, the Ambassador said the U.S. 
was the sole super power of the contemporQ world and it was not 
possible for any country to influence its polices.  TheQople who 
are criticizing the recently passed KQy-Luger bill have not 
studied the document in detail, he said." 
 
"More U.S. Troops May Destabilize Pakistan: Kerry" "The News" 
website (09/29) 
 
"Democratic U.S. Senator John Kerry said on Monday that President 
Obama and the Congress should not automatically grant the top U.S. 
military commander in Afghanistan's request for more troops.... 
Kerry wrote in an opinion column published in the Wall Street 
Journal.  Kerry said that ramping up U.S. troops levels in 
Afghanistan might stabilize that country, but might not stabilize 
Pakistan, and 'chaos there could put nuclear weapons in the hands of 
terrorists.'" 
 
"Gilani, Singh Likely To Meet In November" "Dawn" (09/29) 
 
"There's a strong possibility that Indian and Pakistani prime 
ministers could meet on the sidelines of the Commonwealth heads of 
government meeting, which is scheduled in late November in Trinidad, 
diplomatic sources told 'Dawn.'" 
 
"Pakistan Hasn't Modified U.S. Missiles" "Daily Times" (09/29) 
 
"Denying reports that Pakistan has illegally modified the 
US-supplied Harpoon anti-ship missile to enable them to strike land 
targets in India, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nauman Bashir on 
Monday said Pakistan had fulfilled all the agreements it has signed 
with other countries." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Indo-Pak Dialogue: Some Basic Questions," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (09/29) 
 
"A re-examination of the regional status quo among the stakeholders 
in Pakistan must be conducted before resuming talks with India.  If 
disputes are not settled, as they are unlikely to since India, for 
the most part does not even accept them as disputes, what are 
Pakistan's options?  Since the talks will not happen in a vacuum, 
attention must be paid to global opinion about this issue.  If the 
'composite' dialogue ran out of wind despite the bilateral 
'equalization' of the nuclear test in 1998, will it start breathing 
now when the world is siding with India?  Simply wanting to talk 
means nothing.  And at a time when India is quite clearly 
uninterested in talking, Pakistan too needs to rethink whether it 
wants a dialogue with India which, like previous such rounds, is 
likely to trail off into nothingness.  Talks become meaningful only 
when either both or all parties are interested in give and take or 
one party is clearly a winner and can dictate terms.  Neither of 
these conditions obtains in the case of India and Pakistan." 
 
"Stalemate," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/29) 
 
"To no one's surprise, the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of 
PakisQ and India, on the sidelines of the annual UN General 
Assembly gathering has failed to break the impasse in relations 
between the two countries....  With no further talks between senior 
officials of the countries scheduled (though there is a possibility 
of the Prime Ministers meeting during the Commonwealth Summit in 
Trinidad in November), it seems the freeze in relations is set to 
continue for the foreseeable future....  Amidst the frustration and 
angst, perhaps the foremost lesson for Pakistan is this: when 
Pakistan and India finally do re-engage - and this is inevitable 
given the outstanding issues between the two countries - Pakistan 
should demand that the big issues, Kashmir, water, Afghanistan, etc, 
should be ad dressed up front.  There is little point any more in 
going 'small' and dealing with peripheral issues first because years 
of the composite dialogue have proved that engagement on those 
issues counts for nought." 
 
"Suspended Motion," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/29) 
 
"The holdup in the dialogue process is unfortunate....  Is it fair 
to hold this up as a means to keep up the pressure on Pakistan that 
has been forcefully exerted since last year? This is something for 
the Indian government to ponder. It seems obvious that at the 
present time it is on the one hand calling for progress in talks 
with Pakistan and on the other refusing to move forward on the 
Mumbai issue.  Greater flexibility is needed.  Pakistan too must 
consider its own strategy.  Quite independently from the Indian 
pressure it faces, it must ask itself if certain persons who it is 
alleged are involved in militancy truly enjoy protection and if so 
why....  The talks need to continue so that attempts can be made to 
find lasting peace in the region.  After all, only when this happens 
will terrorism be delivered the fatal blow needed to vanquish it 
forever." 
"Agreement To Make Indo-Pak Talks Productive," an editorial in 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (09/29) 
 
"In a situation where relations between the two countries India and 
Pakistan are already marred by doubts, starting back-channel 
diplomacy may lead to further misunderstanding.  Hence, the need is 
to adopt a clear path so that the nation can also be kept aware of 
the facts and decide how far the government is representing national 
aspirations as it tries to resolve longstanding bilateral issues." 
 
"U.S. Plan To Launch Drone Attacks On Quetta," an editorial in the 
second largest nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir.125,000) 
(09/29) 
 
"The British newspaper, The Sunday Times has claimed that America 
has sought Pakistan's permission to begin U.S. drone attacks on 
Quetta.  According to the paper, America has told Pakistan that 
Mullah Umar and Taliban Shura leaders are hiding in Quetta, and that 
they will be targeted through land and air attacks....  The reporter 
of the Sunday Times, who did the story, is considered a friend of 
Benazir Bhutto.  The author of Waiting for Allah, Christina Lamb is 
still close to PPP leadership.  On the basis of the information 
gathered from the Pentagon and other organizations, the reporter has 
exposed the U.S. designs and has also unveiled the hidden objectives 
behind aid to Pakistan through the Kerry-Lugar Bill.  The story has 
given the impression that the government and the Pakistan Army's 
leadership do not have agreement on the Kerry-Lugar Bill conditions. 
 Therefore, Pakistan should reject all the U.S. plans, strings and 
demands which are contrary to our sovereignty and national 
security." 
 
"U.S. War On Pakistan," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/29) 
 
"The U.S. design to destabilize Pakistan is becoming clearer by the 
day, even for the most blinkered Pakistani.  As the U.S. continues 
to be stalemated in Afghanistan, it has sought to move the centre of 
gravity of the 'war on terror' to Pakistan.  Initially it was 
assumed that this shift would be restricted to FATA, but now it is 
evident that the U.S. is seeking to engulf the whole of Pakistan in 
an asymmetric conflict, which will eventually pit the people against 
the state, especially the military....  How far is our military 
prepared to accommodate the U.S. desire to undermine the country's 
sovereignty?  After all, the drones will push the separatists closer 
to their goal, while the U.S. will think it can move towards its 
concept of Greater Balochistan through the breakup of Pakistan and 
Iran....  For those who had failed to connect the dots to the U.S. 
grand design of targeting Pakistan a year ago, it should be easier 
today.  There are covert U.S. operatives now spread across the 
length and breadth of Pakistan; drone attacks have increased in 
frequency since Obama took office; aid packages are demanding 
unacceptable conditionalities....  A disturbing question that comes 
to mind is whether the delay on the Balochistan package has to do 
with U.S. intent in that province?" 
 
"South Waziristan And Balochistan: Government Should Take The Nation 
Into Confidence," an editorial in the leading mass circulation 
populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) 
(09/29) 
 
"The possible U.S. airstrikes on Quetta will further strengthen the 
anti-America sentiments among the Pakistani masses who will consider 
it a direct attack on the freedom, security and sovereignty of their 
country.  Pakistan has time and again complained against the Indian 
interference in its insurgency-hit province, Balochistan.  The 
government should ask the Obama administration to use its clout on 
New Delhi to stop this interference.  It should also take the nation 
on board regarding the latest U.S. threat, and should make it clear 
that it would never allow any American military strike on Quetta or 
on tribal areas of FATA." 
 
"U.S. Should Be Stopped From Launching An Attack On Quetta" an 
editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily 
"Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (09/29) 
 
"We must stop and think about the kind of treatment U.S. is meting 
out to us.  Half of our country would become a battleground if the 
U.S. starts a military operation in Balochistan.  How long will our 
patriotic army continue to wage a war of U.S. interests?...  If we 
want to save the country from unrest, we must warn America to desist 
from launching any kind of operation in Balochistan. Time will 
quickly slip out of our hands if we keep silent." 
 
"Nation Should Rise Against Bombing Of Quetta," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (09/29) 
 
"The dangers are looming large and the deliberate leak about bombing 
of Quetta is not a hollow warning if one takes into account other 
related developments and the growing shift in the US policy 
vis-`-vis the war on terrorism.  Alarm bells should have rung much 
before in the power circles in Pakistan as Quetta and Muridke have 
clearly been mentioned in the Kerry-Lugar Bill....  Americans have 
long been planning something nefarious about Balochistan and that is 
why they are extending tacit support to Indian interference there. 
Not only that, there are also reports that they have been launching 
operations against Iran from the soil of Balochistan as a result of 
which misunderstanding mars otherwise good relations between 
Pakistan and brotherly Iran....  Under these circumstances, it is 
time that the nation gets united to ward off the danger and foil 
designs of those who want to destabilize nuclear Pakistan as part of 
their long-term agenda." 
 
"New U.S. Threat," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (09/29) 
 
"The free movement of drones inside Pakistan's territory has 
emboldened the violators to continue their attacks.  If this 
situation continues any more, then there are chances that there 
could be attacks on other cities on the pretext of searching for 
Mullah Omar and the Taliban leadership....  This would not be 
beneficial to any party, as it would only strike a blow to the 
efforts for the war on terror....  The need for the government of 
Pakistan is to take a bold stand on this issue.  It is advisable 
that Parliament should debate this issue and pass a unanimous 
resolution, sending strong signals to the world that we will not 
take attack on our sovereignty lying down." 
 
"More Mayhem," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/29) 
 
"The Taliban have demonstrated they remain fully capable of striking 
at will.  Within days, we have seen them in action in Peshawar and 
in Bannu - where two strikes have taken place within days of each 
other....  The ruthless young leader of the Taliban is quite 
evidently eager to assert his authority and to demonstrate that the 
death of Baitullah Mehsud can make no difference to the 
organization.  The path he has chosen makes several things obvious. 
One is that we cannot afford to be complacent.  The Taliban remain a 
dangerous force, capable of causing a great deal of damage.  The war 
begun against them must continue.  There can be no letup.  It is 
also apparent that this war can be won only through armed action. 
There is simply no other way.  Taken forward logically this also 
means that sooner, rather than later, there will have to be a 
campaign in Waziristan - the area that remains the principal 
stronghold of the militants....  A strategy needs to be drawn up to 
proceed step by step, and by doing so ensure we can move into a 
future in which militants are not able to ravage cities and claim 
dozens of innocent lives." 
 
"Tragedy And Celebrations," an op-ed by Rahimullah Yusufzai in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (09/29) 
 
"The material losses suffered by common people in the Peshawar and 
Bannu suicide bombings could run into millions of rupees.  The 
government has no system or means to compensate those suffering such 
huge losses.  It should come up with some system of compensation as 
the material losses suffered by people in terrorist attacks and 
military operations are now a common occurrence.  Failure to do so 
would contribute to frustration among those affected and add to the 
number of people harboring a grudge against the government....  The 
rising poverty, bad governance, deteriorating law and order 
situation, lost livelihoods due to violence caused by militancy and 
military operations, long hours of curfews in the conflict areas, 
alarming levels of unemployment and record corruption are far more 
important issues that need to be highlighted and tackled.  Failure 
to show sympathy and solidarity with victims of violence would 
further weaken the already weak and fragile federation of Pakistan." 
 
 
"Obama's Test In Afghanistan," an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (09/29) 
 
"The choice for him (Obama) should not be one between abandoning 
Afghanistan and pursuing an open-ended military engagement.  Both 
would be destabilizing for the region.  They are also unfeasible. 
The challenge is to find the best way of preventing the country from 
being a haven for terrorist networks but avoiding a course in where 
only a military solution is pursued.  He can no longer take the 
decisions that are necessary without addressing strategic questions: 
Is the goal of the military mission now simply the avoidance of 
defeat?  What does 'success' in Afghanistan really mean?  Can 
Afghanistan be stabilized by just military means without applying 
non-military elements of strategy?  This is what another troop surge 
implies.  Is it at all feasible for outsiders Qundertake nation 
building?  If insurgencies are neutralized as much by political as 
by military means, how canQpolitical strategy be fashioned 
in the aftermath of the fraud-stricken Afghan election?  How can 
talks with the insurgents be initiated?  On what terms?  And with 
whom?" 
 
"Pak-U.S. Relations," an op-ed by Nazir Naji in the leading mass 
circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (09/29) 
 
"After independence, our rulers sought the U.S. assistance to 
counter the aggressive policies of India and consequently America 
overpowered Pakistan without using any military force.  The U.S. 
wanted to bring India into its own bloc, and it exploited our 
successive rulers, both military dictators and civilian, to achieve 
this objective.  Now, after achieving this goal, the U.S. is 
planning a military invasion of Pakistan, and it wants to do so in 
collaboration with our own ruling elite.  But if Washington ever 
committed such folly, it will have to face the wrath of a 
nuclear-armed nation which has also evolved some very 
non-conventional methods to exploit this lethal capability." 
 
"Pakistan-U.S. Relations," an op-ed by Javid Hussain in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(09/29) 
 
"Pakistan neither has the willingness nor the capability to play 
such a role.  In fact, the compulsions of Pakistan's vital strategic 
relationship with China are the reverse of what the U.S., for whom 
the growing strength of China is a source of growing concern, would 
like to see.  This is the main reason for the U.S. policy of 
de-hyphenation of its relations with India and Pakistan, which was 
initiated by the Bush Administration and is being continued by the 
U.S. under Obama.  Pakistan needs to manage its relations with the 
U.S. in a mature and responsible manner....  We must make it clear 
to Washington that while we attach high importance to our friendship 
with the U.S., it cannot be at the expense of our domestic stability 
or our friendship with other countries, like China and Iran Qh 
whom we maintain strategically vital relations." 
 
 
"Have The Entire Nation Fallen Asleep?," an op-ed by Haroon Rasheed 
in the leading mass circulatioQst, often sensational Urdu 
daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (09/29) 
 
"There is a dead silence in Pakistan over the Kerry-Lugar bill which 
is, in fact, a document of slavery.  It appears that the Americans 
have made Pakistan their new target following defeat in Afghanistan. 
 It is impossible to invade Pakistan militarily, therefore the U.S. 
is planning to strangle us economically in connivance with the 
European Union, Israel and India.  It wanted to turn our country 
into a military base in order to contain the growing influence of 
China and Iran in this part of the world.  Washington is pursuing 
its nefarious designs against us by using its influence on our 
political elite, military junta and the civilian bureaucracy.  Why 
all our political parties are silent on the shameful conditions of 
the Kerry-Lugar bill?" 
 
"Plans Ahoy!," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/29) 
 
"The acid test of our President will be on the number of zeroes 
written on the cheque he receives from FoDP (Friends of Democratic 
Pakistan); the stringent conditions for $1.5 billion he has managed 
to wrest out of the U.S. Senate still squeamish about giving it; and 
any other freebies (military hardware) he can convince Obama to gift 
to Pakistan.  Yes, yes, we know that our leader will not leave the 
U.S. shores without dough, but with how many strings attached is a 
question no one can answer right away." 
 
"Birds Of A Feather," an op-ed by Kamran Shafi in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(09/29) 
 
"What is more damaging, Transparency International's report on 
growing corruption in Pakistan, or the Commando's (former President 
Musharraf) going public on diverting military aid from the U.S. 
against India too?  Verbatim: 'Wherever there is a threat to 
Pakistan, we will use it [equipment provided by the U.S.] there.  If 
the threat comes from Al Qaeda or Taliban, it will be used there. 
If the threat comes from India, we will most surely use it there,' 
General Musharraf told a private TV channel a mere 10 days before 
the meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan.  To make 
Pakistan's case even weaker, he went on: 'There is nothing like this 
equipment has come from the U.S. and must only be used against 
Taliban, or that equipment has come from China and must be used 
against this or that.' 'Whoever wishes to be angry, let them be 
angry, why should we bother?  We have to maintain our security, and 
the Americans should know, and the whole world should know that we 
won't compromise our security, and will use the equipment 
everywhere!'" 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson