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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002424 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 07, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports reflecting debate on the Kerry-Lugar Bill 
continued to dominate front-pages in all newspapers on Wednesday. 
Prime Minister Gilani's statement portraying the Kerry-Lugar Bill as 
a "big success of the democratic government" made headlines in 
several newspapers.  Some dailies also highlighted reports that the 
Pakistan Army "conveyed its strong aversion to the United States" 
that the "terms set in the Kerry-Lugar Bill on the national security 
interests of Pakistan are insulting and are unacceptable in their 
present formulation."  Foreign Minister Qureshi's remarks, made 
after his meeting with Ambassador Holbrooke, that the "Kerry-Lugar 
Bill is not a compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty" also received 
prominent display.  An English language newspaper reported that 
Ambassador Patterson called on PML President Chaudhary Shujaat and 
discussed various aspects of Pak-U.S. ties, particularly the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill.  Editorializing the Kerry-Lugar Bill's 'strings', 
the center-right national English daily "The Nation," noted that 
"their acceptance in the present form carries grave and far-reaching 
implications.  The government must seriously consider taking up the 
issue with the U.S. administration." 
 
In other news, all newspapers reported that the "Taliban claimed 
responsibility for suicide attack on UN's World Food Program Office 
in Islamabad."  President Obama's remarks, vowing to "keep up 
anti-Al Qaeda fight" also received prominent display in several 
newspapers.  Pakistan Foreign Secretary Bashir's remarks before the 
National Assembly's Standing Committee dispelling parliamentarians' 
concerns on the alleged fast spreading U.S. presence in Pakistan 
were also highlighted.  The reports of the killing of seven 
militants when military planes and helicopter gunships attacked 
their strongholds in South Waziristan also received prominent 
coverage.  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Aid Bill Big Success Of Democratic Govt.: Gilani" "The News" 
(10/07) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has defended the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill, portraying it as a 'big success' of the democratic government 
as it is for the first time that the United States has supported a 
democratic government in Pakistan instead of dictatorship, he said 
while addressing a meeting of the parliamentary party of the 
coalition partners of the government." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill Is An Insult, Army Tells U.S. Military" "The News" 
(10/07) 
 
"As anger mounts over the degrading language and observations in the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill on Pakistan's military services and intelligence 
agencies, the Army conveyed its share of protest to the United 
States when Commander of International Forces in Afghanistan General 
Stanley McChrystal met Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez 
Kayani at the GHQ on Tuesday, informed officials said.  Kayani also 
protested over the controversial statements made by some U.S. 
officials in recent days.  'General McChrystal returned from the GHQ 
with an unambiguous message that the terms set in the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill on the national security interests of Pakistan are insulting 
and are unacceptable in their present formulation,' according to an 
official familiar with the content of the meeting." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill No Compromise On Pakistan's Sovereignty: FM" "The 
News" (10/07) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill is not a compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty rather it is a 
commitment of the U.S. administration to provide social and economic 
assistance to the people of Pakistan in the next five years, while 
talking to 'The News' after a meeting with U.S. special 
representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke in 
Washington on Tuesday." 
 
"Consensus On Helping Pakistan: Holbrooke" "The News" (10/07) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi and U.S. Special 
Representative Richard Holbrooke on Tuesday discussed wide-ranging 
Pakistan-U.S. partnership. Ambassador Holbrooke stressing 
Washington's support for a key South Asian ally said 'We are very 
pleased that the Congress passed the Kerry-Lugar bill with consent. 
It is a very strong demonstration of Congressional support for the 
people of Pakistan,' Holbrooke stated." 
 
"Hillary Urges Critics To Study Aid Bill" "The News" (10/07) 
 
"Pakistan and the U.S. said Wednesday the Kerry-Lugar Bill was aimed 
at a long-term relationship between the two countries.  This was 
stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his U.S. 
counterpart, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, at a press briefing 
after their meeting in Washington.  Ms. Clinton said she discussed 
the bill with her counterpart.  She advised the critics of the bill 
to read it carefully." 
 
"Pak Demand For Long-Term Commitment Correct: U.S." "The News" 
(10/07) 
 
"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert 
Gates vowed a sustained U.S. engagement with Pakistan and 
Afghanistan.  The top American diplomat acknowledged that the 
Pakistanis are 'rightful' in asking about United States' long-term 
commitment to their country.  Secretary Clinton commended the 
current Pakistani government's resolve to fight out militants in the 
restive Afghan border region, saying that this level of commitment 
was missing in the past." 
 
"Patterson, Shujaat Discuss Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The Nation" (10/07) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Anne w. Patterson on Monday called on PML-Q 
President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Islamabad at his residence to 
discuss matters of mutual interest.  The one-hour meeting, which was 
held in a cordial atmosphere, discussed various aspects of Pak-U.S. 
relations, particularly the Kerry-Lugar Bill.  The PML-Q leadership 
presented its viewpoint and objections on Kerry-Lugar Bill." 
 
"Army Top Brass To Scrutinize U.S. Aid Bill" "Dawn" (10/07) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill is expected to consume a fair share of the 
corps commanders' time when they meet in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. 
There are indications that the U.S. aid legislation is likely to 
find little support at the General Headquarters and may ultimately 
sour relations between the armed forces and the government, which 
favors the bill and claims it as a major foreign policy success." 
 
"NA Sets Debate On U.S. Aid Bill After Govt. Defence" "Dawn" 
(10/07) 
 
"The National Assembly on Tuesday set Wednesday for the start of 
what could be a long opposition-sought debate on the Kerry-Lugar 
bill in the face of a strong government defence of the measure that 
will triple non-military U.S. aid to Pakistan." 
 
"FO Not Ruling Out Kerry-Lugar Bill Rejection In Present Form" "The 
News" (10/07) 
 
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that it has made it very clear 
to the Obama administration that the provisions of the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill are very much those of the United States, and Pakistan has not 
undertaken any commitments in this regard.  'Pakistan has drawn red 
lines around areas which are in fact no-go areas for the United 
States.  If any of these red lines are attempted to be crossed, we 
are going to say 'sorry' but we cannot go on with this arrangement 
any longer,' is one view given to 'The News by a top level Foreign 
Office functionary." 
 
"PPP, Allies At Odds On Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The News" (10/07) 
 
"The PPP-led coalition in the Parliament is sharply divided on the 
question of supporting the Kerry-Lugar Bill adopted by the U.S. 
Congress last week." 
 
"ANP to Take A Stand On Kerry-Lugar Bill After Study" "The News" 
(10/07) 
 
"The Awami National Party (ANP) has not yet decided to support the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill and the party Chief has appointed a three-member 
committee to examine it minutely before adopting a stance on the 
issue, a senior party official told 'The News' in Islamabad on 
Tuesday." 
 
"Parties' Moot Rejects Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The Nation" (10/07) 
 
"All Parties Conference on Tuesday have demanded that government 
should stop U.S. interference in the country's affairs and forward 
for its prestige and sovereignty.  They also emphasized the rulers 
to disassociate them from the Kerry-Lugar Bill and urged them to 
reject the U.S. aid in terms of slavery." 
 
"Taliban Claim Responsibility For Attack On UN Office" "Dawn" 
(10/07) 
 
"The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed on Tuesday it had carried out 
Monday's suicide attack on the main office of UN's World Food 
Program in Islamabad and vowed further attacks on governments and 
foreign targets." 
 
"U.S. Vows To Keep Up Anti-Al Qaeda Fight" "Dawn" (10/07) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama vowed on Tuesday to target Al Qaeda 
wherever they took root, indicating that the ongoing review of his 
policy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan would not affect America's 
determination to fight the extremists, he told a gathering of senior 
U.S. Intelligence Officers near Washington." 
 
"U.S. Presence In National Interest: Foreign Secretary" "The News" 
(10/07) 
 
"Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Tuesday dispelled the lawmakers' 
concerns on the fast spreading U.S. presence in Pakistan, saying 
their expansion plan is not a matter of anxiety for the 
government....  He told the Parliamentarians representing the 
National Assembly Sub-Committee on Human Rights that their questions 
are loaded with concerns about Americans' presence but the 
government interprets it as a sign of growing ties with the U.S. 
that are in national interest." 
 
"7 Militants Die In Waziristan Air Strikes" "Dawn" (10/07) 
 
"Seven militants were killed when military planes and helicopter 
gunships attacked their positions in Nawaaz Kot, Makeen and adjacent 
areas in South Waziristan on Tuesday.  Nine militants were injured, 
officials said." 
 
"19 Militants held In Swat" "The Nation" (10/07) 
 
"Amidst continued search operation in different parts of Malakand 
division on Tuesday, security forces arrested 19 militants while 
another activist of defunct Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi, 
Badshah Zeb, surrendered in Buner area, sources said." 
 
"Whose Country Is it Anyway; Two Dutch Diplomats Carrying Guns And 
Bombs Held, Released" "The News" (10/07) 
 
"Law enforcing agencies on Tuesday detained two diplomats of the 
Netherlands Embassy in a sensitive area of the federal capital and 
recovered arms, ammunition as well as explosives from their 
possession.  The diplomats were later released on the intervention 
of their Embassy and an official of the U.S. Embassy." 
 
"Qureshi Joins U.S. Review Of Afghan Strategy" "Dawn" (10/07) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi joined the U.S. review 
process on Tuesday, the day President Barack Obama huddled with 
senior lawmakers to decide a future strategy for Pakistan and 
Afghanistan.  After a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton, Mr. Qureshi vowed to continue to work with the United 
States to defeat extremists who were 'a threat, not just to Pakistan 
but to the entire world.'" 
 
"Man Appearing In Video Not Hakeemullah, Claims Malik" "Daily Times" 
(10/07) 
 
"Hakeemullah Mehsud is dead and it is possible that his look-alike 
might be his brother, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on 
Tuesday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"KLB (Kerry-Lugar Bill) Provokes Anger," an editorial in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(10/07) 
 
"As the Kerry-Lugar Bill contains specific provisions that would 
hamstring Pakistan's freedom of action in certain important matters 
of internal concern, which is tantamount to an assault on its 
sovereign rights, it was bound to spawn countrywide anger and 
resentment....  The bill's conditions - particularly the provision 
of access to 'nuclear proliferators,' an issue long dead and buried; 
the elimination of imagined hideouts or abodes of militants hostile 
to the U.S., its allies and neighbors (India); and the oft-denied 
suspicion of hobnobbing of certain 'rogue' elements of Pakistan 
military intelligence agency with the Taliban forces - have greatly 
hurt public feelings.  Their acceptance in the present form carries 
grave and far-reaching implications.  The government must seriously 
consider taking up the issue with the U.S. administration." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill: MPs Must Candidly Give Their Opinion," an 
editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/07) 
 
"This is a welcome development that the Government itself presented 
the Kerry-Lugar Bill for debate in the National Assembly.  Moreover, 
Federal Information Minister Kaira has also clarified that 
conditions put forth in the bill are not binding on us and that we 
will not accept these conditions....  Now that the National Assembly 
has the opportunity to debate the bill, the members should review 
the bill in the light of our national interest and by being above 
their party interests." 
 
"Debating The Kerry-Lugar Bill Is Right," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) 
 
"The nation is not unanimous on the Kerry-Lugar bill.  The 
opposition has a completely different view on the bill as compared 
to the government, prompting Punjab Governor Salman Taseer to say 
that the N-League is just looking for excuses to criticize the 
government. Instead of firing statement-bombs on each other through 
the newspapers on the price we will have to pay in terms of our 
sovereignty, the parliament should adopt a clear stance on the 
matter and give its final decision so as to end the nation's 
confusion." 
 
"PM, Punjab Chief Minister, Army Signals Non Acceptance Of 
Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the popular rightist 
Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) 
 
"The government is considering to reject the Kerry-Lugar Bill.  As 
per reports, the civilian and the military leaderships will examine, 
both individually and collectively, the U.S. strings attached to 
this bill.  All this exercise has the support of Prime Minister 
Yousuf Raza Gilani.  The Americans, who are accustomed to deal with 
a single person (Musharraf), are now facing stiff resistance from 
Pakistan. The army, media and the Opposition are creating awareness 
among the masses, and it will be impossible for the Americans to 
tame these patriotic forces." 
 
"Good Step To Present Kerry-Lugar Bill In Parliament," an editorial 
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (10/07) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly today 
(Wednesday) for debate.  The entire political spectrum including the 
ruling coalition parties, and the Opposition consider this bill as 
an insult for the entire Pakistani nation, and have joined in hands 
opposing it.  Pakistan has rendered countless sacrifices in the war 
on terror, but the conditionalities in the Kerry-Lugar Bill are notQnly a joke 
with us but also demonstrate that the United States has 
suspicions about our character." 
 
"The Purported U.S. Military Assistance," an editorial in the 
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (10/07) 
 
"If Pakistan was to agree to accept assistance lower than what is 
required it is doubtful if our army or the political government 
would be able to achieve the ambitious military targets with respect 
to FATA.  The need of the hour for both the U.S. and Pakistan is to 
work within the parameters defined by convergence of interests in 
which national interests of the two countries need to be taken into 
account.  The U.S. must understand that without the support of the 
Pakistani public no one, be he a military dictator or a woefully 
pliant civilian government, can deliver what the U.S. wants." 
 
"Where Did The Funds Go?," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) 
 
"Pakistan was the largest recipient of U.S. assistance under General 
Musharraf.  It is about to receive even more of it under the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill.  Because of what has happened in the past, there 
is a lack of trust between the donor and the recipient.  Also, those 
who want to fight terrorism in Pakistan without American help - they 
actually believe Pakistan doesn't need to fight terrorism - want the 
American assistance rejected.  Until an inquiry is held - and the 
time for that will come later - we will not know what actually 
happened.  Now is the time to back the army and do whatever it takes 
to increase its capacity to fight the terrorists." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill - A Critique," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (10/07) 
 
"Just days before U.S. President Barack Hussain Obama will be 
signing the Kerry-Lugar bill thus turning it into law, Pakistan's 
political parties have woken up to the problems that it may pose -- 
a late awakening to say the least....  The ball is now in the court 
of Pakistan's elected legislators. As they formulate a response they 
must recognize that if Pakistan faces a financial crunch, the United 
States faces a strategic one.  For the U.S. to walk away from 
Pakistan is a virtual impossibility at this juncture.  It is far 
more unaffordable for them since Pakistan occupies more than 50 per 
cent of the space in their strategic calculation.  Meanwhile $1.5 
billion accounts for roughly three per cent of Pakistan's federal 
and provincial annual budgets.  If Pakistan's legislators are able 
to rise to the occasion and craft a consensus response to the 
Kerry-Lugar bill, they will have proved their worth as men and women 
who are capable of promoting and protecting the interests and 
dignity of the citizens of the country. Otherwise, whether democracy 
or dictatorship, Pakistan's parliament is merely a rubber stamp 
which follows the will of a handful of individuals who exercise 
their authority overlooking constitutionally defined institutional 
mechanisms like the Cabinet, Defence Committee the Parliament." 
 
"Islamabad Bomb Blast And Hakeemullah Mehsud," an editorial in the 
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) 
(10/07) 
 
"The bomb attack on UN food program office proved that the 
government's claims of breaking the back of terrorists were not 
correct and the terrorists are still in a position to operate inside 
Islamabad red zone....  Having used the deterrence option [against 
terrorists], the government needs to pay attention to dialogue with 
the militants and development in their areas so that Hakeemullah 
Mehsud or anyone else does not feel the need for new activities." 
 
"Another Security Lapse," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/07) 
 
"In fact this is instant reaction of the militants against the 
government decision to launch operation in Waziristan.  Now the 
militants are on the run as Waziristan is the main hub of their 
activities.  However, with this blast at the most sensitive and high 
security place contradicts the government claim that it has broken 
the back of the militants.  The blast is a serious lapse on the part 
of our security agencies.  It has proved without any doubt that even 
foreigners are vulnerable to the terrorist attacks not to say about 
the security of the common man.  The WFP is a totally welfare wing 
of the UN and it has nothing to do with any other activity." 
 
"Why Bombers Attack UN Offices," an editorial in the Islamabad-based 
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/07) 
 
"It is quite obvious that the objective of such dastardly acts is to 
defame and destabilize Pakistan.  There are different accounts of 
how it happened but one report suggests that the attack took place 
immediately after an important meeting of the U.S. officials with 
the UN staff, no one knows for what purposes....  But apparently the 
suicide bombers or master minds of such activities must be having, 
from their point of view, some cogent reason for carrying out 
attacks on UN targets, which might not be, strictly speaking, 
engaged in UN related activities alone.  It is alleged that some of 
the UN offices in Islamabad, like many many other houses which are 
apparently meant for harmless purposes but a deeper look reveals 
that these are misused by the U.S./CIA for operations of various 
sorts.  There are authentic reports that Americans are operating 
from at least two hundred houses of the capital....  Their presence 
and activities are not only adding to the day-to-day problems of 
inhabitants of these sectors but also threaten their very lives." 
 
"Confronting Terrorism," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/07) 
 
"In many ways the Taliban structures have become decentralized and 
functionally autonomous.  In such a situation, the military's 
strategy of surrounding the militants in FATA, using covert means to 
disrupt them from within and using positive financial lures was a 
more comprehensive and viable approach.  Now the U.S. is determined 
to undermine this and compel the military into launching a full 
scale, conventional military action into FATA which will have 
serious repercussions for the country - including impacting our 
security on the Eastern border with a presently belligerent India." 
 
 
"Enter, Hakeemullah," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/07) 
 
"The re-emergence on Monday of Tehrik-i-Taliban chief Hakeemullah 
Mehsud came as a major embarrassment for the Interior Ministry which 
was claiming that he had been killed in intra-Taliban fighting.... 
On Monday, Hakeemullah vowed to exact revenge for the killing of his 
predecessor Baitullah Mehsud....  An army of suicide bombers was 
waiting for orders, Hakeemullah warned, adding that the TTP had 
become stronger, not weaker, in the post-Baitullah period.  This may 
not be true but such claims cannot be dismissed either given the 
intelligence black hole that is South Waziristan....  Hakeemullah 
Mehsud may talk big but it is clear that the Taliban are on the back 
foot.  This is the time for a decisive assault....  Responsibility 
for Monday's suicide bombing in Islamabad has been claimed by the 
TTP, and more attacks can be expected if the Mehsud militants are 
taken head-on.  But no setback, however big, should deter the state 
and the citizenry in their fight against the enemy within." 
 
"Al Qaeda Chooses Hakeemullah," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) 
 
"It is possible that Al Qaeda took its time sorting out the 
leadership problem.  As Pashtuns and particularly as Mehsuds, the 
two leaders had almost equal credentials - Waliur Rehman controlled 
TTP's finances - and couldn't give up in favor of each other. 
Finally, it seems, Ayman Al Zawahiri has plumped for Hakimullah 
because of the support he gets from warlord Qari Hussain in Orakzai 
and the outreach he has in tribal agencies other than South 
Waziristan." 
 
"Alive And Kicking," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/07) 
 
"There is now no doubt that the Taliban, far from being defeated or 
cowed down, are as strong as and perhaps even stronger than they 
were before the death of Baitullah Mehsud.  There is some sort of 
unity in their ranks, fragile perhaps, and the resources that they 
command are formidable....  Could our army - with India indulging in 
a little saber-rattling to the east - fight and win in the 
Waziristans?  The best we can say is that it's a 'definite maybe.' 
While we await an answer, Hakeemullah's suicide bombers are ready to 
sacrifice themselves and as many of us as they can take with them. 
Taliban on the run?  A definite 'NO'." 
 
"After Afghan Elections," an op-ed by Iftikhar Murshed in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (10/07) 
 
"India's intrusive Afghanistan policy is ill thought through and 
fraught with negative consequences....  The Afghans are fiercely 
independent and resent any form of external interference.  New Delhi 
seems to have learnt nothing from the experience of imperial 
Britain, the Soviet Union and now the U.S.-NATO forces.  There is no 
need for Islamabad to react by resurrecting its failed strategic 
depth policy. Instead it should prevail upon Washington not only to 
pressure India to downsize its presence in Afghanistan but also to 
resume the composite dialogue with Pakistan.  The latter cannot be 
expected to take on the Taliban in the tribal areas if 80 per cent 
of its army is committed along the eastern border.  The only 
sensible option available to Pakistan is a hands-off Afghan policy. 
Whatever the final outcome of the presidential election, only a 
multi-ethnic dispensation in Afghanistan supported by the people can 
effectively deal with the Taliban insurgency." 
 
"Iranian And Israeli Nuclear Plans," an editorial note in the 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (10/07) 
 
"Since the IAEA Chief has termed Israel's nuclear weapons dangerous 
for the entire region, the U.S. and other countries should stop 
criticizing the Iranian nuclear program only but must also focus on 
the Israeli program so that threats to the region can be eliminated. 
Israel's inflexible stance on the issue can prove devastating for 
the entire world." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson