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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002434 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 08, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports that the top Pakistani military leadership 
expressed "grave concern" over various clauses of the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill dominated headlines in all newspapers on Thursday.  All 
newspapers also highlighted Prime Minister Gilani's assurance to the 
National Assembly that the "apprehensions of parliamentarians and 
armed forces over the legislation would be removed through 
consensus."  Reports of meeting between President Zardari and Prime 
Minister Gilani to "discuss military's concerns on the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill" also received extensive coverage.  Some newspapers reported 
that "President Obama has delayed signing the Kerry-Lugar Bill due 
to criticism on the legislation in Pakistan."  However, some major 
dailies highlighted that the "signing is not delayed" and "President 
hoped to sign the bill within the stipulated period of 10 days." 
The English language daily, "The News," reported that "Senator Kerry 
has planned an emergency visit to Pakistan to address the dissenting 
voices." 
 
Most major newspapers ran in-depth editorials on the ongoing 
Kerry-Lugar Bill debate, and its far-reaching implications. 
Commenting on the Pakistan Army's reservations on the legislation, 
the prestigious English daily, "Dawn," noted that the Pakistan "army 
high command has belatedly come around to expressing its concerns 
and the fact that it has chosen to make its reservations public as 
opposed to going through private governmental channels is 
regrettable."  However, the populist, often sensational national 
English daily "The News," wrote: "To be fair to General Kayani and 
his men, the language of the bill is harsh and unnecessarily crude 
at various points.  A more gracefully phrased piece of legislation 
would have done everybody good."  The liberal Urdu daily "Express," 
observed that the "Parliament is the most appropriate forum to 
deliberate vital issues such as the Kerry-Lugar Bill." 
 
In other news, all dailies front-paged reports that the Balochistan 
High Court ordered registration of a case against former President 
General Musharraf and other senior officials for killing Baloch 
leader Akbar Bugti.  Reports of killing of a top aide to Swat 
Taliban leader Fazlullah, carrying a bounty of 10 million rupees, 
were also highlighted.  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Corps Commanders Express Concern Over Kerry-Lugar" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"The military-government differences on the conditions attached to 
an aid legislation approved by the U.S. Congress, the so-called 
Kerry-Lugar bill, became more pronounced on Wednesday after the 
army's top commanders, through a carefully drafted press statement, 
expressed their 'serious concerns' on some of the clauses of the 
bill that they believe would affect 'national security.'  At the 
same time they asked the government to build a national response on 
the controversial bill through a debate in the Parliament.  Unlike a 
benign two-line statement that is usually issued after most of the 
corps commanders' meetings, the one released to the media on 
Wednesday left absolutely no doubt that the top brass was not only 
gravely disturbed over the conditions linked to the American aid 
legislation, they wanted to make their views public instead of just 
communicating them to the government through a formal channel." 
 
"Political Equation Rocked By Kerry-Lugar Fiasco" "The News" 
(10/08) 
 
"The Pakistani political equation suddenly took a disturbing turn on 
Wednesday when differences between the civilian government and the 
Army high command surfaced over the Kerry-Lugar Bill and shook the 
national scene.  Amid fast-paced developments, which shocked the 
country, confusion in the government and coalition ranks was evident 
when Prime Minister Gilani, in a brief address to the National 
Assembly, offered to build a consensus between the President and the 
Army, implicitly admitting that things had suddenly changed." 
 
"Certain Individuals Targeted Army, ISI" "The News" (10/08) 
 
"When the top military commanders declared their serious concern 
regarding clauses of the Kerry-Lugar Bill impacting on the national 
security, the top brass had knowledge and evidence that a few 
elements within the government deployed resources to lobby several 
key United States congressmen for inclusion of anti-military and 
anti-nuclear program segments in the controversial U.S. aid bill, 
informed officials said.  'This is actually an attempt to cripple 
the Pakistan Army and the ISI and it is not the first or last 
attempt. There are some elements with clandestine job in all this,' 
said an informed official, who disclosed that Pakistani security 
officials were constantly getting information from their sources in 
Washington that illustrated vast difference between the public and 
private positions adopted by individuals and organizations 
representing Pakistan's national interest in Washington." 
 
"No Clash With Military Over Kerry-Lugar Bill: Government" "Dawn" 
(10/08) 
 
"The government rejected on Wednesday speculations about a clash 
between the military and the civilian government over certain 
conditions attached to the U.S. Kerry-Lugar Bill.  Talking to 
reporters after a meeting of the federal cabinet, Information 
Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the U.S. assistance should be 
allowed to come for development of the NWFP and tribal areas which 
had been badly affected by terrorist activities." 
 
"Gilani Vows To Push Through Kerry-Luger Bill" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani vowed on Wednesday to get all 
parties in the country on side to accept 7.5 billion dollars in aid 
from the U.S., as a divided Parliament debated the issue....  'The 
government will remove reservations of Parliament and the armed 
forces, if any, and build a national consensus on the issue,' 
Gilani, keen to see the aid come through, told lawmakers on 
Wednesday evening." 
 
"Gilani, Zardari Discuss Concerns Over Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Daily 
Times" (10/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday called on President 
Asif Zardari at the Presidency and discussed the military top brass' 
concerns regarding the Kerry-Lugar bill." 
 
"It's Up To Parliament To Decide On U.S. Aid Bill: PM" "Daily Times" 
(10/08) 
 
"The government is not bound to accept the strings attached to the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill and Parliament is empowered to take the final 
decision on the matter, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told the 
National Assembly on Wednesday." 
 
"Obama Delays Signing Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Pakistan Observer" (10/08) 
 
"Obama has delayed signing Kerry-Lugar due to reports of criticism 
on the bill in Pakistan, a private TV channel reported on 
Wednesday." 
 
"Bill Signing Not Delayed" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama hopes to sign the aid to Pakistan bill 
within the stipulated period of 10 days, the bill has not been 
delayed, U.S. officials told 'Dawn' on Wednesday.  Earlier in the 
day, the media in Pakistan reported that President Obama had delayed 
signing the Kerry-Lugar bill because of an adverse reaction in the 
country." 
 
"Senator Kerry Rushing To Pakistan" "The News" (10/07) 
 
"As opposition to the Kerry-Lugar Bill mounts with reservations 
expressed by the Pakistan Army, Civil Society and Parliament, 
Chairman U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John 
Kerry, has planned an emergency visit to Pakistan to address the 
dissenting voices.  He will be arriving in Pakistan in a week or so, 
a credible source in Washington said." 
 
"No Condition Put On Pakistan For $7.5 Billion Aid" Kerry" "The 
News" (10/07) 
 
"U.S. Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations 
Committee, assured the Pakistanis that the recently passed 
Kerry-Lugar Bill attaches no conditions to economic aid for their 
country and has nothing to do with drone attacks or private security 
firms as being associated with the legislation in the ongoing debate 
in the media.  Kerry, who along with other members of the 
influential panel, met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, 
described the characterizations as inaccurate.  He said the 
legislation will not impinge on Pakistan's sovereignty. 'There is no 
conditionality, whatsoever, in this legislation with respect to the 
civilian assistance and the economic assistance that is provided,' 
he told newsmen." 
 
"White House Assessing Reaction In Pakistan" "The News" (10/08) 
 
"Top-level behind the scene deliberations began in the White House 
in Washington on Wednesday to re-evaluate the progress in war on 
terror with particular emphasis on the situation in Pakistan.  In 
the first meeting held between Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, 
National Security Advisor James Jones and Secretary Defence Robert 
Gates the Pakistani reaction over the Kerry-Lugar Bill also 
reportedly came under discussion.  Sources in the White House 
revealed that the situation evolving in Pakistan on the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill has put the Obama Administration in an awkward position and a 
number of key conservative hawks have asked to reassess the U.S. 
efforts to find enduring partnership with Pakistan." 
 
"U.S. Does Not Intend To Encroach On Pakistan's Sovereignty: 
Qureshi" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"'Those who have questions or doubts should read the legislation, 
which is very clear in its intent,' says U.S. Secretary of State 
Hillary Clinton while responding to the criticism that the 
Kerry-Lugar bill encroaches upon Pakistan's sovereignty.  She made 
these remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a joint news conference with 
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who defended the bill saying 
that the Americans had 'no intentions of trampling on Pakistan's 
sovereignty or will the elected democratic government of Pakistan 
ever allow any compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty.'" 
 
"Aid Necessary For Pakistan: Zardari" "Daily Times" (10/08) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday defended the Kerry-Lugar 
bill and termed it necessary for Pakistan's economy, saying the aid 
will benefit the people, not their leaders. According to a private 
TV channel, Zardari said almost Rs 140 billion would be spent on 
development projects every year under the bill." 
 
"Zardari Takes It Personally" "The News" (10/08) 
 
"The presidency is convinced that the opposition to the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill by 'certain elements' is an attempt to de-legitimize Asif Ali 
Zardari as President of Pakistan.  'All this is intended to malign 
Zardari,' presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said when 
approached by 'The News' to know the presidency's viewpoint on the 
issue.  He said the bill did not give an iota of impression that the 
sovereignty of Pakistan or the supreme national interests had been 
compromised." 
 
"Army, Parliament, People On One Side, President On The Other" "The 
News" (10/08) 
 
"Opening the House debate on the controversial Kerry-Lugar Aid Bill, 
leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar rightly described it as a 
defining moment in our history.  But what was even more defining was 
the unmistakable dividing line drawn in the sand of our political 
wasteland, with the President hunkering on one side and the 
opposition, the army, and the popular will on the other.  And while 
the Prime Minister went through the motions of appearing to be 
standing in the middle." 
 
"U.S. Energy Coordinator To Visit Pakistan" "Pakistan Observer" 
(10/08) 
 
"David Goldwyn, the State Department's coordinator for international 
energy engagement, will lead later this month a government team for 
a dialogue with the Pakistani Government on energy policy and 
investment.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told newsmen in a 
joint appearance with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood 
Qureshi that the U.S. team will focus on addressing Pakistan's 
chronic energy shortfalls." 
 
"Registration Of Bugti Case Against Musharraf Ordered" "Dawn" 
(10/08) 
 
"the Balochistan High Court has order the SHO of Dera Bugti Police 
Station to register an FIR against former President Pervez Musharraf 
and others in the murder case of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti." 
 
"Top Aide Of Fazlullah Killed In Swat" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"A militant leader Nisar alias Ghazi Baba, carrying a bounty of 
Rupees 10 million was killed and his son was captured during a clash 
with security personnel in Matta tehsil of Swat on Wednesday.  He 
was considered a close aide of Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat chief Maulana 
Fazlullah." 
 
"Focus On Pakistan At White House Meeting" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama gathered his top military and political 
advisers in the secure White House Situation Room on Wednesday for 
discussions that focused primarily on Pakistan, said White House 
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs as the Washington Post noted that one 
of the proposals being discussed is the 'Pakistan First' theory 
'championed by Vice President Joe Biden.'" 
 
"No U.S. Ground Involvement In Tribal Areas, Says Qureshi" "Daily 
Times" (10/08) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has ruled out the involvement 
of U.S. ground troops in fighting extremists in the Tribal Areas, 
saying that Pakistani forces are capable of combating terrorists on 
its soil, he told CNN in an interview." 
 
"'Tough Resistance' Expected In Waziristan" "Daily Times" (10/08) 
 
"The Pakistani army expects Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters in the 
South Waziristan tribal region to put up 'tough resistance' against 
a military offensive, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, army's chief spokesman 
said." 
 
"'Rah-e-Nijat' Operation SWA Later This Month" " The News" (10/08) 
 
"The Army will be launching an operation in South Waziristan 
codenamed 'Rah-e-Nijat' sometime after mid-October but the 
militants' supply lines have already been sealed off, informed 
sources say.  An ISPR spokesman would not comment on the exact time 
frame." 
 
"Taliban Kill Six Men Of Hakeemullah Group" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"Afghan Taliban killed six militant leaders of the Hakeemullah 
Mehsud group for refusing to release two men they had kidnapped. 
According to sources, the two men, Shahid and Shah Nawaz, had been 
kidnapped three days ago." 
 
"Six Militants Killed In North Waziristan" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"Troops killed six militants and injured two others in a clash in 
Razmak area of North Waziristan on Wednesday, an official said." 
 
"Anti-U.S. Rally" "The News" (10/08) 
 
"Observing Anti-U.S. Day on completion of eight years of U.S. attack 
on Afghanistan, the activists of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba the other 
day staged a protest demonstration at the University of Peshawar 
against U.S. interference in the affair of the country." 
 
"WFP Suspends Food Distribution Among IDPs In Malakand" "Dawn" 
(10/08) 
 
"The World Food Program has suspended food distribution among 
internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various parts of Malakand 
division after the October 5 bomb attack on its office in Islamabad 
that killed five aid workers." 
 
"Foreigners Advised To Restrict Movement" "Dawn" (10/08) 
 
"A number of Foreign Missions in Islamabad have advised their 
citizens to restrict their movement after a fresh threat of 
terrorist attacks in the capital, sources in the Interior Ministry 
and diplomatic circles told 'Dawn' on Wednesday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Opposing Kerry-Lugar," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(10/08) 
 
"The debate on the Kerry-Lugar bill's 'conditionalities' is inching 
worryingly towards becoming a debate about national security versus 
democracy....  All sides, though, must bear some of the blame. 
While it is the government's executive prerogative to negotiate such 
aid with foreign governments, domestically it failed to keep all the 
various stakeholders in the loop, consult them frequently and get 
their input.  The government does not appear to have realized that 
politics and the law intersect on matters such as the Kerry-Lugar 
bill....  Army high command has belatedly come around to expressing 
its concerns and the fact that it has chosen to make its 
reservations public as opposed to going through private governmental 
channels is regrettable....  Right or wrong, wise or unwise, the 
Bill must not become the basis for fresh cleavages between the army 
and the political opposition on one side and the government on the 
other.  The national security-democracy debate is not an either/or 
issue - national security can and must be protected through the 
democratic process.  Even by Pakistani standards, it is too soon to 
forget the damage caused by extra-constitutional interventions." 
 
"Towards Confrontation," an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/08) 
 
"The civilian government and the military are now quite openly at 
odds over the conditions included in the Kerry-Lugar Bill....  To be 
fair to General Kayani and his men, the language of the bill is 
harsh and unnecessarily crude at various points.  A more gracefully 
phrased piece of legislation would have done everybody good....  The 
President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have all 
strongly defended the Kerry-Lugar Bill as a triumph of their 
policies and called on members of their party to back it.  But what 
they have failed to acknowledge is the impact of the bill on 
Pakistan's sovereignty and the fact that it will strengthen the idea 
that the U.S. is dictating terms.  As always happens when rifts open 
up, there are elements at work who seek to exploit them.  We can see 
this happening today.  The need is for rationality and good sense to 
kick in.  Pakistan would benefit from the Kerry-Lugar Bill and the 
aid offered under it, but portions of it could do with a redraft." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill And NRO: Parliament Is The Best Forum," an 
editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) 
(10/08) 
 
"One solution to the army's reservations about certain conditions 
would be to out-rightly reject this assistance and to meet the 
military's expenses through national resources.  The other solution 
would be to talk with the U.S. to review such [controversial] 
conditions....  We also need to dispel the impression that there are 
misunderstandings between the army and the government just because 
of U.S. aid....  The U.S. is not doing Pakistan any favor by giving 
this aid; in fact the losses we have faced due to the war on terror 
are far more than the aid provided by the U.S. and its allies. Let 
the parliament discuss the issue; it has the right to turn down this 
aid if it comes to the conclusion that certain conditions included 
therein mean compromising on national sovereignty.  Parliament is 
the most appropriate forum to deliberate vital issues such as the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill." 
 
"Brawling Over Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/08) 
 
"Prime Minister Gilani is proclaiming the bill a 'big success' of 
his 'democratic government' and is ready to defend Pakistan's 
acceptance of the American aid in parliament.  His strong points 
are, the bill is not addressed to Pakistan but to the Obama 
administration, the money it allows to Pakistan is not a loan but a 
grant, the conditionalities do not apply to social sector aid and 
that Pakistan needs the money because it can't get it from 
elsewhere....  Pakistan is getting $7.5 billion, and its stock 
exchange is already responding to prospects of economic stability as 
seen by foreign capital after the Kerry-Lugar Bill." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill: PM's Stance And Army's Concern," an editorial in 
the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 
150,000) (10/08) 
 
"The country's armed forces have hinted at unacceptability of the KL 
Bill and they also informed American General McChrystal about it. 
The situation demands that the Bill should not only be discussed in 
the National Assembly, but in the joint session of the 
Parliament....  The nation cannot accept the aid that has been 
arranged after compromising the national security." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill: How Important Is Consensus?," an editorial in the 
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (10/08) 
 
"Senator John Kerry, the architect of the legislation, told 
reporters after he and other members of the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee met visiting Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi that 
'no conditions' have been imposed, the Secretary of State is also 
required to make an assessment of how effective a control the 
government is exercising over the military, including oversight and 
approval of defence budgets, chain of command, promotion of senior 
commanders and civilian involvement in strategic planning....  It 
would be unfortunate if this bill (Kerry-Lugar) was to divide the 
nation.  The government and opposition should use the forum of the 
National Assembly to hammer out a consensus on the issue." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill: Consensus Needed," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/08) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill has been taken up in the National Assembly and 
Corps Commanders meeting.  The opinion expressed at the two forums 
should be given a high level review in order to reach a national 
consensus decision.  The Parliament can reject the bill, but if it 
does not do so then the bill's opponents should review their own 
attitudes." 
 
"NRO, KL - NA Is Proper Forum," an editorial in the Islamabad-based 
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/08) 
 
"In the present-day context the issues of NRO and Kerry-Lugar Bill 
have become subjects of heated debates and deserve to be critically 
examined by the Parliament.  NRO is fundamentally flawed one-man 
legislation imposed on the nation, which is perceived to have jolted 
the very moral fabric of the society....  Similarly, acceptance of 
the humiliating conditions of the Kerry-Lugar Bill are, generally 
speaking, perceived to be bartering away of national sovereignty. 
The ignominious conditions and degrading observations should not be 
acceptable to any self-respecting nation at any cost....  We hope 
that the debate would be result-oriented, giving clear-cut direction 
to the Government on how to proceed further on the controversial 
issue." 
 
"Superficial Discussion On The Kerry-Lugar Bill: U.S. Should Remove 
Doubts," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily 
"Din" (cir. 10,000) (10/08) 
 
"While the nation is focused on the controversial clauses in the 
Kerry-Lugar bill, the government is also concerned about unhindered 
movement of Americans in the country. This concern touched the 
extreme when illegal arms were recovered from security agencies 
linked with the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan....  Instead of peddling 
the Kerry-Lugar bill in the marketplace, [the government] should get 
the help of experts in international law who can review it 
threadbare. Subsequently, if a clause is found to be against our 
sovereignty, an alternative viewpoint can be presented to the 
U.S....  Pakistani apprehensions about the activities of the 
Americans as well as the Kerry-Lugar bill need to be allayed." 
 
"Objections On The Kerry-Lugar Bill And Democratic Government's 
Responsibility," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu 
daily "Waqt" (cir. 5,000) (10/08) 
 
"We hope that that the Pakistani leadership would neither ignore 
national sovereignty nor emulate a military dictator in kowtowing to 
the U.S....  We hope the leaders would give ample time to the 
parliamentarians to study the bill in the national assembly and 
would not force them to act as a rubberstamp." 
 
"Where's The Partnership?," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (10/08) 
 
"It is an irony that the U.S. remains deeply unpopular even with 
those states that have been the greatest beneficiaries of its 
assistance....  The bill (Kerry-Lugar) has generated several 
misgivings even among those (Pakistani) who favor cordial relations 
with the U.S....  The conditions are much too onerous and 
impractical.  The U.S. should appreciate that an aid package viewed 
as demeaning defeats the very purpose for which it is crafted.... 
The Kerry-Lugar bill is likely to generate fresh controversies and 
sour relations as its primary message is that the U.S. views 
Pakistan as incompetent, corrupt and unreliable, with assistance 
being provided only because it is a 'critical task.'  There is no 
reflection on partnership between the two.  Instead of hailing the 
bill as a great success, the government should have pointed out the 
pitfalls and expressed its reservations early on as vigorous and 
timely lobbying could have improved its provisions." 
 
"The Same War Hysteria," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/08) 
 
"President Barack Obama's remark on a recent visit to the National 
Counter-terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Virginia that he could not rule 
out Al-Qaeda attacking the U.S. in the future recalls the same war 
hysteria that his predecessor George W. Bush created and kept 
trumpeting during his two dismal tenures....  One would hope that 
Obama restrains himself from following this course if he wants to 
make sure that he does not meet a similar fate." 
 
"American Double-Standards," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (10/08) 
 
"U.S. President Obama has said that Al Qaeda hideouts around the 
world, including Pakistan, will be targeted.  Meanwhile, U.S. State 
Department spokesman has said that most of the 9/11 perpetrators 
have crossed into Pakistan....  How does the U.S. know this?  And if 
they have reliable information, why is it not shared with Pakistan? 
Similarly, it has been proven that no Pakistani was involved in the 
9/11 attacks; the U.S. is implicating Pakistan just to achieve its 
nefarious designs....  The government should protest at this 
statement." 
 
"Afghanistan Conundrum," an op-ed by Mohammad Jamil in the 
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/08) 
 
"There is no industry to create employment opportunities to the 
jobless, and no serious effort has been made by various governments 
to promote agriculture.  This leaves the unemployed at the mercy of 
militants who look after them better than the state because of their 
income from drug-trafficking.  During the last eight years, warlords 
had a free hand in drug-trafficking under American and NATO forces' 
watch.  Afghanistan is facing death and destruction for the last 
three decades....  The question is why the U.S. and the West do not 
realize that they can no more run the world according to their whim 
and fancy.  And why don't they understand that other countries have 
the right to live according to their own way, their own faith and 
their own culture....  The U.S. has spent more than one trillion 
dollars on Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and if it had spent half of 
this amount on improving the lives of the people in Afghanistan and 
other underdeveloped regions, it was possible to reduce poverty, 
crimes and extremism in the world." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson