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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: KERRY-LUGAR BILL, TERRORIRSM, 
U.S.-IRAN - OCTOBER 09, 2009 
 
Summary:  Assistant Secretary Crowley's remarks that "there was no 
threat to the democratically elected government in Islamabad in view 
of the Pakistan Army's public opposition to the Kerry-Lugar Bill" 
dominated headlines in several newspapers on Friday.  Some major 
dailies also gave front page coverage to Ambassador Patterson's 
to-be telecast television interview and attributed her as saying 
that "clauses in the Kerry-Lugar bill regarding the Pakistan Army 
'are a big mistake.'"  Newspapers also reported that Ambassador 
Patterson called on President Zardari to "discuss the situation 
emerging after Pakistan army, too, expressed serious concerns on the 
language and conditions of the U.S. legislation."  President 
Zardari's spokesman Babar's statement dismissing the army's concerns 
over the Kerry-Lugar bill, saying that "there are established 
channels for the Pakistan Army to express its views" received 
prominent display. In its editorial on the subject, the 
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," noted that 
"instead of advocating this disputed legislation, the Prime Minister 
should stick to the national interest and take to task the Pakistani 
diplomatic staff in Washington."  The populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News," observed that "it would have been 
wise to build consensus through talks beforehand rather than see the 
ugly conflict we are now witnessing."  However, the center-right 
Urdu daily "Pakistan" expressed its apprehension that the "situation 
could become complicated if America does not agree to change 
unacceptable conditions in the bill." 
 
In other news, reports that "President Obama's war council is 
weighing a new role for Pakistan in the eight-year-old struggle in 
the region" received wide coverage.  Also highlighted were reports 
that Foreign Minister Qureshi urged the U.S. administration to 
provide Pakistan with "greater market access."  Reports of killing 
of 17 militants in different parts of Swat were also highlighted. 
Some newspapers also highlighted reports that "17 people were killed 
in a bomb explosion in Afghan capital Kabul outside the Indian 
Embassy."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
Kerry-Lugar Bill 
----------------- 
 
"Aid Not A Threat, U.S. Insists" "The News" (10/09) 
 
"U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley 
has said the Obama administration believes that there was no threat 
to the democratically elected government in Islamabad in view of the 
Pakistan Army's public opposition to the Kerry-Lugar Bill, which is 
not in line with the official position of the Zardari government. 
Crowley was talking to reporters in Washington at the Foreign Press 
Centre on Wednesday." 
 
"Patterson Admits To Mistakes In Bill; Army Forwards Concerns" 
"Daily Times" (10/09) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson admitted on Thursday 
that clauses in the Kerry-Lugar bill regarding the Pakistan Army 
'are a big mistake.'  According to a private TV channel, Patterson 
said the U.S. government had gone the extra mile to assure the 
government that the bill was not detrimental to Pakistan's 
sovereignty, but conceded the draft of the bill was poorly written, 
adding the U.S. would address the concerns of Pakistani politicians 
and military leadership.  She hoped that the leadership of both 
countries could overcome these concerns through dialogue with 
military leadership, politicians and the civil society." 
 
"U.S. Military Hardware Not Reserved For Pakistan" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"U.S. military hardware is not reserved for Pakistan and can be 
given to other countries in South Asia as well, warns a powerful 
American lawmaker Gary Ackerman.  Mr. Ackerman, who heads the House 
Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee on the Middle East and South Asia, was 
riled by Pakistan's reaction to the Kerry-Lugar bill, calling it an 
indication that the Pakistanis did not want friendship with the 
United States." 
 
"Presidency Dismisses Concerns Of Army?" "The News" (10/09) 
 
"The Presidency has apparently dismissed the serious concerns of the 
Pakistan Army Corps Commanders over the Kerry-Lugar Bill as 
President Asif Ali Zardari forges ahead with his unwavering support 
 
for the bill.  Spokesman of the Presidency said on Thursday said 
that there are established channels for the Pakistan Army to express 
its views.  He was responding to questions about the public rebuff 
given by the army commanders in their meeting, which was released 
through the ISPR." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill Not Binding: PM" "The News" (10/09) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill was not binding and was a 'formula' for assistance 
to Pakistan and assured that the government would not take any step 
which was against the country's interest, sovereignty, dignity and 
honor.  Addressing the political leadership of Azad Jammu and 
Kashmir, the prime minister said this is U.S. own bill.  This (Bill) 
is not an agreement.  It is up to us whether we accept it or not." 
 
"Army Stance Puts Government On The Back Foot" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"The fissures created by the top army command's objections over some 
of the conditionalities attached to the Kerry-Lugar aid package 
continued to have a direct impact on the functioning of the 
government, with ripples created during the day as sources said that 
the Prime Minister's Secretariat had received the detailed version 
of the objections raised by General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani and his 
fellow commanders a day earlier." 
 
"Clauses In U.S. Bill Not Binding, Says FO" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"The Foreign Office on Thursday said the Kerry-Lugar Bill was not an 
ideal document and its controversial clauses were not binding on 
Pakistan.  'The language of the bill could have been better,' 
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said on Thursday.  The bill 
passed by the U.S. Congress last week has been at the centre of 
controversy because of some of its clauses about the country's armed 
forces and security affairs.  Mr. Basit said the bill was not a 
negotiated document although the Foreign Office had provided its 
input." 
 
"Government To Seek NA Vote On U.S. Aid Bill" "The News" (10/09) 
 
"The government has decided to put the Kerry-Lugar Bill to vote in 
the National Assembly so that a formal response could be given to 
the objections raised by the Corps Commanders through a Parliament 
vote, an informed official told 'The News.'" 
 
"U.S. Aid With Strings Under Fire In NA" "The News" (10/09) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill continued to face the wrath of the opposition 
on Thursday in the National Assembly.  The opposition termed the 
bill 'strategic sell-out of Pakistan's sovereignty,' suggesting the 
government to follow the sentiments of parliament and the people of 
Pakistan rather to go blindly for the peanuts." 
 
"Opposition Terms Kerry-Lugar Bill 'National Insult'" "Daily Times" 
(10/09) 
 
"During a debate on the Kerry-Lugar bill in the National Assembly on 
Wednesday, the opposition called it a 'national insult' and an 
attempt to interfere in the country's internal affairs.  The 
treasury, on the other hand, defended the bill, saying it was a step 
by the U.S. to support the democratic dispensation in the country." 
 
 
"Army Shouldn't Have Gone Public With U.S. Aid Concerns: Babar" 
"Daily Times" (10/09) 
 
"The army should not have gone public with its concerns over the 
Kerry-Lugar bill, the President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said 
on Thursday." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill to Become Law Even If Obama Doesn't Sign It" "The 
News" (10/09) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill will become a law even if President Barrack 
Obama neither signs nor returns it to the U.S. Congress for 
reconsideration within 10 days of its presentation to him.  If a 
returned bill is passed by the Senate and the House of 
Representatives as it is, it will become a law and the Presidential 
signatures would not be required, a legal expert told 'The News.'" 
 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill In The Eye Of Hurricane" "The News" (10/09) 
 
"As criticism continues to grow on the Kerry-Lugar Bill, and a 
witch-hunt for scapegoats and the ultimate fall guy has begun, the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is saying, 'Don't look at us, we did all 
we could given the circumstances.'  In a departure from the past, 
even the role of Ambassador Husain Haqqani is being defended by the 
ministry, which has no love lost for him.  'To be fair to our 
mission in Washington, 35 communications have been sent from our 
mission regarding the Kerry-Lugar Bill and these have been shared 
with all stakeholders in the country.  At every stage as the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill progressed, Islamabad was being kept informed.  The 
Foreign Office, as well, continued giving inputs and the last input 
as I recall was when the U.S. Senate had passed the bill,' confessed 
a senior official." 
 
"Parliament Should Reject The Controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill," an 
editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/09) 
 
"Having declared the Kerry-Lugar Bill a victory of the government a 
day ago, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is now offering assurance 
of removing people's and military's reservations about the bill.... 
Instead of advocating this disputed legislation, the Prime Minister 
should stick to the national interest and take to task the Pakistani 
diplomatic staff in Washington.  Moreover, American lobbying firm 
that received millions of dollars from Pakistan and in return 
protected the interests of India should also be penalized....  The 
parliament should reject the bill." 
 
"Storm Brewing?," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/09) 
 
"The army has, unusually, made its feelings public, with no room 
left for doubt over what the military made of the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill....  It must also be pointed out that one reason for the 
military ire is the failure to take it into confidence before the 
contents of the bill became public.  Surely, it would have been wise 
to build consensus through talks beforehand rather than see the ugly 
conflict we are now witnessing....  There are also suggestions of a 
new, three-way divide opening up, with Prime Minister Gilani stating 
Parliament should decide the future of the bill and President 
Zardari's camp insisting that it must be defended tooth and nail.... 
 There can be no doubt the provisions of the bill are controversial, 
even though there is a great deal to be said for strengthening 
democracy.  Mr. Gilani's call for consensus seems the wiser course 
of action." 
 
"Army's Reaction To The Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/09) 
 
"ISPR's press release can give us an idea about the criticism that 
corps commanders might have undertaken against the American 
legislation....  Situation could become complicated if America does 
not agree to change unacceptable conditions in the bill.  Only time 
will tell how this already-passed legislation can be amended." 
 
"Politically Divided Again," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/09) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has taken the debate over the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill to the National Assembly where it can be either 
accepted or rejected on the basis of a majority vote.  The bill is 
important for Pakistan, not only in terms of the unprecedentedly 
high grant in aid from the U.S., but also in terms of acceptance of 
Pakistan's economy for the investors of the world, though there is 
debate even among development economists on its usefulness.  A 
surface view would be that if the Bill is rejected by Pakistan, the 
money it is to receive over the next five years will not be 
available.  But the U.S., looking at the difficulties faced by 
Islamabad in the shape of an almost universal rejection, may modify 
the 'conditionalities' of the Bill which are clearly intrusive.  Its 
Afghan policy depends on cooperation from Pakistan and the coming 
operation in South Waziristan is an important link in that policy." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill: The Saga Continues," an editorial in the 
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (10/09) 
 
 
"As the debate continues to be very heated on this issue, few, if 
any, are giving attention to our reliance on foreign external 
assistance in the current fiscal year and its impact on the economy, 
if the money is not credited to Pakistan's account....  Thus if 
assistance from the Kerry-Lugar Bill is not forthcoming, then the 
budget deficit would rise as would inflation and compromise the 
government's ability to meet the IMF targets for the next tranche. 
The question that one may well ask is whether the government's heavy 
reliance on external assistance in itself is in Pakistan's 
interest." 
 
"Now Reject Humiliating Kerry-Lugar Bait," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (10/09) 
 
"Under these circumstances, we believe the Government is left with 
no other option but to reject the bill.  Peoples Party claims to be 
championing the cause of the people, so it should listen to their 
unambiguous message on the issue.  We may add that we do not 
advocate spoiling of relations with the United States or 
non-cooperation in the war on terror but the world and especially 
the United States must respect sensitivities and self-respect of the 
nation." 
 
"PPP Isolated On KLB (Kerry-Lugar Bill)," an editorial in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(10/09) 
 
"There is now a national consensus across the board in Pakistan that 
the present form of the Kerry-Lugar Bill is unacceptable for 
Pakistan as it further compromises its sovereignty; brings in 
neighbors into Pakistan's affairs; puts all the onus on Pakistan to 
prove that it has done what is expected of it....  The argument that 
if Pakistan does not accept the Bill, all aid flows will stop is 
absurd given that the U.S. needs Pakistan for its 'war on terror' in 
Afghanistan.  Instead, our parliament should reject the bill given 
the prevailing sentiments and ground realities and ask the U.S. to 
redraft this Bill - which is as much its own need as it may be 
Pakistan's....   The nation and the state are one on rejecting the 
KLB in its present shape.  Only the Presidency and the ruling party 
are isolated on the other side of the fence." 
 
"Folly Beyond Comprehension," op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(10/09) 
 
"Where our American friends were trying to build bridges of 
friendship they have succeeded in laying a minefield which has 
ignited outrage and mass suspicion across the length and breadth of 
Pakistan's brittle political landscape.  The bill's (Kerry-Lugar) 
details are now a matter of secondary importance.  A professor of 
linguistics can come and put a benign gloss on them but most 
Pakistanis will not be convinced.  The general perception fostered 
by some of the bill's language is that it is an affront to Pakistani 
dignity and sovereignty.  No amount of eleventh-hour massaging or 
spin doctoring is going to alter this perception.  True, Pakistani 
dignity may be a pretty battered concept.  If we run through our 
list of historical achievements, there may not be much to be proud 
of.  Still, one can live with diminished dignity if one's nose is 
not rubbed in the dust.  This bill's sublime achievement is to do 
precisely this.  For it reads more like a sustained indictment of 
Pakistan than a charter of friendship....  Zardari and the PPP 
government are climbing up the wrong mountain.  The Kerry-Lugar Bill 
is not their salvation.  Given the current state of public opinion 
it will destroy them." 
 
"I Repent" an op-ed by Abbas Athar in the liberal nation Urdu 
language daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (10/09) 
 
"A little while  ago, Kamran Shahid, anchorperson of the ExpressNews 
program 'Frontline' called me up and said that  U.S. Ambassador Anne 
¶W. Patterson has  admitted we made a mistake by adding conditions 
pertaining to the military, nuclear program and terrorism in the 
Kerry-Lugar bill....  Let us hope that our National Assembly will 
shred the Kerry-Lugar bill, turn it into three footballs and kick 
them back into the White House, the Senate and the Congress.  This 
way, for the first time in history, Pakistan will become a 
sovereign, independent state - a country whose three-fourths people 
E 
 
hate all kinds of bills, whether they are of electricity, gas or 
food items. They will not be able to afford another bill." 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill," an op-ed by M.A. Niazi in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/09) 
 
"The passage of the Kerry-Lugar Bill through the US Congress has 
occasioned a storm in Pakistan....  The present government has 
defended it as a great diplomatic triumph, so the opposition to it 
by the Opposition cannot be ruled out as being based more on 
partisan spirit than because the Bill is so bad.  However, the Bill 
is supposed to satisfy another party, apart from the government - 
the Pakistan Army....  It seems clear to all Pakistanis that the 
'Aid' is coming in lieu of support for the United States' War on 
Terror.  And not just verbal support, but the commitment of troops 
to the various fronts they have been fighting on.  Therefore, the 
criticism of the Bill that emanates from the Corps Commanders' 
Conference assumes even greater significance." 
 
"Mystery Of Kerry-Lugar Conditions Almost Solved" news analysis by 
Shaheen Sehbai in the populist, often sensational national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/09) 
 
"Intense search has begun in political and media circles to find out 
who is the father of the Pakistan Army and ISI-specific conditions 
in the Kerry-Lugar Bill, which ultimately led to the assertive 
statement issued by the 122nd corps commanders' meeting on 
Wednesday.  But the search will not be too difficult....  The United 
States clearly has a few good short-term policy options in relation 
to Pakistan.  American policymakers should endeavor to recognize the 
failings of their past policies and avoid repeating their mistakes. 
The United State has sought short-term gains from its relationship 
with Pakistan, inadvertently accentuating that country's problems in 
the process.  Pakistan's civil and military elite, on the other 
hand, must understand how their three-part paradigm for state and 
nation building has led Pakistan from one disaster to the next. 
Pakistan was created in a hurry and without giving detailed thought 
to various aspects of national and state building.  Perhaps it is 
time to rectify that mistake by taking a long-term view.  Both 
Pakistan's elite and their U.S. benefactors would have to 
participate in transforming Pakistan into a functional, rather than 
ideological, state." 
 
---------- 
Terrorism 
---------- 
 
"U.S. Seeks Greater Cooperation From Pakistan Army" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"The differences between the Pakistani military and the Asif Zardari 
government has placed the U.S. administration in a difficult 
situation which is seeking greater cooperation from the army for 
destroying reported Al Qaeda safe havens in FATA.  The Obama 
administration held a meeting of its war council at the White House 
on Wednesday evening, which focused primarily on Pakistan.  After 
the meeting, U.S. officials told reporters that the war council was 
weighing a new role for Pakistan in the eight-year-old struggle in 
the region." 
 
"Pakistan Wants Greater Access To E.U., U.S. Markets: Qureshi" 
"Business Recorder" (10/09) 
 
"As President Barack Obama discusses the U.S. strategy toward 
Pakistan with his top advisers on Wednesday, Foreign Minister 
appealed for market access, military technology - and above all, 
trust.  Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Reuters 'The challenge we face is 
far larger than that.' 'We are not asking for you to keep doling out 
money and aid, we are asking for greater market access.'  'Better 
trade with the European Union and the U.S. can help our economy 
stabilize.'" 
 
"U.S. Diplomat Told To Avoid Confiding In Media" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"Senior U.S. diplomat Gerald Feierstein was summoned to the Foreign 
Office and asked to refrain from discussing intelligence matters in 
media, a diplomatic source said on Thursday....  Mr. Feierstein's 
summoning to the Foreign Office was not officially announced and the 
U.S. Embassy also didn't confirm it.  Mr. Richard, the Embassy's 
spokesman, said Mr. Feierstein had visited the Foreign Office on 
 
Wednesday, adding that he wasn't sure about the purpose of the 
visit." 
 
"Seventeen Militants Killed; 15 Bodies Found In Swat" "The News" 
(10/09) 
 
"Security forces on Thursday claimed to have killed 17 militants in 
parts of Swat as General Officer Commanding (GOC) Maj-Gen Ashfaq 
Nadeem asserted that peace had been restored to 95 per cent areas of 
the district.  He said majority of the militants had either been 
killed or arrested during the Army offensive and some had 
surrendered.  Meanwhile 15 bodies of suspected militants were found 
in Swat on Thursday." 
 
"Suicide Blast Kills 17, Injures 76 In Kabul" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"A large bomb exploded outside the Indian Embassy in central Kabul 
on Thursday, killing 17 people and wounding 76 others, in the latest 
of a series of militant attacks on diplomatic and government 
buildings in the capital.  The Taliban claimed responsibility for 
the bombing, saying the target had been the Embassy.  It was the 
second big attack on the Indian Mission in 15 months." 
 
"9 Militants Killed In Waziristan" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"Four militants were killed in an exchange of fire with troops in 
Shawal area of North Waziristan on Thursday....  Five more militants 
were killed and several others injured when troops mounted ground 
and air assault on suspected positions in South Waziristan, the 
sources said." 
 
"Bodies Of 33 Militants Found" "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"The bullet-riddled bodies of 33 suspected Taliban were found in 
different areas of Char Bagh on Thursday and a senior military 
commander said the militants had been killed in clashes with 
security forces.  According to reports, all the bodies were of local 
militants." 
 
"Waziristan Sealed, Jets Targeting Taliban positions" "Daily Times" 
(10/09) 
 
"Security forces have started bombing Taliban positions in South 
Waziristan as the army prepares for a ground operation in the 
agency.  We have sealed the area and are involved in aerial 
targeting of Taliban locations, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar 
Abbas told the  Financial Times on Thursday." 
 
"Time Not Ripe For U.S. Withdrawal: Asfandyar" "The News" (10/07) 
 
"Head of the Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan has said 
it wasn't a proper time for the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO troops 
from Afghanistan because the situation in the war-torn country 
requires the foreign forces to stay there." 
 
"$1 Billion Appeal For Malakand To Be Launched Today" "Dawn" 
(10/09) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will on Friday give a 
go-ahead for an international appeal to raise $1.078 billion for 
rehabilitation and reconstruction in the battered Malakand division, 
a senior government official told 'Dawn.'" 
 
"The Pakistan Angle," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/09) 
 
"The third of five planned meetings between President Obama and his 
full national security team to review the U.S. strategy in 
Afghanistan focused on Pakistan, and media reports suggest that the 
case for a 'Pakistan first', counter-terrorism-oriented strategy is 
still being made very strongly by some U.S. officials.... 
Pakistan's position, as believed to have been communicated by army 
and government officials, is closer to General McChrystal's 
'stability' strategy, but minus the troop build-up.  It is not yet 
known which option President Obama will choose from the many 
alternatives that are being proposed." 
 
"Jihad And The State," an op-ed by Ayesha Siddiqa in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
 
(cir. 55,000) (10/09) 
 
"Pakistan's support today is central to winning the war on 
terror....  While institutions of the state have problems due to the 
manner in which the U.S. chooses to fight the war, a common 
perception is that the Taliban imposed the war on Pakistan due to 
the U.S. presence.  So, to many the Taliban and Jihadis essentially 
represent a struggle against American imperialism in Afghanistan. 
What, of course, goes hand in hand with such perceptions is the view 
that 9/11 was an American conspiracy to invade Afghanistan...  The 
battle for hearts and minds is essentially a part of the exercise of 
making the war legitimate.  Currently, the argument presented by 
some in Pakistan, including certain prominent televangelists, is 
that America's war essentially represents a clash of civilizations 
and is being imposed on Pakistan by an illegitimate government on 
behalf of the U.S." 
 
---------- 
U.S.-Iran 
---------- 
 
"'Bunker Buster' Bomb To Be Ready Soon: U.S." "Dawn" (10/09) 
 
"The Pentagon has said a giant 'bunker buster' bomb will be ready 
within months, adding a powerful weapon to the U.S. arsenal amid 
tensions over Iran's nuclear program.  The 30,000-pound massive 
ordnance penetrater (MOP) is designed to knock out fortified sites 
buried deep underground, like those used by Iran and North Korea to 
protect its nuclear work, Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told 
reporters on Wednesday." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson