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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002474 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TERRORISM, KERRY-LUGAR BILL, 
SECURITY OF PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR, F-16 - OCTOBER 13, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of the "killing of 41 people in a 
suicide attack on a military convoy in Shangla" in NWFP dominated 
headlines in all newspapers on Monday.  Newspapers also highlighted 
reports that "15 militants were killed in Bajaur when military 
planes shelled their hideouts in Mamond and Salarzai areas."  In its 
editorial titled "More Violence" the prestigious English language 
newspaper, "Dawn," noted that "unless the apparatus that creates the 
militants is shut down, there will always be new militants to take 
the place of those killed or captured." 
 
President Zardari's remarks, made while talking to visiting U.S. 
Senator Inouye, urging the U.S. government to "address concerns" 
expressed by certain quarters in Pakistan on the Kerry Lugar bill, 
also received prominent display.  Some major newspapers quoted 
Senator Inouye as reiterating that the "U.S. has no intention of 
influencing any Pakistani institution."  Reports on the departure of 
Foreign Minister Qureshi to Washington "to express Pakistan's 
concerns over the KL bill" were also highlighted.  Commenting on the 
U.S. aid bill, the leading mass circulation populist, often 
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" observed that the "U.S. should also 
refrain from ignoring the national interests of Pakistan which 
itself has fallen victim to terrorism after siding with the 
international community in the war on terror." 
 
The terror attack on the Pakistan military's General Headquarters 
(GHQ) over the weekend, sparking a gun-battle that resulted in 
killing of several army personnel and the assailants continued to 
garner front-page coverage on the third consecutive day.  All 
newspapers reported that "three commandos died in hospital raising 
the death toll from a day-long hostage drama at the GHQ to 22." 
Editorializing the terror attack on the GHQ, the pro-Taliban Jihadi 
Urdu daily "Islam" wrote: "Due to its possible repercussions and 
far-reaching consequences, the attack on GHQ seems the most 
dangerous among all incidents of terrorism occurred in Pakistan to 
date."  End Summary. 
 
----------- 
Terrorism 
----------- 
 
"Terror Attack In Shangla; 41 Dead, 60 Injured" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"At least 41 people, four soldiers and three policemen among them, 
were killed and 60 others injured when a teenage suicide bomber 
struck a military vehicle at 11am in a crowded market in Alpuri on 
Monday.  It is the latest in a string of attacks amid warnings of an 
imminent offensive against insurgents in South Waziristan, security 
officials said." 
 
"15 Killed In Bajaur Air Strike" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"15 militants were killed and 28 injured in the fresh offensive when 
military planes shelled their hideouts in Mamond and Salarzai areas 
of Bajaur tribal region on Monday morning.  Ground troops also used 
artillery to pound militants' positions, a press release issued by 
the Frontier Corps in Peshawar." 
 
"GHQ Siege Toll 22 As 3 More SSG Commandos Die" "The Nation" 
(10/13) 
 
"Three commandos died in hospital on Monday raising the death toll 
from a day-long hostage drama at the army headquarters over the 
weekend to 22, a military statement said." 
 
"Back-Channel Efforts To Isolate Group Of Baitullah" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"The government has started back-channel contacts with Taliban 
commanders in North Waziristan as part of an attempt to isolate 
insurgents of the Baitullah group before launching a full-scale 
military operation in South Waziristan.  Well-placed sources said 
that a Jirga comprising more than 20 tribal elders arrived in 
Peshawar on Monday evening for talks with civilian and military 
leadership." 
 
"'GHQ Attackers Demanded Release Of 100 Terrorists: ISPR DG" "Daily 
Times" (10/13) 
 
"Taliban gunmen who took 42 people hostage at Pakistan's army 
headquarters on Saturday were demanding the release of about 100 
 
terrorists, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General 
Major-General Athar Abbas said on Monday." 
 
"GHQ Attack Planned In South Waziristan: Army" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"The army claimed on Monday that the ghastly attack on the General 
Headquarters had been planned in South Waziristan.  Military 
spokesman Maj-Gen. Athar Abbas told journalists that a communication 
intercepted by security agencies had found Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan 
(TTP) commander Waliur Rahman asking his men to pray for the success 
of the operation after he had been informed by the attackers that 
the activity at the GHQ was under way." 
 
"TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) Warns Of More Attacks In Punjab And 
Sind" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for 
the Saturday's terror attack on the General Headquarters in 
Rawalpindi and warned thatQ networks in Punjab and Sindh will 
carry out more attacks on government installations, TTP spokesman 
Azam Tariq told the 'Dawn' that the attack on the GHQ was the work 
of Taliban's Punjab Wing, masterminded by its Chief Amjad Farooqi." 
 
"GHQ Attackers' Leader One Of Army Defectors" "Daily Times" (10/13) 
 
 
"The leader of the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) is one 
of several former military personnel to have joined terrorist 
groups, 'The Times' reported on Monday.  Security officials have 
identified him as Muhammad Aqeel alias Dr. Usman and said that he 
was in the medical corps before joining terrorists based in North 
Waziristan." 
 
"NA Assures Armed Forces Of Support Against Terrorism" "Dawn" 
(10/13) 
 
"The National Assembly reassured on Monday support to the military 
to fight terrorism, suspending a debate on the so-called 
'Kerry-Lugar Bill' of U.S. Aid to Pakistan after Foreign Minister 
Shah Mahmood Qureshi left for Washington to convey possibly 
Islamabad's reQed views about the law." 
 
"Int'l Response Not Matching Pak Role In War On Terror" "Daily 
Times" (10/13) 
 
"Pakistan faces a 9/11-like situation every day as the price for its 
support to the international community, but what it has received in 
return does not match Pakistan's commitment, contribution and role 
in the war on terror, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said while 
addressing the 78th General Conference of Interpol in Singapore." 
 
"Police Launch Crackdown In Dera Ismail Khan" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"Police launched a crackdown in Dera Ismail Khan, sealing the 
offices of the banned Harkatul Mujahideen and arresting five people, 
DawnNews quoted official sources as saying.  The raid also shut down 
an internet caf in the region, from which the police were able to 
recover data and hard drives." 
 
"U.S. Expert Suggests Special Courts For Terror Cases" "The News" 
(10/13) 
 
"As terrorism is an unusual phenomenon being faced by many countries 
of the world, a special system of laws and courts needs to be 
established to deal with the elements allegedly involved in it. 
This was proposed by Clifford D. May, President for Defence of 
Democracies, Washington, while addressing a seminar titled 
'Terrorism & Freedom of Information,' which was organized by Center 
for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad on Monday." 
 
"American With Ammo Nabbed" "The Nation" (10/13) 
 
"The Airport Security Force (ASF) Monday detained an American at the 
Benazir Shaheed International Airport, Islamabad for keeping some 
rounds bullets in his laptop bag.  The American who was identified 
as Richard Powel, was on his way to Dubai on Pakistan International 
Airlines (PIA) No. PK-211 when ASF officials took him into custody." 
 
"More violence," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) 
 
"There are increasing indications that the audacious attack on the 
army GHQ in Rawalpindi was orchestrated by the south 
Punjab-Waziristan nexus of militancy, a nexus which is also known to 
extend to the Swat TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan).  The message 
being sent by the militants to the state is unmistakable: attack us 
and we will retaliate against you in your cities and towns.... 
Unfortunately, the history of Pakistan's fight against militancy is 
a case study in missed opportunities and warning signs ignored until 
the damage is already caused.  Why must we wait for militants in 
south Punjab to set fire to that part or other parts of Pakistan 
before we act against them?  And why must we only try and kill or 
capture the militants that are attacking the state rather than shut 
down the pipeline that is churning out such elements?  Unless the 
apparatus that creates the militants is shut down, there will always 
be new militants to take the place of those killed or captured." 
 
"Challenge Facing National Security And Its Solution," an editorial 
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (10/13) 
 
"Due to its possible repercussions and far-reaching consequences, 
the attack on GHQ seems to be the most dangerous among all the 
incidents of terrorism occurred in Pakistan to date.  Being the 
strongest military power of the Muslim states, the internal 
stability of Pakistan is in the larger interest of the entire Muslim 
world.  Hence, the government should renounce the unwarranted use of 
force to restore peace, and realize the need of dialogue in order to 
eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.  We think that 
negotiations with the people involved in armed struggle will weaken 
the militancy in Pakistan ultimately." 
 
"End And Aftermath," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) 
 
"The world watched as the Taliban stuck the knife in. Newspapers in 
every continent carried it as a lead story and TV stations likewise. 
 There for all to see was the stark reality of the war that we 
fight, a war that we are fighting for and on behalf of the rest of 
the world and not just ourselves.  The entire nation is the 
front-line in the battle that now is joined, and the fight at the 
Rawalpindi GHQ is going to be remembered down the years, perhaps 
more than all the others that have preceded it....  A judgmental 
world will be watching us, waiting to see how we respond.  Any 
response to that is less than firm and unequivocal is unacceptable. 
The GHQ raid was the tocsin, the final warning.  Failure to heed the 
warning this time will be tantamount to surrender - and a future for 
all of us under the boot of the Taliban." 
 
"Precision Handling Of GHQ Predicament," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (10/13) 
 
"We have no doubt that the Army leadership would move swiftly to 
unearth the conspiracy and the elements behind it.  According to 
experts, the way the attack was launched is not merely the handiwork 
of the Pakistani Taliban, who have claimed responsibility, but it 
hints at the involvement of foreign hand as well.  It was a 
dangerous operation which involved organizational supporting, 
monitoring and guidance about targets.  The attack leaves no doubt 
that the militants were trained like commandos, carried 
sophisticated weapons and appeared to be fully briefed about the 
situation on the ground and the directions they were to move.  The 
arrest of the ringleader Aqeel alias Dr. Usman would help the 
investigating agencies in extracting very useful information and 
clues in reaching the conclusions." 
 
"'Dr. Usman': Last Desperate Act," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) 
 
"Aqeel alias Dr Usman has been caught in a seriously wounded state 
after the terrorist attack on the GHQ by his Amjad Farooqi Group.  A 
'mastermind' of several past terrorist attacks....  Now that he is 
in custody - one hopes fervently that he survives his wounds - the 
interrogators will surely get to the bottom of the mystery, and may 
even learn from him important strategic secrets on the eve of the 
military operation in South Waziristan." 
 
 
"Security Threats," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/13) 
 
"The first question that needs to be answered is how the terrorists 
were able to plan, organize and implement such a critical attack.... 
 Though the operation against terrorists has fortunately ended 
successfully it leaves a lot of room for raising our defenses 
against the enemy. That terrorists reportedly had suicide jackets, 
improvised explosive devices, and grenades, etc, and were wearing 
army uniforms shows that there is still much to be done at the 
intelligence level to nip such terrorist attacks in the bud." 
 
"Terrorist Acts And Foreign Minister's Trip To The U.S.," an 
editorial in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5000) (10/13) 
 
 
"No one can deny that pro-U.S. policies are leading to [terrorist] 
incidents that were beyond our imagination until 2006; the law and 
order situation is very worrisome.  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton has admitted that extremist attack on GHQ in Rawalpindi 
signals increasing threat from terrorism....  We hope that the 
Foreign Minister has a successful trip to the U.S. and he is able to 
convince the U.S. to act as a real friend and work together with 
Pakistan to end the root-cause of terrorism.  Dual policies and 
contradictory stances [by the U.S.] will not work anymore." 
 
"Find The Sponsors Of Terrorists," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (10/13) 
 
"Even if all the terrorists in the country are eliminated, our 
enemies have the option of buying the services of terrorists in 
Afghanistan and sending them to Pakistan.  Hence, the security of 
borders with Afghanistan is more important than vigilance of Punjab 
borders.  We need to be cauQous on all fronts, especially those 
areas of the Punjab where terrorists are reported to be present." 
 
"U.S And British Role In The War On Terror," an editorial note in 
the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (10/13) 
 
"There is no solution to the worsening [law and order] situation in 
Afghanistan except that NATO forces make a comprehensive strategy to 
eliminate Al Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan, and Pakistani forces 
eliminate extremists within Pakistan.  We hope that British and the 
U.S. foreign offices will understand these ground realities and make 
an appropriate future strategy." 
 
"A New Official Tone?," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/13) 
 
"Presently, the Zardari government, under continuing U.S. pressure, 
is pushing the military to launch a premature operation in South 
Waziristan before the U.S. and NATO have managed to close the 
illegal arms trail from Afghanistan and before the situation in 
fully under control in Swat, as can be seen by the latest blasts. 
Is there a deliberate attempt to overstretch the army within the 
country?" 
 
"Military Operation In South Waziristan: Reasons And Implications," 
an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/13) 
 
"Now that the [South Waziristan] military operation has started, the 
nation wants it to be successful.  However, the operation 
authorities should avoid large scale displacement of the local 
population, for winters are round the corner....  In order to stop 
Indian interference, Pakistan should talk to America in categorical 
terms to end Indian bases in Afghanistan.  These Indian bases try to 
maintain the supplies to our enemies....  While carrying out the 
operation the army should not give America an opportunity to 
increase its influence on Pakistan via Kerry-Lugar bill and India 
should not be given a change for a mischief against Pakistan." 
 
"Security Stand-Off," an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) 
 
"The ministry of foreign affairs has made it clear to missions in 
Islamabad that anyone found with weapons should not expect to find 
safety behind the cover of diplomatic immunity....  The embassies 
 
claim the weapons are intended to protect their employees and that 
they have little confidence in the ability of Pakistani security 
personnel to do the same....  The lack of coordination between 
different agencies and the tacit go-ahead apparently given to the 
embassies by the interior ministry to carry guns adds to the 
confusion." 
 
"Armed Diplomacy," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) 
 
"Foreign Missions are conscious of the fact that Pakistan's security 
forces have been overstretched because of the war on terror, and 
perhaps they think they are lightening the burden of the government 
by arranging for their own security.  Another reason could be their 
lack of trust in our security agencies....  More unfortunately, the 
Foreign Office and the interior ministry do not seem to see eye to 
eye on the issue, the latter adopting a stance that appears to 
suggest that it condones the diplomats' behavior....  The Foreign 
Office now has reportedly decided to 'get tough' on the issue. 
However, before the FO does this it would be appropriate for the two 
Ministries and the various security agencies to develop a policy 
consensus on how armed diplomats - an oxymoron - are to be tackled." 
 
 
"GHQ And KLB (Kerry-Lugar Bill)," an op-ed by Mir Jamilur Rehman in 
the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (10/13) 
 
"The attack on GHQ has shaken the public confidence further. Coming 
at the heels of the Peshawar blast, which killed and injured nearly 
150 people, the attack on GHQ has spread despondency and traumatized 
the nation.  However, the bravery shown by our officers and soldiers 
in the face of the veiled enemy was out of this world.  The rescue 
of most of the hostages, military and civilian, was such a heroic 
effort that books could be written on it.  It seems that the 
terrorists' target was COAS General Kayani." 
 
"United In Adversity," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(10/13) 
 
"The attack on the GHQ (General Headquarters) will steel resolve. 
It is not something our military will take lying down.  Pride and 
image have both been hurt.  But we also need rational thinking to 
determine how best to fight militancy, on various fronts, attacking 
not just the suicide-jacket-wearing and grenade-hurling militants 
whose aim it is to maim and kill but also the poverty and 
frustration which gives them strength and fuels the organizations 
behind them." 
 
"Deciphering The GHQ Attack," an op-ed by Hassan Abbas in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (10/13) 
 
"This was neither the first attack on an army structure in the 
country nor the most deadly -- but it is unprecedented, given the 
extent of the breach of GHQ security, the confusion that it created 
in its initial stage and its timing vis-a-vis the planned launch of 
a ground operation in South Waziristan.  It could be a 
transformational event for the army - strengthening its resolve 
against local militants, bridging internal divisions and forcing a 
review of intelligence estimates.  However, jumping to conclusions 
without thorough investigation and reacting rashly based on 
preconceived notions would be highly counterproductive. 
Additionally, though Pakistan's nuclear installations are not in the 
immediate vicinity of GHQ, the nature of the attack raises questions 
about how security agencies would react if a future attack targets 
any of the nuclear weapons facilities." 
 
"Army's Options Can Go Beyond Waziristan," news analysis by Ahmed 
Quraishi in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" 
(cir. 20,000) (10/13) 
 
"Pressure is building on the Pakistani military to rush into South 
Waziristan in the aftermath of the GHQ attack and the spate of 
bombings targeting Pakistani civilians....  If the supply of weapons 
from Afghanistan to terrorists across western Pakistan does not 
cease, along with the growing Indian presence that is aimed at 
Pakistan, Islamabad should be ready to consider scaling down the 
 
supply of food and energy from Pakistani ports to that country.  The 
attack on the GHQ and the murder of more than 80 Pakistanis in three 
major terrorist attacks in one week provides Pakistan an opportunity 
to conduct a major review of its policy and role in America's Afghan 
war.  This chance must not go unexploited, say many Pakistani 
analysts." 
 
----------------- 
Kerry-Lugar Bill 
----------------- 
 
"Zardari Urges U.S. To Address Concerns Over Bill" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari asked the U.S. government on Monday to 
address concerns expressed by certain quarters in Pakistan on the 
controversial Kerry-Lugar bill.  'The U.S. and Pakistan need to work 
together to alleviate these concerns,' the President said during a 
meeting in Islamabad with U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Chief of the 
U.S. Senate Appropriation Committee." 
 
"U.S. Has No Plans To Influence Pak Institution" "Daily Times" 
(10/13) 
 
"The U.S. has no intention of influencing any Pakistani institution, 
U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye said on Monday, adding the U.S. was 
trying to help the Pakistani nation.  During a meeting with 
President Asif Ali Zardari, the Chief of the U.S. Senate 
Appropriations Committee said it was in the interest of both 
countries to work together.  In response, the President said the 
U.S. and Pakistan needed to work together to alleviate concerns 
regarding some of the provisions in the Kerry-Lugar bill." 
 
"Qureshi On Difficult Mission" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi dashed on Monday to 
Washington for expressing Pakistan's concerns over the Kerry-Lugar 
bill, but with little hope of finding any favor.  The decision to 
make last-minute efforts for finding a reprieve was taken at a 
meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf 
Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Foreign 
Minister Qureshi and ISI chief Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha over the 
weekend. 
 
"Difficult Task Awaits Qureshi In Washington" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"One of the major task awaiting Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood 
Qureshi in the U.S. capital is to assure the American administration 
and Pakistani diplomats that Ambassador Hussain Haqqani still enjoys 
Islamabad's confidence.  A flurry of media reports, all originating 
in Islamabad, claim that Mr. Haqqani is on his way out." 
 
"Haqqani to Be Replaced Within 48 Hours?" "The Nation" (10/13) 
 
"After strong criticism on Kerry-Lugar Bill in the country, the 
government has decided to replace Pakistan's Ambassador to the 
United States Hussain Haqqani and an announcement is expected within 
next 48 hours.  A private TV channel quoted well-informed official 
sources as saying country's Ambassador to the U.S. will be appointed 
as the presidential spokesman." 
 
"Parliament Should Have Final Say On Kerry-Lugar: Gilani" "Dawn" 
(10/13) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the U.S. 
Kerry-Ligar bill has positive as well as negative aspects and its 
controversial clauses need to be removed.  The Prime Minister, who 
arrived in Beijing on Monday on a four-day official visit, told 
journalists accompanying him that Pakistan's response to the bill 
should be decided by Parliament." 
 
"Babar Defends Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar has said that the language 
of the Kerry-Lugar Bill has quite a few things which could have been 
avoided or improved.  However, he said, it would be unwise to reject 
the unconditional economic assistance of $7.5 billion because of its 
poor drafting, while speaking during a discussion on the U.S. Aid 
Bill organized by the Peshawar University, Peshawar on Monday." 
 
"Govt. Sought No Delay In Signing Of Kerry-Lugar Bill: Babar" "Daily 
Times" (10/13) 
 
"The government has not urged US President Barack Obama to delay 
signing the Kerry-Lugar bill, the president's spokesman Farhatullah 
Babar said on Monday.  He was talking to 'Daily Times' after 
attending a discussion on the bill at Peshawar University." 
 
"ANP, MQM Voice Concern Over Kerry-Lugar Bill, Call For Changes" 
"Daily Times" (10/13) 
 
"The Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement 
(MQM) voiced concern over 'some controversial clauses' of the 
Kerry-Lugar bill, and recommended changes to them on Monday. 
Senator Babar Ghauri of the MQM asked the government to convene a 
roundtable conference of all political parties to achieve consensus 
on the bill." 
 
"Pakistan Aid Plan Hit As 'Counterproductive'" "Dawn" (10/13) 
 
"An economist at the U.S. international aid agency has protested 
that special envoy Richard Holbrooke is micromanaging a giant 
package to Pakistan in a 'shockingly counterproductive' way, a memo 
showed Monday.  In a memorandum to State Department officials, C. 
Stuart Callison, a senior economist at USAID, complained that 
Holbrooke was insisting on personally approving every funding 
decision, usually made by the agency's local mission." 
 
"Gratuitous Language Blamed For U.S. Aid Bill Fiasco" "Dawn" 
(10/13) 
 
"Some of the popular anger in Islamabad is being manipulated by the 
Pakistani military, but some of it is 'a product of gratuitous 
language that was written into the legislation despite warnings that 
it would trigger just this sort of reaction,' Washing Post columnist 
David Ignatious said on Monday." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill - Need For Comprehensive Consultation," an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often 
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (10/13) 
 
"It is a matter of satisfaction that the government has ensured that 
its stance on the Kerry-Lugar Bill would be in line with the one 
that would be evolved as a result of the parliamentary debate on 
this issue.  The expression of serious reservations from the 
Pakistan Army and the general public on this bill is an ample proof 
that the language used in the draft of this legislation was not 
right.  The strings attached to this aid package are also contrary 
to the national interests of Pakistan.  The strong reaction from the 
political and military leadership as well as the people against the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill has forced the U.S. officials to change their tone 
against Pakistan.  Now it is the responsibility of our government to 
clearly apprise the U.S. administration about serious concerns of 
the Pakistani nation regarding this bill." 
 
"Foreign Minister's Departure To U.S. To Convey Reservations On 
Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the popular rightist 
Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) 
 
"Foreign Minister Qureshi's visit to the U.S. aimed at negotiating 
the conditionalities of the Kerry-Lugar Bill is a good initiative. 
Apart from this bill, the government should also talk to the Obama 
Administration about the war on terror.  There is evidences to prove 
that this is a war that has led our country on the threshold of 
total destruction." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill In Parliament," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) 
 
"So Pakistan could well achieve 'unanimity' in Parliament as 
everybody fulminates against the Bill....  Efforts are apparently on 
to get President Barack Obama to invent some way of 'saving' the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill from Pakistani rejection.  The American system 
itself will come under pressure if the U.S. Congress is asked to do 
something it has never done.  But some influential U.S. analysts 
have already pointed out that American legislators need to 
understand that finger-wagging and being patronizing does not really 
work, especially where America's core interests are involved." 
 
"Dependence Syndrome," an op-ed by Javid Husain in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/13) 
 
"On the positive side, the [Kerry-Lugar] Bill triples the economic 
assistance for Pakistan to U.S. $1.5 billion thus according a much 
higher priority to economic assistance than to security assistance 
as the current state of our country requires....  Secondly, unlike 
the security assistance to be provided under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, 
the economic assistance under this Bill would be without any 
conditionalities.  On the negative side, the Bill subjects the 
security assistance to Pakistan to extremely intrusive 
conditionalities which are repugnant to Pakistan's sovereignty and 
an affront to its national dignity....  Despite our dependence 
syndrome, we cannot allow ourselves to be treated like an American 
colony.  It is surprising that our government failed to convey 
effectively our reservations to the U.S. government earlier after 
taking the various stakeholders into confidence through 
inter-ministerial consultations, something that our Foreign Minister 
is expected to do now during his forthcoming visit to the U.S." 
 
"Keeping Pakistan On Leash," an op-ed by Tarik Jan in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(10/13) 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Bill is at best Orwellian in character, with an 
abnormal desire to monitor and control and thus reshape Pakistan in 
its own image.  The impression the Bill conveys is holistic - it 
reins in civil administration, the armed forces, the alleged 
proliferationists, and the foreign policy apparatus.  Thus the day 
the Bill was passed it stirred a wave of pain, anguish, and worst a 
sense of humiliation across the nation....  The Bill whether revised 
or not, deserves to be ignored with warm thanks." 
 
"The Kerry-Lugar Debate," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(10/13) 
 
"Of course there are defects in the bill.  It is a crassly crude 
method of taking to task the democratic dispensation that exists 
today for the follies of several dictators whom they supported and 
propped up.  Besides, the Americans cannot draw up an indictment 
against a whole people or insult them merely to register their sense 
of hurt at the manner their money or interests had been handled by 
an earlier discredited coterie.  For the Americans to shout 'thief' 
today and start taking precautions when they were aware of the 
robbery years ago and chose to do nothing is knavish not merely 
foolish.  Nevertheless, we cannot let sentiment override national 
interest.  America's support is important for a host of reasons and 
especially so when terrorists bent on taking over Pakistan have to 
be thwarted.  There will be time enough, once this threat is 
eliminated, for point scoring and recrimination.  Neither America 
nor Pakistan can afford to wreck cooperation forged over a difficult 
decade just to indulge their pique, or an irate Congress, that seems 
to have lost its marbles.  A way out has to be found and lessons 
learnt." 
 
---------------------------- 
Pakistan's Nuclear Security 
---------------------------- 
 
"Pakistan's Safe Nuclear Assets," an editorial in the center-right 
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) 
 
"We are thankful to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and 
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband for adoption realistic 
stance on the security of Pakistan's nuclear assets....  We expect 
from America and western countries that they will play effective 
role in making Pakistan's economy strong....  We request Hillary 
Clinton and David Miliband to fulfill their promises of financial 
assistance to IDPs of Swat and Malakand." 
 
"Safeguarding N-Weapons," an editorial in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (10/13) 
 
"There are many who think the West's fear are unjustified as the 
establishment has evolved a foolproof command and control system, 
which ensures that whatever the situation in the country, the deadly 
weapons (N-Weapons) would not fall into unauthorized hands.  The 
high profile terrorist strike inside the GHQ, considered the 
 
securest of secure places." 
 
----- 
F-16 
----- 
 
"Pakistan To Get More F-16 Planes In 2010" "The News" (10/13) 
 
"The rolling out ceremony of first F-16 planes, due to be handed 
over to Pakistan next year, is set to be held in Lockheed Martin 
Headquarter at Dallas Forth Texas today (Tuesday).  Chief of 
Pakistan Air Force Rao Qamar will be the chief guest.  The 18 news 
aircraft will be equipped with the state-of-art  radar, electronic 
warfare system and long-range air-to-air missile." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson