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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000208 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 27, 2010 
 
Summary: Coverage of regional support for Afghan President Hamid 
Karzai's reconciliation and reintegration efforts with the Taliban 
dominated front-pages on Wednesday morning.  Along with the report, 
"Dawn," reported that the "United States and its allies are expected 
to set up a $500 million integration fund in London this week" to 
persuade Taliban fighters to join the political mainstream.  All 
major newspapers reported the Taliban's claim that they shot down 
another U.S. drone in North Waziristan.  Media reported that the 
government issued a new code of conduct for movement of foreigners, 
requiring them to obtain permission from "all departments of law 
enforcement agencies before leaving for prohibited areas." Seven 
mainstream dailies published the U.S. Mission's correction of a 
media report, published on 1/26, alleging Pakistani security 
officials were trained by the company formerly known as Blackwater. 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" published a story claiming Blackwater officials in 
Peshawar have shifted to secret locations.  "The Pakistan Observer" 
reported that "differences have emerged between Pakistan and the 
U.S. over the amount money to be released to Pakistan under the 
Coalition Support Fund (CRF)."  Newspapers also reported that the 
U.S. has asked Pakistan to stop blocking talks regarding the ban on 
production of fissile material. Media widely covered U.S. National 
Security Adviser James Jones' statement seeking greater Pakistan 
action against extremism and pledging Washington's determination for 
the long haul.  Admiral Mike Mullen's remarks urging India and 
Pakistan to "avoid public disputes" were also reported.  Media also 
reported that, according to a U.S. Congressionally mandated panel, 
the U.S. is not prepared for a biological terrorist attack.  A 
Washington Post story that "Al Qaeda still aims to use weapons of 
mass destruction" was prominently displayed.  Talks with the Taliban 
continued to dominate editorial pages.  While India's role in 
Afghanistan remains a concern for Pakistan (see "Summitry on 
Afghanistan", "Daily Times"), most editorialists responded 
positively to this development: "Dialogue With Taliban: A Right 
Decision In Right Direction" ("Mushriq"); and "Inclusion of Taliban" 
("Dawn").  Urdu language daily, "Islam," painted General 
McChrystal's statement on Taliban inclusion in the Afghan government 
as an acknowledgement of defeat ("U.S. Army's Concedes Defeat in 
Afghanistan.")   Urdu language dailies "Express" and "Nawa-i-Waqt," 
and English daily, "The Nation," ran editorials lauding China's 
"warning" to the U.S. regarding interference in China's internal 
matters and lecturing on the Kashmir issue: "China's Stance on 
Kashmir and the Offer of Mediation" ("Express"); "China's Warning To 
The U.S. And the Prerequisites Of Our Security" ("Nawa-i-Waqt"); and 
"China Rebuffs U.S." ("The Nation").  End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Karzai Move To Win Over Taliban Gets Support  - "Dawn" 
(01/27) 
 
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai won regional support on Tuesday for 
his efforts to cajole Taliban to lay down their arms. A joint 
statement after a meeting among the presidents of Pakistan, 
Afghanistan and Turkey and officials from China, Iran and Russia 
declared support for 'the Afghan national process of reconciliation 
and reintegration... in a way that is Afghan-led and -driven.' After 
the talks, President Karzai described moderate Taliban as 'sons of 
the Afghan soil' who should be brought back into the fold." 
 
News Story: U.S., Allies Plan $500m Fund To Woo Taliban  - "Dawn" 
(01/27) 
 
"The United States and its allies are expected to set up a $500 
million integration fund at a conference in London this week to lure 
Taliban fighters to join the political mainstream. 'We are going to 
go to London to affirm our international support for it,' said U.S. 
Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke. 'Money will be forthcoming for it. 
I can't say how much. The Japanese are going to take the lead.'" 
 
News Story: Taliban Claim Shooting Down Another Drone  - "The News" 
(01/27) 
 
"The Taliban in North Waziristan on Tuesday claimed to have shot 
down another US drone in Boya village of Dattakhel Tehsil near the 
border with Afghanistan but failed to provide any proof in this 
regard. Senior government officials based in Miramshah, the main 
town of North Waziristan, confirmed that a U.S. drone had crashed in 
the border village of Boya, but did not know about the cause of its 
crash." 
 
News Story: New Code Of Conduct For Movement Of Foreigners Issued - 
"The News" (01/27) 
 
"The government on Tuesday issued a new code of conduct for movement 
of foreigners living in Pakistan and they have been asked to take 
permission from the Defence and Foreign Ministries for security 
clearance, a private TV channel reported." 
 
News Story: No Staff Trained by Blackwater For Pak Leaders' 
Security, Says U.S. Embassy - "The News," 
 
"Business Recorder," "Pakistan Observer," "Jang," "Nawa-i-Waqt," 
"Ausaf," "Jinnah" (01/27) 
"The U.S. Embassy on Tuesday contradicted and termed as 'completely 
baseless and untrue' a report carried by several daily newspapers on 
Monday (January 25) that Pakistani security officials trained by the 
company formerly known as Blackwater have been providing security 
for Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani." 
 
News Story: Blackwater Officials Leave Residences In Peshawar, Shift 
Over To Secret Locations" "Nawa-i-Waqt" (01/27) 
 
"After strong protest from the members of the NWFP Assembly, the 
Blackwater agents present in Peshawar have left their residences and 
shifted over to some secret places. In a recent session of the NWFP 
Assembly, senior provincial minister Bashir Bilour had admitted that 
these agents were operating in Peshawar while the members of the 
house had strongly protested over their presence in the city. 
According to sources, as many as 15 Blackwater operatives are 
providing security services to the U.S. diplomats of the Peshawar 
Consulate, and these agents reside in houses situated at Old Bara 
Road and University Town. But after the protest from the NWFP 
Assembly members, they have shifted over to undisclosed places." 
 
News Story: CRF Funds - Pak, U.S. Draw Battle Lines  - "Pakistan 
Observer" (01/27) 
 
"Differences have emerged between Pakistan and U.S. over the amount 
money to be released to Pakistan under Coalition Support Fund (CRF) 
and on Tuesday the negotiation between the two countries over this 
matter concluded inconclusively, Finance Ministry sources told 
Online." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Accused Of Delaying Geneva Nuclear Talks  - 
"Dawn" (01/27) 
 
"Pakistan is delaying international talks on a ban on the production 
of new nuclear bomb material, insisting that any deal must also 
require its archrival India to reduce its existing stockpile. 
President Barack Obama has pushed for the ban, and the United States 
on Tuesday urged Pakistan to allow a quick start to the talks at the 
UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. 'It is imperative that we 
work together ... and begin substantive work in 2010,' U.S. 
representative Garold N. Larson told the meeting." 
 
News Story: U.S. Success Linked To Pakistan's Cooperation: Obama 
Aide  - "Dawn" (01/27) 
 
"The U.S. success in Afghanistan is directly linked to Pakistan's 
willingness to cooperate and act against the militants, says a top 
Obama aide. 'It is beyond question that the speed with which we are 
able to achieve our goals in Afghanistan has a link to the 
willingness of Pakistan to take on the fact that safe havens exist 
in the border region," said U.S. National Security Adviser James 
Jones." 
 
News Story: U.S. Urges India, Pakistan To Avoid Public Disputes  - 
"Dawn" (01/27) 
 
"In a gathering that included senior Pakistani and Indian military 
officials, the U.S. Military Chief urged all senior officers in 
attendance to avoid the kind of public disputes that have hurt 
regional relations in the past. 'I think it's really important that 
we work as hard as we can with each other, and that any kind of 
public accusations or public finger pointing, quite frankly, that 
does not serve any of us well,' said Admiral Mike Mullen." 
 
News Story: U.S. Not Ready For Bioterrorist Attack: Report  - "Daily 
Times" (01/27) 
 
"The U.S. is not prepared for a biological terrorist attack, said a 
congressionally mandated panel in a report released on Tuesday. The 
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction 
Proliferation gave President Barack Obama's administration a failing 
grade for its efforts to prepare for and respond to a biological 
attack, such as the release of deadly viruses or bacteria." 
 
News Story: Al Qaeda Still Aims To Use Weapons Of Mass Destruction 
- "Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
 "An American newspaper has published a report that warns that Al 
Qaeda has not abandoned its goal of attacking the U.S. with a 
chemical, biological or even nuclear weapon.... The Washington Post 
says that the report by a former CIA official, Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, 
has claimed that Al Qaeda has been far more sophisticated in its 
pursuit of weapons of mass destruction than is commonly believed, 
pursuing parallel paths to acquiring weapons and forging alliances 
with groups that can offer resources and expertise." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: 8 Americans Injured In Attack On U.S. Base In Kabul - 
"Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
"A suicide car bomber targeted a U.S. base in the Afghan capital on 
Tuesday, wounding 14 people, including eight Americans, said 
officials, hours after gunmen killed four policemen in southern 
Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: New Tension Flares Between U.S., Afghan Leader  - "The 
Nation" (01/27) 
 
 "Afghan President Hamid Karzai hit back Tuesday at stinging 
criticism by the U.S. Ambassador, raising new questions about ties 
between the two nations two days ahead of a key conference in 
London. The New York Times published diplomatic cables sent by 
President Barack Obama's envoy to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry, in which 
he warned Karzai was 'not an adequate strategic partner.'" 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: U.S. Committed To Lasting Ties With Afghan, Pak: Hillary 
- "The Nation,"  "The News" (01/27) 
 
"The United States is committed to build a lasting partnership with 
Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
said on Monday. 'While our military mission in Afghanistan is not 
open-ended, we are committed to building lasting partnerships with 
both Afghanistan and Pakistan,' she said at a joint media 
availability with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in 
Washington." 
 
News Story: Zardari Asks India Not To Escalate Arms Race  - "The 
News" (01/27) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday expressed the hope that India 
would not escalate the arms race in the region, adding that the 
government would keep open the option of dialogue without lowering 
its guard and would welcome technology like drone predators, the 
President observed during a detailed interview with the Turkish 
Radio & Television (TRT)." 
 
News Story: Development Key To Pakistan's Fight Against Taliban: 
Qureshi - "Daily Times" (01/27) 
 
"Development programs in Pakistan's war-torn areas are an essential 
part of its fight against Taliban, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood 
Qureshi said on Tuesday. 'Holding and building violence-affected 
areas (is) fundamental to achieving a decisive victory against 
terrorism," Qureshi told the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) 
conference." 
 
News Story: Paramilitary Troops Replace Police In Quetta  - "Dawn" 
(01/27) 
 
"Paramilitary FC troops were deployed in the city and 11 policemen 
were arrested on Tuesday as provincial government acted to restore 
order, following violent protests on Monday by police personnel 
against their low salary, a senior official said." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: World Bank To Provide $6.5bn In 4 Years  - "Dawn" 
(01/27) 
 
"The World Bank will provide about $6.5 billion to Pakistan over the 
next four years (2010-13) to fight poverty and help overcome 
economic boom-and-bust cycles, while briefing newsmen on the 
forthcoming medium-term country assistance strategy in Islamabad on 
Tuesday, WB Country Director Yusupha Crookes said." 
 
News Story: Cabinet To Decide Fate Of RPPs Today - "The News" 
(01/27) 
 
"The Federal Cabinet will decide the fate of the Rental Power 
Projects (RPPs) in the light of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 
report on Wednesday. The Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet today 
(Wednesday) with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the 
chair, will review the ADB report, which clearly states that if the 
RPPs are installed, the electricity tariff will go up by 45 per 
cent." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Inclusion of Taliban, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/27) 
 
"Despite Gen Stanley McChrystal's strong hints about the possibility 
of the inclusion of some Taliban leaders in a government in 
Kabul.... The realization now seems to be dawning that a troop surge 
alone will not ensure victory for the International Security 
Assistance Force in Afghanistan - the Taliban cannot be vanquished 
by military means alone. That would make a negotiated political 
arrangement crucial to ending the conflict." 
 
Editorial: "U.S. Commander's Announcement Of Talks With The Taliban, 
an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) 
(01/27) 
 
"General McChrystal said in an interview to Financial Times that 
much time has passed and now it is possible to elicit Taliban 
support to form a government in Afghanistan in which senior Taliban 
leaders can be included....  Another development in this respect is 
the statement by the UN Mission, Afghanistan head in which he 
demanded exclusion of some Taliban from the terrorists list....  The 
news reports about peaceful political resolution of Afghanistan 
dispute through serious dialogue with the Taliban and possibility of 
their inclusion in the proposed government are pleasing for every 
peace loving individual.... Pakistan should play an active role to 
make the peace process fruitful in order to rid the hapless Afghan 
nation of the bloodshed and destruction continuing for the last 30 
years." 
 
Editorial: Gen. Stanley McChrystal's Realization, an editorial in 
the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (Cir5000) (01/27) 
 
"The senior-most U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley 
McChrystal, has said that there has been enough war, there should 
now be talks with the Taliban.... It is hoped that just as the U.S. 
commander is moving towards dialogue [with the Afghan Taliban], a 
similar stance would be adopted towards the Pakistani Taliban. This 
would indeed produce positive results. But for that to happen, the 
U.S. leaders will need to give up their double standards regarding 
Pakistan.... Americans would eventually need to heed Gen 
McChrystal's realization that war is not the solution to all 
problems, and positive results are only produced through talks." 
 
Editorial: U.S. Army's Concedes Defeat In Afghanistan, an editorial 
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (01/27) 
 
"Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal's 
statement, in which he has said that the Taliban can help in running 
this country, is tantamount to confess the humiliating defeat. 
Anyhow we think that it is high time for Washington and its allies 
to change their thinking and policies, and undertake efforts to 
resolve all issues, including Afghanistan, peacefully." 
 
Editorial: Dialogue With Taliban: A Right Decision In Right 
Direction, an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily 
"Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (01/27) 
 
"The failure of the United States and its allies to defeat the 
Taliban and install a pliant administration in Afghanistan is 
evident from the willingness of these countries to engage the Afghan 
resistance forces politically. No doubt, the new approach to 
stabilize Afghanistan by including the Taliban in mainstream 
politics is feasible but the resistance forces would not accept this 
offer unless the foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan. The 
present Afghan government, which is nothing more than a U.S. puppet, 
can only play the role of a liaison between the two sides Taliban. 
We think that Washington is left with no option but to reach an 
agreement with the Taliban in order to stabilize Afghanistan." 
 
Editorial: Talking Forwards, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (01/27) 
 
 
"The talks about talks that are the talk of the diplomatic and 
military circuits are those that are to be had - or are already 
being had - with the Afghan Taliban which are the concern of Mr. 
Karzai.... The Americans will want to have a tongue in the talking 
and the British have said that whilst they support the idea of 
talking in principle they are not happy with Pakistan as the sole 
interlocutor and would prefer a 'team effort'. The bottom line for 
the Taliban will be that they will want to talk from a position of 
strength rather than weakness - easier to do in Afghanistan than in 
Pakistan - and those who want to talk to them will be seeking a 
similar position.... We should not expect it to be a rapid or tidy 
process, nor the end result to be picture-perfect and to the 
satisfaction of all." 
 
Editorial: Pakistan Dithers, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/27) 
 
"The U.S. position that Pakistan continue to expand its military 
operations while America alters its Afghan strategy and dialogues 
with the Taliban will spell disaster for Pakistan even as it leaves 
it isolated as happened the last time it entered a U.S.-led war as a 
frontline state in the region. In this connection, Zardari also 
needs to realize that the London Conference has little to offer 
Pakistan. Even the UN seems skeptical about the outcome. There is a 
general feeling that the U.S. and ISAF will use the Conference to 
get support for their policies including giving India a larger 
military role in Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, now that both Gates and 
McChrystal have recognized the need to bring in the Taliban in any 
future Afghan state structure, this issue will also come up in 
London. What exactly will Pakistan be seeking under these 
circumstances? Judging from our past performances on this count, it 
appears that as usual we will be caught off guard." 
 
Editorial: Summitry on Afghanistan, an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (01/27) 
 
"The notion of a regional solution to Afghanistan's woes sounds fine 
in theory, and as far as its immediate neighbors and the chief 
architects of a political settlement allowing the U.S. and NATO 
forces to withdraw at some future date, i.e. the U.S. and U.K. are 
concerned, poses better prospects of success. The fly in the 
ointment is Pakistan's opposition to opening the door further to an 
Indian role, the rock on which the London conference and all similar 
initiatives beloved of the west may make shipwreck." 
 
Editorial: An Important Summit, an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (01/27) 
 
"The Istanbul summit had particular importance in the context of the 
forthcoming London conference on Afghanistan in countering the 
important role that some powers have been trying to give to India in 
Afghan affairs. Even otherwise more meetings between the leaders of 
Pakistan and Afghanistan are called for to foil the conspiracies of 
third parties out to sow seeds of discord between neighbors. The 
conference in Istanbul would prove especially helpful in evolving a 
joint strategy for the London conference." 
 
Editorial: Trilateral Summit For Talks With Taliban, an editorial in 
the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (01/27) 
 
"The policy of heavy reliance on the use of force at the instance of 
the United States and other Western countries has stocked further 
terrorism with serious implications for Pakistan and Afghanistan. 
Incidentally, the United States too has come to the same conclusion 
that no amount of surge in troops would work until and unless the 
process of dialogue is initiated with what it dubs as good 
Taliban.... We, however, believe that there is no military solution 
of the conflict - be it in Afghanistan or the border region on this 
side of the Durand Line, and the Government (Pakistani) will have to 
ultimately settle the issue politically." 
 
Editorial: Elimination Of Terrorism And Istanbul Conference 
Declaration, an editorial in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (Cir. 
25,000) (01/27) 
 
"The Istanbul Declaration is proof of the fact that the policy 
Pakistan has adopted in the 8 years of war on terror is the right 
one, and only that can produce far-reaching results. Pakistan is the 
first country in the region that adopted a multi-pronged policy 
against terror and stressed that use of force is necessary against 
extremists and terrorists, but along with that, talks must be held 
with elements that renounce extremism and accept the government's 
writ.... The international community must provide generous funds for 
development projects in areas affected by extremism in Afghanistan 
and Pakistan, as uprooting terrorism is in the interests of the 
entire world." 
 
Editorial: China Rebuffs U.S., an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/27) 
 
"Although the reality of China's status as a world power is no 
longer debatable, the U.S. prefers deceiving itself with the thought 
that it still can play the role of the solitary superpower, 
masterminding policies of whichever country it wants. It is somehow 
not appreciating the full impact of China's rise as a global 
economic giant and growing military might and its own declining 
power - all that, with several other countries fast catching up in 
the development field, has radically altered the scenario. Yet, it 
considers its right to proffer counsels to others on both internal 
and external matters. The Chinese, however, are no longer in a mood 
to accept.. They have, therefore, strongly rebuffed Washington's 
criticism of their attitude towards the issue of human rights and 
their policy on Indo-Pakistan relations and Kashmir. China has 
asserted that it needs no counseling and knows full well how to take 
care of its interests." 
 
Editorial: China's Warning To The U.S. And The Prerequisites Of Our 
Security, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (01/27) 
 
"China has warned America against interference in its internal 
matters and lecturing it on India, Pakistan and Kashmir....  China 
fully understands that America wants to establish its hegemony via 
India in order to achieve its objectives in the region.  That was 
why China reiterated its principle stand on Kashmir and 
categorically warned America to abstain from its aggressive 
designs....  Our rulers too should openly support China and tell 
America that regional peace and Pak-India friendship cannot be 
achieved until the Kashmir dispute is resolved in keeping with the 
UN resolutions." 
 
Editorial: China's Stance On Kashmir And The Offer Of Mediation, an 
editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) 
(01/27) 
 
"China has warned America against interfering in its internal 
matters and lecturing it on issues related to Kashmir, Pakistan and 
India.... The question is: are India and the U.S. colluding to test 
China's nerves? If this is true, then China has done well to give a 
tit-for-tat response.  The Chinese spokesman is right in saying that 
the U.S. should not talk about the Kashmir issue if it cannot play a 
role in helping resolve it.... Sooner or later, India will have to 
choose one of two options on Kashmir:  dialogue with Pakistan or 
implementation of UN resolutions on the issue. And it is very 
heartening that Pakistan has China's vote on [Kashmir]." 
 
Editorial: Pakistan Losing EU Market, an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (01/27) 
 
"At a time when Pakistan was seeking greater access to U.S. and 
European Union markets, a report published in this newspaper has 
warned that the country could even lose whatever access it already 
has to EU market once the 27-member economic blocs inks deal with 
India on the under-discussion Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is 
likely to be finalized next year.... This was evident from the fact 
that the EU had first-ever summit meeting with Pakistan in June last 
year but the initiative could not produce desired results." 
 
Opinion: An Unwinnable War, an op-ed by Rizwan Asghar in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (01/27) 
 
"President Obama will not be able to win the war in Afghanistan but 
he could save his country from a disgraceful defeat. However, so far 
President Obama has based his strategy on the dictates of a warlike 
strategy.... Obama is trying to win a losing war and which no 
invader from Alexander the Great to Soviet Russia could win. The 
forces of history are bound to succeed this time again. The war in 
Afghanistan is not only unwinnable but its prolongation is 
detrimental to U.S. national security. For American troops it is 
time to move away from their infatuation with war and go back before 
they bring the U.S. down to dust. Perhaps it will not be wrong to 
say at this time that history is not on Obama's side. After eight 
years of bloodshed and strife, Afghanistan remains an incubator for 
terrorists and a haven for Al Qaeda recruits." 
 
Opinion: Secretary Robert Gates Visit To Islamabad, an op-ed by Air 
Marshal Ayaz A. Khan (R) in the Islamabad-based rightist English 
daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (01/27) 
 
"As a long time CIA top official in the past, and U.S. Secretary of 
Defense under George Bush and now under Barack Obama, Gates should 
have shown restraint in his pro-India utterances. No one in Obama 
Administration has been mired in Pakistan for as long as Defense 
Secretary Robert Gates, yet is insensitive of Pakistani feelings. He 
regretted the trust deficit between Washington and Islamabad, and 
tried to soothe the country gnawing rancor towards the United 
States. Some U.S. officials take Pakistan for granted as a boot boy, 
which could be ordered around to do their bidding. And the questions 
hurled at Mr. Gates by journalists and military officials reflected 
the Pakistani resentment. New York Times reports that during a 
closed door session with the students and faculty at the National 
Defense University at Islamabad, a military officer asked, Are you 
with us or against us? Mr. Gates could hardly miss that the 
Pakistani officer was mimicking former President George Bush. 
Stunned Secretary Gates replied, off course we are with you. That 
indeed was the essence and the message Mr. Gates wanted Pakistani to 
accept." 
 
Opinion: Snatch And Grab Pak Nukes, an op-ed by S.M. Hali in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (01/27) 
 
"U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, during his recent visit to 
Islamabad has assured Pakistan: 'The United States has no desire to 
control Pakistan's nuclear weapons or covet a single inch of its 
soil or seek military bases in Pakistan.'... Perhaps, the U.S. State 
Department needs to rein in its own media to avoid indulging in an 
organized campaign of 'propaganda' misrepresenting the U.S. 
intentions in the region lest they cause a misadventure. Pakistan is 
not Iraq or Afghanistan. Its military is battle hardened and its 
Nuclear Command Authority fully capable of exercising the nuclear 
option at the exact moment and the precise targets. Our South Asian 
neighbors should join forces to thwart any external aggression. If 
India is also involved in this conspiracy, it should be mindful that 
if the Pakistani nukes are targeted today, the Indian nukes can meet 
the same fate tomorrow." 
 
Opinion: The Time To Talk To The Taliban Is Now, an op-ed by Ahmed 
Rashid in the Peshawar-based independent regional daily "The 
Statesman" (cir. 3,000) (01/27) 
 
"The vast majority of Afghans do not want the return of a Taliban 
regime despite their anger at the Karzai government and the general 
international failure to deliver economic progress. Many Afghans 
believe that as long as western troops remain, there is still the 
hope that security can return and their lives change for the 
better.... There is an urgent need for a publicly promoted strategy 
involving concrete efforts to build political institutions and 
provide humanitarian aid in ways that do not require intrusive 
western control - a strategy that could attract many members of the 
Taliban, reduce violence, and placate Afghans who are opposed to 
such compromises. Obama officials have talked up the need for such a 
strategy but accomplished little during his first year. Yet such 
goals are of paramount importance." 
Opinion: Drones And The Law, an op-ed by Rafia Zakaria in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (01/27) 
 
"While there has been much anger and public outcry against the drone 
attacks in Pakistan, there have been few attempts to present 
objections to international forums where the violations of 
international instruments can be noted. Commentators in the 
Pakistani media have focused exclusively on the utility of these 
attacks in killing foreign fighters rather than their legality. The 
problem with the former approach is that it evaluates the attacks 
from the angle of political and tactical considerations at the 
expense of the legal. Given the increasing frequency of drone 
attacks in Pakistan, as well as the likelihood of the expansion of 
the program, it is imperative that human rights and civil society 
groups in Pakistan unite in protesting the illegality of the attacks 
and attempt to garner the support of the international community 
against them." 
 
News Analysis: Troika On Rampage, by Sikander Shaheen in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(01/27) 
 
"U.S. covert organisation Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) 
notorious reputation to eliminate its 'enemies' is known well to the 
world and its intensive efforts, which have been underway since 
long, to form a vicious alliance with Israel and India have finally 
begun to show.... Apart from that, as reported by U.S. Homeland 
Security Newswire and local Indian media, Israel and India, in 
December last year, had a series of meetings of joint defence 
working group focusing counterterrorism and intelligence sharing, 
delivery of weapons and enhancement of cooperation in research and 
development.... Given that the U.S. barely sees any signs of success 
in its so-called war on terror in Afghanistan, U.S. and Israel are 
encouraging Indian military and economic presence in Afghanistan to 
serve the purpose. While Pakistan is asked to 'do more' the U.S. and 
India, with the help of pro-American Afghan government, are all set 
to engage 'likeminded' and moderate Taliban into talks, to use them 
for destabilizing Pakistan and Iran. Under the scenario, the 
situation deems fit into what is described by some analysts as 
FINISH plan, abbreviated from 'financial ruin, infrastructure 
destruction, nuclear scientists elimination, Indian hegemony, 
seizing of physical nuclear weapons and harassing Pakistan's 
leadership and its public.'" 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson