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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000104 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP, AC, PM 
 
STATE FOR INR/MR 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
STATE FOR AID/APRE-A 
 
USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES VISIT, 
AFGHANISTAN, PRESIDENT OBAMA, INDO-PAK RELATIONS, 
TERRORISM; NEW DELHI. 
 
This countrywide cable reports on relevant media 
reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. 
The Mission reports on English-language media via email 
through the daily "Early Edition" summary. 
 
----------------------------- 
DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES VISIT 
----------------------------- 
 
¶1. "U.S. ACCEPTANCE," editorial in January 21 Hindi 
daily, AMAR UJALA: "U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates 
who visited India recently said two important things. 
First, India may not be as patient as the last time if 
it were to be attacked again by Pakistani militants. 
Second, he warned India of another imminent terror 
attack. Actually, Gates wants India to become a part of 
the international effort against terrorism. The U.S. 
has in the past acted only in its self-interest, even 
supporting Pakistan. But Gates seems to have accepted 
the truth that India is a victim of Pakistan-originated 
terrorism. Hope the rest of the U.S. administration 
falls in line with him." 
 
¶2. "GATES THREATENING," editorial in January 22 Leftist 
Kolkata Bengali daily, GANASHAKTI: "Going by the 
remarks of Secretary Gates, it appears that the U.S. is 
deeply concerned over terrorist violence. The main 
objective of his observations is to mount tremendous 
pressure on Pakistan. But doesn't he know who is 
responsible for rearing terrorists in Pakistan?  No 
matter what the U.S. says, both India and Pakistan 
should resume bilateral discussions. This will help 
eliminate the possibility of fishing in troubled waters 
by any third party." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶3. "ASSAULT BY TALIBAN," editorial in January 20 right- 
of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "The American President 
has put into use his entire military might against the 
Taliban. As a superpower, America has the 
responsibility to play its role, but the problem is 
that in that effort it is making enemies and creating 
hatred." 
 
¶4. "TALIBAN ATTACK," editorial in January 20 Hindi 
daily, NAI DUNIYA: "From the recent vicious Taliban 
attack in Kabul it is clear that despite the presence 
of the NATO forces the danger is still hovering over 
President Hamid Karzai and his cabinet. It is 
noteworthy that this attack has been launched when U.S. 
President Obama has sent more troops to take a decisive 
action in the war in Afghanistan. With this attack, the 
Taliban quite clearly wanted to demonstrate their 
strength, but the Taliban do not realize that such 
attacks will not deter the U.S." 
 
¶5. "OBAMA FACES FRESH TALIBAN CHALLENGE," editorial in 
 
NEW DELHI 00000104  002 OF 003 
 
 
January 19 Guwahati Assamese centrist, DAINIK 
JANASADHARAN: "The recent Taliban attack in Afghanistan 
has created a lot of skepticism about the future of 
Obama's Af-Pak policy. His decision to deploy more 
troops in Afghanistan might boomerang. He is likely to 
face adverse reactions at home if more American 
soldiers die in the battlefield. Moreover, Obama very 
well understands that a military offensive is not 
enough to crush the Taliban. This perhaps poses a 
bigger challenge for him." 
 
--------------- 
PRESIDENT OBAMA 
--------------- 
 
¶6. "HOW DID OBAMA PERFORM?" editorial in January 21 
right-of-center Urdu daily, INQUILAB: "President Obama 
failed to practice what he has preached. He wanted to 
win the hearts of Muslims, but he forgot that hearts 
are not won by mere speeches. It needs some concrete 
action and political will. There is an explicit 
difference between the Obama of yesteryears and that of 
today. If his tone has changed in a year, one can 
imagine what will happen by the time he ends his 
Presidential tenure!" 
 
¶7. "WHEEL OF CHANGE," editorial in January 22 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: 
"Senator-elect Scott Brown's victory has deep symbolic 
and political significance. Possibly, President Obama 
will have to refrain himself from implementing the 
highly controversial healthcare bill and that will 
certainly be a political defeat for him and his party. 
So, the change not only deepens his concern for any 
electoral misfortune three years from now, but also 
alters the present political scenario. The American 
psyche is now in a state of flux. It remains to be seen 
where it ultimately leads." 
 
------------------ 
INDO-PAK RELATIONS 
------------------ 
 
¶8. "DEFEAT OF IPL AT LOC," editorial in January 21 
right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "During 
an auction of cricketers, no franchise purchased 
Pakistani cricketer. It shows that a unanimous decision 
had already been taken to boycott Pakistani players. We 
keep harping on the importance of good relations with 
Pakistan, and then we disgrace them! Such an act 
irreparably hurts bilateral relations." 
 
--------- 
TERRORISM 
--------- 
 
¶9. "AL QAEDA'S EXTENSION," editorial in January 22 
centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "Intelligence reports 
of the U.S. clearly hint towards the rapid expansion of 
the Al Qaeda network in Africa, Yemen and Pakistan. FBI 
 
NEW DELHI 00000104  003 OF 003 
 
 
director Robert Mueller recently said that Al Qaeda and 
its offshoots were spreading and rebuilding and 
therefore the U.S. cannot take solace from the fact 
that Al Qaeda has been dismantled in Afghanistan. These 
revelations only suggest that it is time for India and 
the U.S. to be on the alert." 
ROEMER