VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0252/01 0331017
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021017Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7178
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0642
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 6285
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2306
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 8336
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2333
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000252 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 02, 2010 
 
Summary: Coverage of Army Chief General Kayani's statement that 
"Pakistan doesn't want to control Afghanistan," dominated headlines 
in all newspapers on Tuesday morning.  President Obama's budget 
proposal for FY 2011 received wide coverage in Pakistani media, and 
nearly all papers highlighted reports that the administration has 
sought Congressional approval for a "substantial increase" in 
economic and security aid for Pakistan.  Media also reported the 
arrest of an American national along with a Pakistani in Jamrud 
(Khyber Agency of FATA) for traveling without necessary documents. 
Speculation surrounding the reported death of Tehrik-i-Taliban 
Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud continued to garner media 
coverage today.  Some newspapers published a New York Times report 
that U.S. and Pakistani officials are "increasingly convinced" that 
Mehsud is dead, and "The News" reported that a local Taliban 
commander Malik Noor Jamal alias Maulana Toofan is officiating as 
the acting head of the banned outfit.   Several major newspapers 
highlighted the U.S. donation of 40 ambulances to four district 
health departments.  Both electronic and print media reported that 
the trial of Dr. Aafia has entered its final stage.  All newspapers 
highlighted a suicide bomb explosion in Baghdad killing Shia 
pilgrims.  End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Kayani Spells Out Terms For Regional Stability - "Dawn" 
(02/02) 
 
"Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Monday 
the success of military operations in the tribal regions have caused 
substantial decline in cross-border attacks on Nato forces in 
Afghanistan and warned that it was essential to address Pakistan's 
long-term strategic concerns for stability in the region. In a rare 
press briefing, General Kayani said it would be a cause of worry for 
Pakistan if Afghanistan's projected army developed the potential to 
take on Pakistan . . . . 'We want a strategic depth in Afghanistan 
but do not want to control it,' the general said while talking to a 
group of journalists at the Army General Headquarters." 
 
News Story:  Pakistan Doesn't Want A 'Talibanised' Afghanistan - 
"Daily Times" (02/02) 
 
"Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani has denied that Pakistan 
wants a "Talibanised" Afghanistan, and said his country has no 
interest in controlling Afghanistan. 'We can't wish for anything for 
Afghanistan that we don't wish for ourselves,' Kayani was quoted as 
saying by the AFP news agency on his return from Brussels in a rare 
address to foreign journalists - much of which was devoted to 
Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: Obama Admin Seeks Raise In Economic, Security Aid For 
Pakistan - "The News" (02/02) 
 
"The Obama administration has sought congressional approval for 
substantial increase in funding US assistance for Pakistan in the 
2011 fiscal budget with a focus on economic development, energy 
projects and improvement in counterinsurgency capability of 
Pakistani security forces." 
 
News Story: Obama Seeks Aid Boost For Pakistan, Afghanistan - "Dawn" 
(02/02) 
 
"In a document issued on Monday with the Obama administration's 
first $3.8 trillion budget, the White House described strengthening 
governance in Pakistan and Afghanistan as one of its high-priority 
goals. Under the title, 'High-priority performance goals,' the White 
House Office of Management and Budget stressed that 'strengthening 
Afghanistan's and Pakistan's capacity to effectively provide 
services to citizens' was one of the administration's main goals for 
the next fiscal year." 
 
News Story: American, Pakistani Arrested In Jamrud -"Daily Times" 
(02/02) 
 
"The political administration of Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency on 
Monday arrested an American national and his Pakistani companion, 
officials said. Official sources told Daily Times that Brid Metho 
and his friend, Rafi Malik, were arrested in Wazirdhand area after 
they illegally entered Jamrud from the Karkhano Market area in 
Peshawar. They said the men entered an area that is off-limits to 
foreigners without government authorization." 
News Story: US, Pakistani Officials Believe Mehsud Is Dead -"Daily 
Times" (02/02) 
 
"Pakistani and US officials are increasingly convinced that 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Chief Hakeemullah Mehsud has died from 
injuries sustained in a drone strike, The New York Times reported 
late on Sunday." 
 
News Story: Maulana Toofan new acting TTP chief-"The News" (02/02) 
 
"As reports of Hakimullah Mahsud's death continued to circulate 
despite denials by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports from 
Orakzai Agency said a local Taliban commander Malik Noor Jamal alias 
Maulana Toofan was officiating as the acting head of the banned 
organization. The reports said Malik Noor Jamal would head the 
organization until the TTP leadership decides its next course of 
action." 
 
News Story:  U.S. Donates 40 Ambulances To Four More District Health 
Departments - "Pakistan observer," "Jang," "Express," "Jinnah," 
"Al-Akhbar," (02/02) 
 
"In a ceremony held in Lahore, the United States government donated 
40 ambulances to the Dadu, Jafferabad, Vehari and Multan district 
health departments.  The ambulances will help save the lives of 
those in need of urgent medical care, especially pregnant women and 
newborns, by providing more rapid access to local health centers." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story:  US Must Reassure Pak Of 'Credible Commitment': Defence 
Review - "The Nation" (02/02) 
 
"US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has ordered the Air Force and 
Navy to study what future joint weapons system, available 20 years 
from now, will be able to surveil an enemy target, survive any 
electronic interference, and then deliver precision strikes from 
platforms that either penetrate the foe's defences or are launched 
from a distance, according to a report published in The Washington 
Post. . . . In discussing the region of Iraq, Afghanistan and 
Pakistan, the QDR states that Washington must reassure partners of a 
'credible long-term commitment, deter regional actors from 
aggression while balancing that requirement against regional 
sensitivity to a large, long-term US force presence'." 
 
News Story: NATO Offers To Train Pakistani Officers- "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"NATO and Pakistan have discussed ways to boost cooperation, and the 
military alliance stands ready to train Pakistani officers if 
requested, Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on 
Monday." 
 
News Story: Efforts Begin To Identify Reconcilable Taliban - "Dawn" 
(02/02) 
 
"Serious efforts have begun in Islamabad, Washington and Kabul to 
identify reconcilable elements in Afghan Taliban ranks following an 
international endorsement at the London Conference last week of 
President Karzai's reintegration plan. The United States, which 
wants the integration plan to be operationalised by middle of the 
year, requires the support of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, senior 
diplomats said on Monday." 
 
News Story: Forces Capture Important Hilltop In Bajaur - "The News" 
(02/02) 
 
"Security forces backed by gunship helicopters and fighter jets took 
control of a strategically important hilltop in Khaza Sar and 
Damadola in the Mamond subdivision of Bajaur Agency after fierce 
clashes with militants on Monday." 
 
News Story: Thousands Flee As 22 Killed In Bajaur - "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"At least 22 militants were killed and 12 others injured when 
military planes, helicopter gunships and artillery attacked 
militants' hideouts in Bajaur Agency on Monday." 
 
News Story: Tanker Carrying Oil For Nato Blown Up - "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"A tanker carrying fuel for Nato forces in Afghanistan was blown up 
here on Monday. Police said the tanker from the Attock Oil Refinery 
was attacked by heavily armed militants on the Rind Road." 
 
News Story: Defence Highlights Lack Of Coherence In Testimony 
Against Dr Aafia Siddiqui - "Daily Times" (02/02) 
 
"The trial of Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani scientist charged with 
shooting at her US interrogators in Afghanistan, moved into the 
final stage on Monday, with defence lawyers highlighting in their 
final arguments the lack of coherence in the accounts by prosecution 
witnesses." 
 
News Story:  No Quick Breakthrough Expected In Afghan Talks - "Daily 
Times" (02/02) 
 
"President Hamid Karzai has launched a high profile push to 
reconcile with his 'disenchanted brothers' in the Taliban, but few 
in Afghanistan see hope for a quick breakthrough while fighters 
smell victory on the battlefield." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: India Hints At Talks With Pakistan- "Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Monday that bilateral 
talks with Pakistan could be on the anvil if he visited Islamabad 
for the Saarc interior ministers conference." 
 
News Story:  US, Nato Holding Dialogue With Taliban: Imran - "The 
Nation" (02/02) 
 
"Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Monday dispelled the 
impression that mid-term elections would weaken the country, saying 
that if the current government completed its term, God forbid, 
Pakistan might not complete its time. Addressing a news conference 
here on Monday, Imran said that Pakistani Taliban were product of 
military operations. 'The United States and Nato are holding talks 
with Taliban, but we are killing our own people in our own country,' 
he said" 
 
News Story: America Will Run From Afghanistan And The Region Like 
Russia: Hafiz Saeed "Nawa-i-Waqt" (02/02) 
 
"Jamaatud Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed addressed a Nation/Nawa-i-Waqt/Waqt 
TV seminar on "Pakistan's domestic and foreign policy and external 
interference" yesterday.  Chief Editor Majid Nizami was also present 
during the seminar. Hafiz Saeed praised Nawa-i-Waqt and Majid Nizami 
and said Mr Nizami defends the ideology of Pakistan like  a 
general...Hafiz Saeed said that I can foresee a bright future; 
American and allied troops will leave the region after facing the 
worst possible defeat. America would neither be able to remain in 
the Gulf, nor any other country... He said a decision has been taken 
in the mountains of Afghanistan that America's superpower status 
will not remain much longer. .. [He added] America is held together 
by its economy, as the economy weakens [American] states will start 
breaking away, but Muslims are united by their faith...He said it 
was unfortunate that the Defense Minister says we do not have the 
capability of shooting down drones, although drones have been shot 
down [by the tribesmen]. He said our rulers must stop being scared 
of the U.S. and act courageously." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story:  Filling Of Mangla, Hydropower Projects In Jeopardy - 
"Dawn" (02/02) 
 
"The filling of Mangla Dam's additional 2.33 MAF (million acre feet) 
storage capacity built at a cost of more than Rs 90 billion and 
construction of cheap hydropower projects of about 4,500MW are in 
jeopardy because of non-implementation of the dam's up-raising 
agreement and three provinces' opposition to allocation of water for 
Azad Kashmir." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story:  Female Suicide Bomber Kills 54 In Baghdad -"The News" 
(02/02) 
 
"A female suicide bomber detonated her explosives inside a way 
station for pilgrims here on Monday, killing 54 people and rattling 
security officials who are struggling against a possible rise in 
violence before key elections next month. The attack was the third 
major strike by suspected insurgents in a week and left Baghdad's 
top security official acknowledging that extremists are adopting new 
methods to outwit bomb-detection squads such as stashing explosives 
deep inside the engines and frames of vehicles." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Dead Again, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/02) 
 
'The military has confirmed that it is investigating reports that 
Hakimullah Mehsud has died in Orakzai as a consequence of wounds 
inflicted during a recent drone strike. Determining the truth behind 
these rumors is hard given the inaccessibility of the areas hit by 
conflict. But what can safely be said is that evidence is emerging 
that the Taliban are more split than before." 
 
Editorial: Hakeemullah Again, an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/02) 
 
". . . . What is interesting though is the facts that the news was 
announced on state television when routinely breaking news emanate 
from private news channels. While neither Pakistani or US officials 
nor ISPR was willing to confirm the report, PTV went ahead to air 
this news report, which could be termed as speculative at best in 
the absence of credible evidence. Whether it was an attempt to cause 
unrest among their ranks - as the Taliban claim - would become clear 
only after the dust has settled and proof has emerged that 
Hakeemullah is indeed dead, or otherwise. All one can do at this 
point is speculate." 
 
Editorial: Policy Shift Needed, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/02) 
 
". . . West must be told in no uncertain terms to compensate 
Pakistan sufficiently for providing a yeoman's service in its war. 
But the government must also realise that it is finally the time to 
break ranks with the Americans. While they are packing up and 
leaving, given the humiliation that they have to suffer in 
Afghanistan, they want us to keep playing those ugly games. The 
drone attacks are intensifying a severe backlash. Reportedly, the US 
intends to continue the strikes for many years to come. The Foreign 
Minister must realise that this is a ploy to keep Pakistan embroiled 
in the conflict. The situation calls for removing these foreign 
policy dilemmas." 
 
Opinion: Courting The Taliban, an op-ed by Rahimullah Yusufzai in 
the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (02/02) 
 
"As parties to the conflict in Afghanistan plot their next move 
following the international conference in London, Pakistan and Saudi 
Arabia have come under focus as the two countries best placed to 
bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table. However, there is 
a crucial difference in the roles that Afghanistan and the US and 
its allies want to assign to Islamabad and Riyadh. While Saudi 
Arabia has been requested to mediate between the government of 
President Hamid Karzai and the Taliban, Pakistan among other 
neighbours of Afghanistan was asked to back the Afghan peace 
process. Islamabad was hoping to play an important role in resolving 
the Afghan conflict through its contacts with the Mulla Mohammad 
Omar-led Taliban, but it seems it isn't seen as a neutral player by 
the parties to the dispute and, therefore, unacceptable as 
mediator." 
 
Opinion: Light At The End Of The Tunnel, an op-ed by Javid Husain in 
the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(02/02) 
 
". . . . At present neither the Taliban nor the coalition forces are 
in a position to prevail. They, therefore, need to make use of 
dialogue and negotiations to find a way out of the current difficult 
situation. There is increasing recognition of this reality by the US 
officials. For instance, US General Stanley McChrystal in a recent 
interview with the Financial Times remarked: "As a soldier, my 
personal feeling is that there's been enough fighting. I believe 
that a political solution to all conflicts is the inevitable 
outcome." He wanted "to shape conditions which allow the people to 
come to a truly equitable solution to how the Afghan people are 
governed." He also did not rule out the possibility of seeing 
Taliban leaders in a future government in Kabul. . . ." 
 
Editorial: Preparation For An Operation In North Waziristan, an 
editorial note in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/02) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi has said that after South 
Waziristan, there will be an operation in North Waziristan as well 
for which we are considering resources and other matters...  During 
his recent visit to Pakistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates 
pressed Pakistan for an operation in North Waziristan, a pressure 
that the government boldly rejected... But the Foreign Minister's 
intent to start an operation in North Waziristan has dashed the 
nation's hopes... War is not the solution to any issue and as Nato 
Commander Stanley McChrystal has said, there has been enough war in 
Afghanistan, we must now look for a political solution. If the U.S. 
is ready for talks with the Taliban, Pakistan should also resolve 
matters along the same lines with the extremists." 
 
Editorial: Uncontrollable Increase In Petroleum Prices: Is The 
Government Paving The Way For A Bloody Revolution, an editorial in 
the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 
150,000) (02/02) 
 
"The government must revise the decision to increase prices of 
petroleum products. The Supreme Court Chief Justice must also take 
suo moto notice of this cruelty on the Pakistani nation as this step 
by the government could take the society towards turmoil." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
 
Patterson