VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #0313/01 0401155
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091155Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7276
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0676
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 6319
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 2366
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 8370
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2367
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000313 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 09, 2010 
 
Summary:  India's proposal for resumption of talks with Pakistan 
continued to dominate the media Tuesday, and Defense Secretary 
Gates' statement denying that "U.S. is not propping India" received 
prominent display.  All major newspapers covered reports that the 
National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior rejected the GOP 
stance on Blackwater presence in Pakistan, and asked the authorities 
to inform about those foreigners who are operating in the country 
with sophisticated weapons. Papers also quoted Interior Minister 
Malik's assertion that the Blackwater is not operating in the 
country.  Newspapers reported that the sister and mother of Dr. 
Aafia met with Prime Minister Gilani who assured them of the 
government's support for her release.  Ambassador Patterson's Lahore 
visit also garnered extensive media attention.  Reports and 
photographs of her meeting with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, 
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and visit to the Lahore Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry were highlighted. The Lahore-based liberal 
English paper, "Daily Times," published a Washington Post report 
quoting a Washington think-tank Third Way, that "Al Qaeda is a 
wounded but dangerous enemy." Media reported an Al Qaeda leader 
Sufyan al Azdi's statement, in an audio message released on the 
internet, calling for attacks on U.S. interests everywhere. 
Newspapers covered a report that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) 
has sent eight female suicide bombers to attack high-value targets 
in Punjab. Coverage of the assassination attempt on senior 
politician and by-election candidate Sheikh Rashid in Rawalpindi 
outside his election office dominated front pages this morning. 
Commenting on the reported major NATO offensive in Afghan province 
Helmand, "Dawn," noted that "it seems unlikely that the Taliban will 
take on the might of ISAF head-on: they may prefer to melt away 
instead." Toeing the line, "Daily Times," called the Taliban's 
defiance "merely a feint," and "when the coalition forces actually 
move in, the guerrillas could just melt away."   End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: America For Back Channel Diplomacy - "The Nation" 
(02/09) 
 
"United States has dismissed Pakistani perceptions that it was 
propping India, saying that New Delhi 'did not need us for that 
purpose' and has advocated that the two neighbors resolve their 
differences bilaterally, reported Times of India on Monday. 'I would 
tell you that the United States clearly has not or has ever propped 
up India. India has not needed us for that purpose and, in fact, 
those familiar with the history would know that our relationship 
with India was fairly strained until not too many years ago,' 
Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said." 
 
News Story: NA Body Seeks Comprehensive Report On Blackwater  - 
"Daily Times" (02/09) 
 
"Rejecting the Interior Ministry's claim of the 'non-existence' of 
the U.S.-based security firm Blackwater in the country, the National 
Assembly Standing Committee on Interior on Monday directed the 
ministry to present a comprehensive report on the issue." 
 
News Story: No Blackwater In Country: Malik  - "Daily Times" (02/09) 
 
 
"Blackwater is not operating in the country and national security 
agencies are protecting the Prime Minister and the President, 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday. He said this while 
responding to a point raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) 
Member of National Assembly Ishrat Ashraf during the proceedings of 
the House." 
 
News Story: Blackwater Present In Country: NA Body; Secretary 
Interior Denies Claim - "The Nation" (02/09) 
 
"Secretary Interior Qamar Zaman again negated on Monday the presence 
of Blackwater, DynCorp or any other foreign security agency in the 
country. 'Neither Blackwater and DynCorp nor any other such security 
agency is operating in the country,' he told the National Assembly 
Standing Committee on Interior. However, members of National 
Assembly's Standing Committee on Interior said that the private U.S. 
security firm Blackwater was present in the country." 
 
News Story: Dr. Aafia's Mother, Sister Call On PM - "Dawn" (02/09) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday the 
government would continue to extend diplomatic, legal and moral 
support to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui during her ordeal. He was talking to 
Dr. Aafia's mother Mrs. Ismat Siddiqui and Sister Dr. Fauzia 
Siddiqui who called on him in Karachi." 
 
News Story: Pak Embassy Did Not Pursue Aafia's Case Properly  - "The 
Nation" (02/09) 
 
"The Government's lack of interest, despite its tall claims for 
early release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, can be judged from the fact 
that no one from Pakistan's Embassy attended Dr. Aafia's hearing in 
the New York court that convicted her of late, in spite of the fact 
that all allegations leveled against her were proven wrong, 'The 
Nation' learned reliably." 
 
News Story: U.S. Gives $200,000 As Donation To LABARD -  "Business 
Recorder" (02/09) 
 
"The U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson on Monday handed over a 
cheque of $200,000 to Muhammad Pervez Malik, President of the Lahore 
Businessmen Association for Rehabilitation of Disabled (LABARD) as a 
donation. Speaking on the occasion, the U.S. Ambassador said that 
United States would continue to work with the LABARD in its endeavor 
to impart vocational training to the disabled persons." 
 
Pakistani Public Angry On Conviction of Dr. Aafia: Nawaz Sharif - 
"Jang" (02/09) 
 
"PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on Monday held a meeting with U.S. 
Ambassador Anne W. Patterson in Lahore and discussed with important 
issues including the changing political situation in the region, 
Indian offer for dialogue with Pakistan, London Conference, 
negotiations with the Taliban, and others. Nawaz Sharif said that 
Pakistani public is angry with the U.S. over the conviction of Dr. 
Aafia Siddiqui. He urged Washington to exert pressure on New Delhi 
for the early solution of the Kashmir issue." 
 
News Story: Al Qaeda Is A Wounded But Dangerous Enemy: Report - 
"Daily Times" (02/09) 
 
"New assessments of Al Qaeda by the top U.S. counter-terrorism 
experts offer grounds for both optimism and concern a year after 
U.S. President Obama took office, but warn that the Al Qaeda is a 
wounded but dangerous enemy, according to an article published in 
the 'Washington Post.'" 
 
News Story: Al Qaeda Leader Calls For Attacks On U.S. Interests  - 
"Dawn" (02/09) 
 
"Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based group that 
claimed a botched Christmas Day attack on a U.S. airliner, on Monday 
called for U.S. interests to be targeted 'everywhere.' 'American and 
Crusader interests are everywhere and their agents are moving 
everywhere,' the militant group's number two, Said al-Shihri, said 
in an audio message posted on the Internet." 
 
News Story: Six Held For Planning Attack On Five-Star Hotel, U.S. 
Nationals  - "Daily Times" (02/09) 
 
"Police on Monday arrested six suspected terrorists from GT Road, 
Shahdara, including a would-be suicide bomber, who were allegedly 
plotting to attack a five-star hotel and kill U.S. nationals. 
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police 
(Investigation) Zulfiqar Hameed said the Tehreek-e-Taliban 
Pakistan-linked terrorists were planning to target foreigners living 
at a well-known hotel in the city, adding that police recovered 
detonators, suicide jackets, 26 grenades, four kilogram's of hashish 
and explosive material from their possession." 
 
News Story: Three Killed As Gunmen Attack Election Office: Sheikh 
Rashid Defies Death Squad - "Dawn" (02/09) 
 
"Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was injured while 
three other people, including two bodyguards, were killed when 
gunmen opened fire on his vehicle outside his party's election 
office here on Monday. Rawalpindi's Regional Police Officer Aslam 
Tareen termed the attack an act of terrorism and targeted killing." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: U.S., NATO Plan Big Offensive In Helmand  - "Dawn" 
(02/09) 
 
"U.S. and NATO forces are set to launch in southern Afghanistan this 
week a major offensive being described as the biggest assault of its 
kind since Vietnam four decades ago. 'Our basic strategy is, is to 
reverse the momentum of the Taliban; to deny them control of 
population centers and production centers,' said U.S. Defence 
Secretary Robert Gates." 
 
News Story: NATO Seeks Surrender But Taliban Defiant  - "Dawn" 
(02/09) 
 
"NATO Commanders urged the Taliban to surrender as troops dug in on 
Monday for a major assault on a key stronghold of militants in 
southern Afghanistan, sending thousands of residents fleeing. Final 
preparations for battle with Taliban militants around Marjah in 
Helmand province, which could begin within days, had begun, Lt-Col 
James Matt Baker of 1st Battalion 3rd Marines Regiment said 
referring to the final phase of assault preparations." 
 
News Story: Taliban Vow To Defend Marjah - "The Nation" (02/09) 
 
"Taliban fighters have pledged to defend the town of Marjah from an 
imminent NATO offensive, saying that their ranks had been bolstered 
by foreign fighters eager to fight against western troops. NATO 
commanders called on the Taliban to surrender as troops dug in 
Monday for a major assault on one of the last insurgent strongholds 
in southern Afghanistan, sending thousands of residents fleeing." 
 
News Story: Two NATO Troops Killed - "The Nation" (02/09) 
 
"Two soldiers with NATO-led forces fighting Taliban-led insurgents 
were killed in a bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan, NATO said 
on Monday." 
 
News Story: 12 Soldiers Killed In South Waziristan - "The News" 
(02/09) 
 
"Twelve soldiers embraced martyrdom while two others were injured in 
a clash with militants during the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijaat in 
South Waziristan Agency (SWA), the ISPR said on Monday." 
 
News Story: 15 Compounds Cleared In S. Waziristan  - "The Nation" 
(02/09) 
 
"Security forces have apprehended five terrorists and cleared 15 
compounds, besides seizing a huge cache of arms and ammunition in 
South Waziristan Agency and Swat-Malakand region, ISPR reported on 
Monday." 
 
News Story: Several Jundullah Militants Extradited To Iran: Fehmida 
- "Daily Times" (02/09) 
 
"Pakistani security forces have captured several members of the 
Jundullah terrorist group and handed them over to Iranian 
authorities, National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza has said, 
according to Iran's Press TV channel." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: U.S. Sees Improvement In India's Attitude  - "Dawn" 
(02/09) 
 
"The United States says it has seen a positive change in India's 
attitude towards Pakistan, after the relationship between the two 
neighbors was stalled in the aftermath of the November 2008 
terrorist attacks on Mumbai. The 2010 threat assessment report of 
the U.S. intelligence community points out that Indian Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh publicly reaffirmed two critical points 
about Pakistan: 'That India does not want to see the country fail, 
and that Pakistan is engaged in efforts to combat the Taliban 
operating on Pakistani territory.'" 
 
News Story: No Hegemonic Aim But Defence Needs To Be Met: Gilani  - 
"Dawn" (02/09) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said Pakistan does not harbor 
any hegemonic designs in the region, but cannot remain oblivious to 
the need of equipping its armed forces to enable them to meet 
legitimate defence needs. He was speaking at the induction of the 
second Chinese-built F-22P frigate, PNS Shamsheer, into Pakistan 
Navy at the dockyard in Karachi on Monday." 
 
News Story: Pakistan May Adopt Tough Stance Over Indian Talks Offer 
- "Daily Times" (02/09) 
 
"Pakistan might adopt a tough stance over India's offer for talks 
and press for 'result-oriented dialogue' linked to a timeline for 
the resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries, 
including the Kashmir dispute, according to diplomatic sources." 
 
News Story: UNSC's Surprise 'Welcome' To London Conference  - "The 
Nation" (02/09) 
 
"Amid hue and cry over the failure of London Conference without 
yielding any worthy outcome, the United Nations, in a surprising 
move, has 'welcomed' the results of the same moot. The United 
Nations' Security Council on Friday has come up with all praises for 
the controversial London moot, which has faced enormous criticism 
from media, key regional players, and Taliban as well thanks to its 
contradictory and impractical agenda." 
 
News Story: London Conference - Rushing For Exit  - "The Nation" 
(02/09) 
 
"Those with interest in the military history would know that 
withdrawal in face of mounting enemy pressure is one of the most 
difficult operations to execute. The luxury to pack up and 'run away 
to fight another day' in face of a determined enemy who would like 
to drive home the advantage of his superiority is simply not 
available. Every situation has its own peculiarities but invariably 
it requires, of the weaker side, a well thought strategy coupled 
with grit, determination and sufficient pluck to instill the fear of 
God into an overbearing enemy before breaking contact in a clean 
manner. For U.S. and NATO that moment has arrived in Afghanistan and 
London Conference, held on 28 January, made the design manifestly 
obvious to all and sundry." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: French, Dutch Fight Over Giving LNG To Pakistan  - "The 
News" (02/09) 
 
"Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and his team is all set to thwart 
the attempt of an unscrupulous combine of oil industry heavyweights 
and some functionaries of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural 
Resources to muscle out a lower bidder for the LNG supply contract 
in favor of a multinational, which had quoted a price higher by 1.5 
to 2 per cent, a senior official told 'The News.' According to the 
details available with 'The News,' the process had come down to two 
foreign suppliers, one French and the other originally British but 
later turned Dutch, vying for the juicy multi-million dollar 
contract to supply Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Pakistan." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: Value-Addition in Gemstones Can Earn More Foreign 
Exchange - "The Statesman" (02/09) 
 
"Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani has said there existed vast potential to 
earn foreign exchange not only through promoting exploration of 
precious stones but also ensuring their value-addition. Addressing a 
ceremony of awarding diplomas to the graduates of Gemology Training 
Course in Peshawar, the Governor said 'we need to establish a Center 
of Excellence in this particular sector.... The 6-month course was 
meant for students from FATA and was arranged through the 
sponsorship of USAID." (Story not available online) 
 
News Story: Iran Starts Making Drones  - "The Nation" (02/09) 
 
"Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Monday opened two 
production lines for the manufacture of 'advanced' unmanned aircraft 
or drones, Fars news agency reported. 
The drones would be able to carry out 'surveillance, detection and 
even assaults with high precision,' the report said." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Afghan Operation, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/09) 
 
"Operation Mushtarak in Helmand is part of ISAF's new strategy for 
Afghanistan: degrade the Taliban's resistance, secure south 
Afghanistan and then negotiate from a position of strength with the 
Taliban. Will it work? The answer depends on how success is 
measured. Start with the 'clear' stage of the counter-insurgency 
doctrine. It seems unlikely that the Taliban will take on the might 
of ISAF head-on: they may prefer to melt away instead.... Operation 
Mushtarak is not doomed to failure, but the question marks hanging 
over it are very large." 
 
Editorial: Helmand Offensive, an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/09) 
 
"As thousands of U.S. Marines leading a NATO and Afghan offensive on 
Marjah in Helmand province prepare their assault, the 2,000 or so 
Taliban fighters in the region seem to be digging in for what 
promises to be a very bloody battle. Marjah is considered the centre 
of the area controlled by the Taliban.... Considering that reports 
speak of this being the biggest military attack mounted by the U.S. 
since the Vietnam war, and the most extensive air bombardment 
planned since the Gulf war, not to mention being the first practical 
manifestation of President Obama's new strategy of surge and then 
talk, it is not unreasonable to surmise that if the Taliban mean 
what they are saying, that they intend to fight a fixed positional 
battle, they are likely to be overwhelmed by their adversaries' 
vastly superior firepower. That could mean that the Taliban's 
'defiance' is merely a feint, and that when the coalition forces 
actually move in, the guerrillas could just melt away. Therefore the 
claims of the commander of the foreign forces in Afghanistan, 
General Stanley McChrystal, that the major offensive will send a 
'strong signal', clear the south of the country, and provide the 
space for a change in governance in the Taliban stronghold, may 
prove ephemeral." 
 
Editorial: Preparations For A Major Offensive On The Taliban Near 
The Pakistani Border, an editorial in the Lahore-based independent 
Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 5,000) (02/09) 
 
"Forty years after the military operation in Vietnam, American and 
NATO forces are preparing for a major offensive in southern 
Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.... Helmand and other southern 
Afghan areas are near the Pakistani border.  There is a likelihood 
that once the pressure on the [Afghan] Taliban increases; they might 
rush towards Pakistan's tribal areas for refuge. Although the 
Pakistani and U.S.  Military leaders are in contact on how to keep 
the emerging situation under control, it is important for democratic 
stability [in Pakistan] that the new U.S. operation should be 
prevented from adding to Pakistan's military and political 
difficulties.  Pakistan has set up around 1000 checkpoints along the 
Afghan border while there are only 100 checkpoints on the Afghan 
side. America and the allied forces must work on a balanced plan 
with Pakistan to protect Pakistani borders from pressure by the 
fleeing, defeated Taliban." 
 
Editorial: Statement By U.S. Secretary Of State: A Matter Of 
Concern, an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu 
daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/09) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has said that it is 
frightening for the American public to imagine that Al Qaeda 
terrorists might get the weapons of mass destruction. She said that 
Al Qaeda is active in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 
In fact, Clinton's statement is a toxic for the rulers of these 
countries. We think that it is high time for the Muslim governments 
to review their pro-U.S. policies." 
 
Opinion: The Afghanistan Conferences, an op-ed by Arif Ayub in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(02/09) 
 
"In the past few weeks there have been a plethora of conferences on 
Afghanistan starting with Islamabad, Dubai, Istanbul and finally 
London. This flurry of activity was basically aimed at providing 
international support for the new U.S. policy on Afghanistan.... 
Another major focus of the London conference was the $500 million 
fund for buying out low-level Taliban fighters as part of the 
reintegration strategy. The problem in Afghanistan however is that 
while the Afghans are not averse to accepting money from anyone the 
results are always temporary and last as long as the money lasts. 
Moreover, money is not always the decisive factor and the 
limitations of this policy have been shown in the ineffectiveness of 
the large rewards for Osama and Umar.... While the conferences have 
put in place a good change in policy it would be a difficult task to 
reconcile the position still being maintained by the Taliban calling 
for a complete withdrawal of troops and the U.S. demand that the 
Taliban stop their attacks." 
 
Opinion: New Buzzwords: Reintegration And Reconciliation: Good 
Taliban/Bad Taliban Is Now Kosher! - an op-ed by Wajid Naeemuddin in 
the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (02/09) 
 
"This is not to suggest that the U.S. is the weaker party. With a 3 
million strong army (including reserves) and a horrendous nuclear 
arsenal (which continues to grow) and a delivery system with global 
reach, it could, in theory, use its lethal cargo to wipe out life 
from the face of the earth. Its weakness lies in the fact that its 
frequent political blunders keep landing it into one super-sized 
problem after another across the globe.... Unless America revises 
it's lop-sided, hurtful and unjust policy towards Muslims - a policy 
working in tandem with Israel's long term expansionist plans - the 
hatred Muslims feel towards it would fuel a -Qaeda like thinking and 
actions on a wide scale. America's failure not to see this cause and 
effect phenomenon has led it into a blind alley from which it will 
find no 'honorable' exit.... If eventually the 'reintegration' 
proposal fails, as is more than probable, the U.S. civil strife 
Pakistan would have a better chance to let U.S. off the hook if it 
is allowed to play a role in talking to the Taliban whom it knows 
and understands better than any other country or political entity in 
the world." 
 
Opinion: Behind Kayani's Training Offer To Afghans, an op-ed by 
Rahimullah Yusufzai in the populist, often sensational national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/09) 
 
"Chief of the Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has offered to train 
the Afghan army and police. In diplomatic circles, particularly 
Western, the move was described as bold and daring. However, doubts 
were raised about its practicability in view of the past bitterness 
in bilateral relations.... One major concern for the Afghans is that 
the ISI would recruit Afghan army officers if they are sent for 
training to Pakistan, which would then use them for its strategic 
goals in Afghanistan. It isn't clear if the Afghans have the same 
worry regarding Indian intelligence agencies, including RAW, 
recruiting their army and police officers during training in India. 
Pakistan would certainly be conscious of the Indian possibility and 
one important reason for its offer to train the Afghan army and 
police is to prevent this." 
 
Editorial: Prospects Of Talks With India, an editorial in the 
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (02/09) 
 
"If the bilateral talks, hinted at by Chidambram, have to proceed 
beyond a mere photo-op, there is a need to agree on an agenda aimed 
at addressing the real issues that have kept the pot boiling in 
South Asia. To begin with, New Delhi needs to de-link the issue of 
militancy from bilateral talks, as was agreed by the prime ministers 
of the two countries at Sharm el-Sheikh. India later reneged on the 
commitment.... Peace in South Asia will benefit all, most of all 
India, which is keen to reach Central Asian markets through 
Pakistan. There is all the more reason for it to agree to resolve 
the outstanding disputes with Pakistan by resuming composite 
dialogue." 
 
Editorial: India Should Understand The Ground Reality, an editorial 
in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" 
(cir. 50,000)(02/09) 
 
"Realizing the ground reality, India must come to the negotiating 
table. It must understand that adopting any other path would only 
take the region towards destruction, and thereby be to the 
terrorists' advantage." 
 
Editorial: Does the government want to put the Kashmir and water 
issues on the back burner?, an editorial in the second-largest, 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/09) 
 
"Sudden Indian eagerness for a dialogue with us is not without 
reason.  Putting more pressure on Pakistan to eradicate alleged 
terrorism seems to be the driving force behind the dialogue offer, 
and American blessing would have been instrumental in this respect. 
The agenda of dialogue that India has hinted at has focused on 
counter-terrorism and infiltration.  It is not difficult to 
understand that India does not want to talk on Kashmir and water 
issues....  First of all we should finalize the talks agenda and if 
India does not agree to include Kashmir and water disputes in it 
then we should simply refuse to sit at the table." 
 
Opinion: Robert Gates' Threat Of War, an op-ed by General Mirza 
Aslam Beg (Retd) in the center-right national English daily "The 
Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/09) 
 
"Mr. Robert Gates, as well as the Indian military planners, while 
taking into cognizance the existing military balance between 
Pakistan and India, must also consider the new phenomenon of the 
Asymmetric War, which, during the last thirty years, has established 
the supremacy of Men and Missiles, over the most modern and 
technologically superior armed forces of the world, in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, Lebanon and Kashmir. The Asymmetric War, in essence is 
the name of the Islamic Resistance, with its hardcore resting along 
the Durand Line. It is our strength. Thus, conventional as well as 
irregular armed forces, together provide the emerging shape of the 
Fourth Generation of modern warfare, as Joseph S. Nye, the former 
Assistant Secretary of Defence U.S. and a professor of Harvard 
University, defines: 'The hybrid wars, conventional and irregular 
forces combatants and civilians become thoroughly intertwined' to 
win wars and help establish the new order. In case, war is forced on 
Pakistan, it would be a long and decisive war, where new 
geo-political realities would emerge, and establishing new frontiers 
of peace in the region." 
 
Editorial: A Peaceful Agenda, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/09) 
 
"President Ahamdinejad has announced that Iran will start producing 
20 percent enriched uranium from today at the Natanz plant.... It is 
a pity that once again there has been a barrage of criticism from 
the western capitals. This is unfortunate, as it shows their nuclear 
double standards. The statement by Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton that Iran is a 'real' threat to the U.S. would further 
ratchet up tensions. Such arrogance flies in the face of the Nobel 
Peace award given to President Obama and his so-called initiative to 
improve ties with the Muslim world. It is a crying shame that while 
Iran's nuclear program, which in the past had got a clean chit by 
the IAEA, is being seen as a threat to world peace, countries like 
Israel armed with a huge nuclear arsenal, guilty of state terrorism 
are being patronized. The U.S. must play the game by the rules. The 
Obama Administration's uncompromising stand on the nuclear issue 
would serve no useful purpose." 
 
Editorial: Iran's Nuclear Stance, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/09) 
 
"What is one to make of all this? It is plain that the six powers 
and the IAEA which are negotiating with Iran are not unanimous in 
their approach. The U.S. and Britain - though their stance has 
softened somewhat of late - are convinced that Iran has nuclear 
ambitions and should be checked by a fourth round of sanctions 
against it. There are others such as Russia and China who want to 
tread carefully. Small wonder Iran has capitalized on these 
divisions. However, it has been careful about not offering any 
technical justification to the IAEA. The inspectors have not 
expressed full satisfaction at the limited cooperation offered to 
them by Tehran either. All this makes for instability and tension 
which is not conducive to peace in the region." 
 
Editorial: KSA's Principled Position On Israel, an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (02/09) 
 
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has done well in reiterating its 
principled position on Palestinian issue and relations with Israel, 
stating that Israel's Arab neighbors want peace, but they cannot be 
expected to tolerate what amounts to theft, and certainly should not 
be pressured into rewarding Tel Aviv for the return of land that 
does not belong to it in the first place.... King Abdullah had 
proposed a widely acclaimed land for peace formula for a durable 
peace in the Middle East but unfortunately the Jewish State failed 
to respond to the initiative in a positive manner.... This is the 
only viable solution to the longstanding dispute and we hope 
President Obama and other members of the international community 
would urge Israel to respond to them in the same spirit." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson