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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000319 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 10, 2010 
 
Summary:  Coverage of Prime Minister Gilani's statement warning 
terrorists to "lay down their weapons, and adopt the right path or 
be prepared to die" dominated headlines in several newspapers.  The 
ongoing row between the GOP and the superior judiciary was another 
dominant theme in media on Wednesday morning. Newspapers highlighted 
Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry's comments that 
"provision of justice is not just courts' duty," alongside PM 
Gilani's remarks that "each state organ has to work within its 
constitutional ambit."  Reports about the death of Tehrik-e-Taliban 
Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud once again started 
circulating. Now it is claimed that the militant had succumbed to 
his injuries in Multan while being shifted to Karachi for treatment. 
 "Dawn" front-paged a report that a U.S. national security team, led 
by General Jones, is visiting Pakistan for crucial talks.  Media 
also reported that the U.S. soldiers launched a preliminary 
operation in support of a planned major attack on Helmand in 
southern Afghanistan.  "The Nation," reported a Taliban claim 
regarding development of a new bomb nicknamed "Omar" that cannot be 
detected by the Western mine sweepers.  Interior Minister Rehman 
Malik's statement "persistently denying" the presence of Blackwater 
in Pakistan, and his admission that American firm DynCorp was 
allowed in 2003 to train law enforcing agencies, received prominent 
display.  Commenting on the GOP's denial of the Blackwater presence 
in Pakistan, "The Nation," observed that the "issue is fast 
descending into a shameful farce at the level of the government," 
whereas, its sister Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt" maintained that "if 
the rulers' inner fear is stopping them from taking action against 
the Blackwater, then the general public should be allowed to take 
note of the anti-state activities." End Summary.   End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
Adopt Right Path Or Be Prepared To Die, Gilani Warns Terrorists - 
"Daily Times" (02/10) 
 
"Terrorists should lay down their weapons and adopt the right path 
or face death, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday. 
Addressing a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) parliamentary party 
meeting at the Prime Minister's House, he said the government could 
not ignore terrorism as 'it is not only the issue of our survival 
but of our coming generations.'" 
 
Provision Of Justice Not Sole Duty Of Courts: CJ  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said on Tuesday that it 
was a 'wrong notion' that administration of justice in a country 
like Pakistan was 'the sole duty of courts or the legal fraternity.' 
 'For such a wrong notion, the allied institutions have started 
feeling relaxed as a result whereof good governance is being 
compromised,' the Chief Justice said at a full-court reference held 
to bid farewell to Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan, who retired on 
Tuesday." 
 
Fresh Speculation Over Hakeemullah's Fate  - "Daily Times" (02/10) 
 
"A new frenzy of rumors about the fate of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan 
chief Hakeemullah Mehsud began emerging on Tuesday, underscoring how 
tough it can be to get intelligence on the Taliban. Hakeemullah was 
reportedly injured in a U.S. drone strike in January. The latest 
rumors featured a Taliban official, who, requesting anonymity, said 
Hakeemullah was being taken to Karachi for treatment, but died en 
route in Multan." 
 
Hakimullah Dead, Say U.S. Channels, Newspapers  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"Taliban are confirming TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud's death, US and 
diplomatic sources told 'Dawn.' The U.S. media - including prominent 
outlets like CNN, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Wall Street 
Journal - also quoted Taliban sources as saying that Hakimullah had 
died of the wounds he suffered in a Jan 14 drone attack in North 
Waziristan." 
 
U.S. Security Team Due For Crucial Talks  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"A U.S. national security team, led by Gen. James Jones, is visiting 
Pakistan for talks on the current American strategy for defeating 
militants in the Pak-Afghan region. Jones, who is President Barack 
Obama's national security adviser and a retired general, begins his 
official meetings in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
U.S. Army Closes In On Largest Taliban Stronghold - "Daily Times" 
(02/10) 
 
"U.S. Army soldiers launched a preliminary operation on Tuesday in 
support of a planned U.S.-Afghan attack on the largest 
Taliban-controlled town of Marjah in southern Afghanistan. NATO and 
Afghan officials, meanwhile, urged the Taliban holding Marjah to lay 
down their weapons and warned civilians there to 'keep your heads 
down.'" 
 
Taliban Claim To Have Developed New Bomb Called 'Omar'  - "Dawn" 
(02/10) 
 
 "The Taliban claimed on Tuesday to have developed a new bomb 
nicknamed 'Omar' after their leader and which they said was 
impossible for Western mine sweepers to detect. The biggest killer 
of Western troops in Afghanistan are home-made bombs, known as 
improvised explosive devices or IEDs, which the Taliban deploy to 
wide effect and detonate by remote control." 
 
Believe Me There's No Blackwater, Malik Tells NA  - "The News" 
(02/10) 
 
"As the opposition continued to raise the question of reports of 
presence of Blackwater in Pakistan for the second consecutive day in 
the National Assembly, Interior Minister Rehman Malik persistently 
denied the presence of Blackwater or any other U.S. agency in the 
country, offering to given in camera briefing on the issue." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
Anti-Americanism In Pakistan 'A Real Problem For Us'; Piecemeal 
Approach Against Militants Can't Work: Gates - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has indicated that militant 
groups associated with Al Qaeda were trying to destabilize Pakistan 
to gain access to the country's nuclear weapons, said Gates when 
asked if he believed Islamabad's nuclear arsenal was under 
control.... In an interview to Fox News broadcast on Monday night, 
Gates also acknowledged the strong offensive the Pakistani military 
was conducting in South Waziristan and elsewhere around the country, 
one he said was exceeding all expectations.... Gates conceded that 
anti-Americanism in Pakistan was 'a real problem for us' and it was 
'a legacy issue.'" 
 
Afghan Assault On Taliban To Test U.S. Strategy  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"A planned assault on a major Taliban stronghold in southern 
Afghanistan is the first real test of a new U.S.-led 
counter-insurgency strategy to re-establish government control and 
end the war. Operation Mushtarak is an experiment in combining the 
military objective of eradicating the Taliban with the need to 
replace their brand of harsh control with the civilian authority of 
Kabul, analysts said." 
 
Afghan Unrest Kills U.S., French Soldiers  - "The News" (02/10) 
 
"A U.S. and French soldiers were killed in attacks in southern and 
eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the alliance said. The U.S. service 
member was killed in an improvised bomb blast in southern 
Afghanistan while the French was killed when his supply convoy was 
attacked by insurgents on a road northeast of Kabul, President 
Nicolas Sarkozy's office said on Tuesday." 
 
Jundullah Planning More Attacks?  - "Daily Times" (02/10) 
 
"Al Qaeda-backed banned religious outfit Jundullah may strike again 
in the city as investigators extract clues from four militants 
detained in the Ashura blast case and fear that the faction may 
already have completed preparations for more attacks, 'Daily Times' 
learned on Tuesday." 
 
Bloodshed In Karachi: Foreign Role Not Implausible, Malik Tells NA 
- "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"The government told the National Assembly at the end of a debate on 
Karachi violence that involvement of 'foreign elements' in the 
massacres could not be ruled out, though a final report would take 
three weeks. But in the context of overall law and order situation 
in the country, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that designs of 
unspecified 'hostile elements' to destabilize Pakistan had been 
frustrated 'but the danger has not vanished.'" 
 
Terrorists From Swat, FATA Active In Karachi: Malik  - "Daily Times" 
(02/10) 
 
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik indicated on Tuesday that terrorists 
who had fled military operations in FATA and Swat are active in 
Karachi. Winding up debate on the Karachi violence in the National 
Assembly, Malik said the people of NWFP deserved special praise for 
their sacrifices and role in combating terrorism." 
 
74 Killed In Bajaur Operation  - "The News" (02/10) 
 
"Security forces claimed to have killed 74 militants and injured 54 
others and wrested the strategically important hilltops and areas 
from the insurgents during the weeklong military operation in the 
Mamond subdivision of restive Bajaur Agency." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
ISI Chief, Four Commanders Retiring This Year  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"The top brass of Pakistan Army is all set to undergo a reshaping 
process with the retirement of at least 12 three-star generals, 
including four corps commanders, during the ongoing calendar year, 
warranting promotion of major generals and the necessary reshuffle. 
Three of the lieutenant generals, including incumbent 
Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt-Gen 
Ahmad Shuja Pasha, are scheduled to retire next month. However, 
according to informed sources, Lt-Gen Pasha in all probability will 
get an extension 'in the interest of continuity.'" 
 
Pakistan, Iran To Work For Regional Stability  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"Pakistan and Iran have stressed that parliamentary relations and 
people-to-people contacts are two key factors in strengthening 
relations between the two countries. This was stated in a joint 
statement issued at the conclusion of National Assembly Speaker Dr. 
Fahmida Mirza's visit to Iran on an official invitation of her 
Iranian counterpart Dr. Ali Larejani." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
$537m UN Appeal For Areas Hit By Militancy  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"The United Nations launched here on Tuesday an appeal for $537 
million to meet immediate humanitarian needs of the vulnerable and 
affected people of militancy-hit areas of Pakistan.... UN 
Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan Martin Mogwanja said: 'We are 
expecting contributions from the international donor community, 
which will enable humanitarian organizations in Pakistan to continue 
their essential assistance in the NWFP and FATA for at least another 
six months.'" 
 
French Firm Gets Liquefied Natural Gas Contract  - "Dawn" (02/10) 
 
"The GDF Suez of France won on Tuesday a contract for the import of 
3.75 million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for up to 
20 years, but efforts continued to allow its competitor Shell to 
import an additional 2.5 million tons for the same period.... The 
decision was announced after a meeting of the Economic Coordination 
Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet presided over by Finance Minister 
Shaukat Tarin." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
World Moving Swiftly To Sanction Iran: Obama  - "Daily Times" 
(02/10) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the international 
community was moving 'fairly quickly' to impose new sanctions on 
Iran after Tehran started enriching uranium to a higher level. The 
President issued his remarks as his administration marks major 
progress in persuading Russia to overcome its traditional resistance 
to imposing new sanctions on Iran, even if it still faces opposition 
from China." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: The Denial Farce, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/10) 
"The Blackwater issue is fast descending into a shameful farce at 
the level of the government. Despite all evidence to the contrary, 
the Interior Minister and his Secretary continue to push the lie 
forward that there is no Blackwater in Pakistan.... Interior 
Minister also knows of other such U.S. security companies' 
affiliates working in Pakistan, often with Pakistani partners. So 
why all the lying, even to Parliament? Even when ex-CIA operatives 
and the Blackwater issue's investigative journalist Scahill has 
provided extensive evidence of these companies operating in Pakistan 
and Afghanistan, and NWFP officials as well as Pakistani 
investigative journalists have done their own bit of fact 
collection, Rehman Malik and his Secretary refuse to budge from 
their increasingly overt falsehoods." 
 
Editorial: "Admission and denial of Blackwater's presence in 
Pakistan" an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/10) 
 
"Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior 
Affairs, Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman said that Blackwater does 
not exist in Pakistan....  The members of the Committee, however, 
rejected Interior Ministry's stance saying, if Blackwater does not 
exist in Pakistan than who are the armed foreigners roaming around 
in the country....  The Standing Committee directed the Interior 
Ministry to make a clear statement after taking reports from the 
intellQence agencies and American Embassy.  While visiting Pakistan 
last month the U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates had admitted 
Blackwater presence in Pakistan.  Two days ago, the Frontier 
Province's Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour had pointed out the 
activities of Blackwater in the province....  Who can deny U.S. 
Defense Secretary's statement?   Conditions are such that in every 
big city people move around in vehicles with fake registration 
plates and carry unlicensed weapons....  If the rulers inner fear is 
stopping them from taking action against Blackwater then the general 
public should be allowed to take note of these anti-state 
activities." 
 
Opinion: U.S. Vested Interests, an op-ed by Nighat Leghari in the 
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/10) 
 
"Tragically enough our government itself is providing more and more 
opportunities to America to influence Pakistan's affairs more. It is 
a common view of Pakistani leaders that America is the country which 
can make or break the leaders in Pakistan. Every government 
considers America indispensable for support and even its survival. 
Pakistani government has provided the U.S. a license to do anything 
it desires. It is a truth that America is a fickle and untrustworthy 
friend. Knowing this bitter reality, Pakistan has turned a deaf ear 
to the results. Wavered statements about the presence of the 
'Blackwater' by the government are surprising for the people of 
Pakistan. After long the government confessed that the 'Blackwater' 
is a sizable force in Pakistan working for the U.S. What type of 
working is that? The concerned ministry does not want to disclose 
it." 
 
Editorial: After Hakimullah, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/10) 
 
"Following the death of Baitullah Mehsud last year, a power struggle 
within the organisation had been settled only with the intervention 
of the Afghan Taliban. It is possible that such intervention from 
across the border or from Al Qaeda may again be seen. But what is 
clear is that the Taliban are a weakened and splintered force. This 
presents its own problems. A lack of central control often makes 
extremist organizations still more dangerous and especially 
difficult to nail down.... It is important at this moment that they 
are not given the time and space to regroup." 
 
Editorial: Terrorists in Lahore, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/10) 
 
"The recent crackdown and all these pickets that we have built 
around ourselves notwithstanding, what if there are more militants 
in our midst waiting for the right moment to strike?... They seem to 
have fanned out, from Peshawar to Lahore to Karachi. The law 
enforcers repeat that they are doing their best to thwart these 
troublemakers. Maybe there will be a reminder by a top official such 
as Interior Minister Rehman Malik that we are at war and anything 
could happen. What we need more than officials stating the obvious 
is an understanding of the Taliban network. Long into the battle, do 
we have a good enough idea of the makeup of the various Taliban 
groups? This knowledge is essential not only to neutralize the 
militants in their bases, but also to keep track of splinter groups 
making their way to other parts of the country." 
 
Opinion: U.S. Man Of War, an op-ed by S.M. Hali in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/10) 
 
"During his (Robert Gates) visit to Islamabad on January 22, he 
addressed the officers of National Defence University and frankly 
admitted that the U.S. made a 'grave mistake' by cutting defence 
ties with Pakistan in the early 1990s and losing interest in the 
region after the Soviet Union left Afghanistan. Now Mr. Gates has 
paid heed to General McChrystal's recommendation to negotiate with 
the Taliban to end the fighting. Robert Gates would be advised that 
if negotiation with the Taliban is to be opted for, then there 
should be no favorites. Already UN sanctions against five Taliban 
leaders have been lifted ignoring others. Gates can rise to the 
occasion by authorizing talks with the Taliban leaders across the 
board, irrespective of who was earlier sponsored by Pakistan or 
India or Britain or the CIA. History has presented him a unique 
opportunity to be remembered as a 'Man of Peace' rather than 'Man of 
War.'" 
 
Opinion: White Man's Tyranny, an op-ed by Iftekhar A. Khan in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(02/10) 
 
"U.S. army has now planned a Fallujah-style attack in Majrah, 
Afghanistan, a centre of civilian population of about 1,80,000 
inhabitants who are one of the world's most impoverished people. The 
aim is to terrorize local population to either submit to the 
occupation forces or face imminent death. No third choice. Turning 
the population centers to rubble is meant to send a message that 
resistance is unacceptable and it will be met with death and 
destruction. This shows that the white man hasn't spent his fury 
yet; his appetite for more Muslim blood remains un-sated." 
 
Opinion: Champions Of Liberty?, an op-ed by Ali Ashraf Khan in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (02/10) 
 
"Look at Americans how they have roped in the entire world in their 
so-called War against terror, in the background of a drama staged on 
9/11 the purpose of which was nothing but to colonize oil and 
mineral resources of Islamic countries for their future survival and 
for keeping up the rest of the world under their domination.... The 
West attacked Afghanistan in November 2001 as a retaliation for the 
alleged 9/11 attacks by Muslim fundamentalist.... Nine years down 
the line Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar are still free, the Taliban 
have in an amazing fight resisted the military and technological 
overweight of the foreign troops and did not only reasserted 
themselves in their strongholds but were able to extend their 
influence over almost all of the country.... And now comes the 
surprise: With a complete failure on the military and political 
fronts in Afghanistan, what have the U.S. and NATO countries decided 
in London? They offer talks to those Taliban who will fulfill their 
conditions of putting down the weapons and disassociate themselves 
from the foreign fighters of al Qaida. We always thought that the 
winners put conditions on the losers and not the other way around! 
Why should the Taliban after having sacrificed their lives in a 
brutal war over almost nine years and with the enemy fatally tired 
and discouraged go for any such settlement?" 
 
Opinion: Afghan Stability And India, an op-ed by Dr. Huma Mir in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (02/10) 
 
"The West continues to accuse Pakistani intelligence for links to 
the Afghan Terror networks but fails to notice Indian linkages to 
terror groups wreaking havoc in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, 
the Western and U.S. keenness to include India in any regional forum 
designed to stabilize Afghanistan appears absolutely illogical to 
conventional thought process. One is forced to think if the U.S., 
British and their allies approve of Indian meddling and if 
destabilized Afghanistan and Pakistan somehow fit into their scheme 
of things! Security analyst and conspiracy theorist believe that the 
chaos and anarchic conditions engulfing Pakistan appear too 
synchronized not to be orchestrated and coordinated by outside 
forces. The plausible aim is to establish to the global community 
that unstable Pakistan is incapable of securely maintaining its 
nuclear weapon systems which could fall in the hands of extremists. 
Pakistani nuclear weapons should therefore be taken out under an 
international regime. Is this what the bloodletting in Afghanistan 
and Pakistan all about!" 
 
Opinion: The Rise Of Extremism, an op-ed by Dr. Manzur Ejaz in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (02/10) 
 
"The rise of the right wing conservative religious forces in 
Pakistan was due to a combination of factors. A changing economy, 
military adventures and backward state institutions played a main 
role in giving rise to Jihadism, etc. It was not dictator Zia or 
other military rulers who were the only players in such an 
outcome.... After the Afghan war ended, the US left in haste, 
leaving behind the mess of several hundred thousand Jihadis. The 
Pakistani establishment, intoxicated by the routing of the Soviets, 
undertook ventures to conquer Afghanistan and Kashmir, and 
destabilize India. The mullah-military nexus was further 
strengthened, playing havoc with all other institutions of the 
state. The rapidly changing political economy of Pakistan through 
the electronic media and other technologies was unsettling the 
institutions as well. This was the worst combination of factors that 
created anarchy and lawlessness in the country. This phase has been 
prevalent till very recently, despite the U.S. intervention after 
9/11. However, the situation has been changing for the last few 
years with some institutions of the state getting stronger and the 
mullah-military alliance teetering. Emerging trends need a lengthy 
discussion which is beyond the scope of this column." 
 
Opinion: Revenge Attacks, an op-ed by Air Marshal Ayaz A. Khan (R) 
in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" 
(cir. 5,000) (02/10) 
 
"Revenge attacks is the terminology used by U.S. defense analysts 
when talking about the escalation of drone attacks on militant 
targets in North Waziristan. The spate of daily Predator strikes on 
suspected militant hideouts is clearly motivated to avenge the 
suicide bombing on CIA base in Khost on December 30, which killed 
seven senior CIA agents including the base commander.... After the 
drone related death of Baitullah Mehsud the Taliban went on rampage 
and massacred about one thousand innocent Pakistani men women and 
children in revenge suicide bombings.... Pakistani protests 
regarding violations of territory, airspace and sovereignty are 
being ignored with contempt. But the world community needs to take 
notice of the revenge factor which is more than clear.... In the 
collateral damage hundreds of innocent people could have died. The 
atrocious cycle of violence and revenge must end.... With the 
Taliban hopefully declaring ceasefire in Pakistan, Americans must 
stop drone bombings of Pakistani territory and violation of its 
airspace. A different policy towards Washington would be needed if 
drone bombing is not stopped." 
 
Opinion: Some Critical Questions, an op-ed by Yousuf Nazar in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (02/10) 
 
"There is no doubt that fundamentalism and terrorism are a serious 
threat to our country, but the views about 9/11 and the United 
States 'being the only country that can help' need to be analyzed 
with cold logic and in the context of some critical questions about 
9/11 that were raised by serious Americans who did not make the 
movie Loose Change.... The U.S. government and its intelligence 
agencies have major credibility issues. Their record, unfortunately, 
includes lies, deliberate disinformation and doctored intelligence - 
all designed to promote and implement hidden agendas like conquest 
of the oil fields in Iraq behind the smokescreen of the weapons of 
mass destruction that never existed." 
 
Opinion: No Need To Dialogue In Haste, an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari 
in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 
20,000) (02/10) 
 
"The fact is that backdoor diplomacy in the context of Pakistan and 
India is a negative factor because of the trust deficit between the 
two countries; and the trust deficit between the rulers and ruled 
within Pakistan itself. Too many agreements and deals have been made 
without either establishing a consensus, even when there is a 
democratic set up, or even informing the people of what has been 
handed over to an external power in terms of access and sovereignty. 
No wonder the U.S. has once again come up with support for 
backchannel diplomacy between Pakistan and India! This way, secret 
deals can be cut with the U.S. involved while the people of Pakistan 
get short changed again.... Let us not waste time on back channel 
diplomacy which has no credibility in the Pakistan-India context 
historically and now with the U.S. as its main backer! Finally, 
unless the government is clear on its agenda and red lines, and 
policy makers well informed, there is no need to commence a dialogue 
in haste. The Indians are prepared and we must also prepare 
ourselves for a long haul. We waited endlessly with constant offers 
for the renewal of dialogue; now it has become a necessity for 
India. Let it wait for a while too." 
 
Opinion: The Indians Are Coming!, an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (02/10) 
 
"Pakistan and India must address their mutual concerns devoid of 
anger or malice, lest the next hiatus in relations, when it comes, 
does not last longer and end in disaster. This is not an idle 
caution, nor a needless one. The degree of animus some of the 
participants bring to the table is inexcusable. The timing of the 
Indian initiative has understandably aroused speculation; it even 
surprised Indian diplomats. Prime Minister Gilani ascribed it to 
'international pressure.' India, on the other hand, claims that it 
is 'a calculated initiative to unlock the dialogue process.' Chances 
are that it is both. Indeed, there may well be a third factor, a 
'calculated' and perhaps conjoined Indo-U.S. initiative, not so much 
to 'unlock the dialogue process' as to help America enlist 
Pakistan's grudging support for the forthcoming 'surge.' And, if 
none of the above, then at the very least it serves as an 
encouraging curtain-raiser for the intensified fighting that is 
expected to commence momentarily in Afghanistan as the American 
'surge' gets underway, for which Pakistan's cooperation is 
indispensable. Viewed thus, the decision to resume talks with 
Pakistan was not so much a belated admission by India of a policy 
that had failed but rather an astute maneuver to augment American 
pressure on Pakistan prior to the surge." 
 
Opinion: Our Image Abroad, an op-ed by Tayyab Siddiqui in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (02/10) 
 
"The prime concerns of the international community today are 
terrorism and nuclear proliferation in the global context. Our 
record, both in respect of terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation, 
is known to all. Pakistan's role in the war against terror as a 
front-line state has been gravely sullied with reports of Amnesty 
International saying that terrorist suspects were held in Pakistani 
investigation centers and handed over to U.S. agents without any 
legal process for a bounty of $5,000 each. Musharraf in his 
autobiography has confirmed that millions of dollars were paid by 
the U.S. for 369 alleged terrorists handed over to the U.S. 
authorities. This should give us a reason for reflection. If we are 
sincere in projecting the soft image of our country, our 
representatives abroad must have the wherewithal in terms of 
domestic politics and policies." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson