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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 12, 2010 
 
Summary:  Coverage of two powerful bomb explosions in Bannu (NWFP) 
that killed 15 people including nine policemen dominated front-pages 
on Friday morning.  National Security Adviser Jones's Pakistan visit 
garnered extensive coverage, his meeting with President Zardari, PM 
Gilani, and other senior officials, and trip to Swat valley were 
highlighted in nearly all newspapers and TV networks.  Media quoted 
President Zardari as urging U.S. to "focus on stabilizing democracy 
and economic development in Pakistan," and conveying "concerns" over 
enhanced screening measures at U.S. airports.  Pakistan's premier 
business daily, "Business Recorder," published a by-liner article by 
Deputy Secretary Treasury Wolin, titled, "Realizing Pakistan's 
economic potential".  Dr. Aafia's issue remained a burning question 
in media, and papers reported the GOP's assurance that it would put 
up a "good defense" for Dr. Aafia at the next stage of her trial by 
a U.S. court, and her sister, Fauzia announced to "stage a sit-in 
protest in front of the U.S. Consulate in Lahore on February 16." 
"Daily Times," quoted a senior U.S. defense official (on condition 
of anonymity) as claiming that the U.S. military is planning to set 
up new training centers in Pakistan.  "Nation" reported that the VOA 
is still broadcasting its one-hour Urdu service from its original 
station in the U.S. though "without proper editing."  "Business 
Recorder," reported the "captivating performance" of the American 
Voices that is visiting Pakistan these days under the auspices of 
U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.  Vice President Biden's statement about 
Pakistan, made in an interview with CNN, that "it is not a 
completely functional democracy," was also prominently displayed. 
Commenting on the subject, "The News," reminded Mr. Biden that "it 
was your own government that propped up the military dictatorship 
which preceded our current flawed democracy for the duration of its 
rule, almost a decade, and that democracy is not something you turn 
on like a light bulb." Editorializing the militant attacks in Khyber 
Agency, "Daily Times," observed that "their purpose is to spread the 
front as far and wide as possible in order to create gaps and holes 
in the security cordon. This is what asymmetrical warfare is all 
about."  End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: 15 Killed - DPO Critically Injured: Twin Bombings 
Devastate Bannu Police  - "Dawn" (02/12) 
 
"Fifteen people, seven policemen among them, were killed and 25 
others wounded in Bannu on Thursday evening when two suspected 
suicide bombs ripped through Police Lines. District Police Officer 
Iqbal Marwat received serious injuries in the second attack and was 
stated to be in critical condition. Official sources said that even 
as the bodies and the wounded were being evacuated from the scene, 
the second bomber blew himself up, causing more casualties." 
 
News Story: U.S. Urged To Focus On Stabilizing Democracy, Economy 
- "Dawn" (02/12) 
 
"The government urged the United States on Thursday to focus its 
help on stabilizing democracy and economic development in Pakistan. 
The government's point of view on sectors the U.S. assistance should 
concentrate was conveyed to National Security Adviser James Jones 
during a meeting with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf 
Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister 
Shaukat Tarin, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and 
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.... Also on Pakistan's wish-list was 
expediting disbursement of $2 billion in deferred payments of the 
Coalition Support Fund and pushing the Friends of Democratic 
Pakistan forum to fulfill their pledges.... Jones welcomed 
Pakistan's decision to accept India's invitation for talks. He 
expressed the hope that lowered tensions with India would help the 
country focus on anti-extremism and counter-insurgency efforts on 
the western borders." 
 
News Story: Zardari Calls For Transfer Of Drone Technology To 
Pakistan - "Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday called for the transfer of 
drone technology to Pakistan for use by its own security forces 
against the Taliban for 'wider public acceptability.' The president 
said the U.S. drone attacks on Pakistani territory undermined 
national consensus on the war against terrorism. Zardari expressed 
these views during a meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser 
General James Jones.... According to a press release, the president 
said Pakistan welcomed U.S. declarations of support for Pakistan's 
security and economic development, and emphasized that continued 
support must be based on mutual respect and trust." 
 
News Story: U.S. National Security Adviser Visits Swat  - "Daily 
Times" (02/12) 
 
"U.S. National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen James Jones and his 
delegation visited Swat on Thursday, residents said. Jones is the 
first top American official to visit the region since three US 
military trainers were killed in a vehicle-borne suicide attack in 
Lower Dir district on February 3, Mingora residents told 'Daily 
Times.'" 
 
News Story: Government Writ Restored In Troubled Areas, Owais Tells 
U.S. Team  - "The News" (02/12) 
 
"NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani in Peshawar on Thursday briefed a 
U.S. delegation about the measures taken so far to curb terrorism 
and militancy and the security situation in the region. 'We have 
successfully restored the writ of the government in the affected 
areas, both in the Frontier province and the FATA, and now our focus 
is on consolidation of the system of governance and well-being of 
people," the governor told the U.S. team, which was led by National 
Security Adviser, General James Jones, that called on the governor, 
said an official handout." 
 
Opinion: Realizing Pakistan's Economic Potential, an op-ed by Neal 
¶S. Wolin, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Treasury in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (02/12) 
 
"Fifteen months ago, Pakistan stood on the brink of a financial 
crisis. During a time of unprecedented turmoil in financial global 
markets, Pakistan's unsustainable fiscal policies, made worse by the 
world-wide spike in food and fuel prices, produced a dangerous set 
of consequences: accelerating inflation, a collapse in the rupee, 
and a profound downturn in the Pakistani economy.... Pakistan's 
economic situation has stabilized, but during the current period, 
Pakistan must build the foundation for an economy that is not merely 
stable, but prosperous; an economy that provides the security, 
educational opportunities, health care and modern infrastructure.... 
In addition to the substantial resources the U.S. has contributed 
directly and through the IMF and World Bank, we have also committed 
our best resource - our people. Complementing the work of U.S. 
professionals already providing development assistance in Pakistan, 
the U.S. Treasury Department advisors will soon begin providing 
technical assistance to the Ministry of Finance and the Central 
Bank. Through these professionals, we hope to help Pakistan develop 
the tools to become financially independent by strengthening revenue 
collection, debt management, and capital markets - and by increasing 
the transparency of the financial system. In my meetings with senior 
officials in Islamabad today, the economic challenges facing 
Pakistan will be at the core of the agenda." 
 
News Story: Government Vows Good Defence For Aafia Siddiqui  - 
"Dawn" (02/12) 
 
"The government assured the National Assembly on Thursday it would 
put up a 'good defence' for Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui 
even at the next stage of her trial by a U.S. court where a jury 
last week found her guilty of attempting to murder American soldiers 
in Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: Dr. Aafia's Sister To Stage Sit-In Protest At U.S. 
Consulate On 16th  - "Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, will lead a 
students' rally and stage a sit-in protest in front of the U.S. 
Consulate on February 16 (Tuesday), as part of her countrywide 
campaign for her sister's release." 
 
News Story: U.S. Military Planning To Set Up New Training Centers In 
Pakistan - "Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"The U.S. military is planning to set up new training centers inside 
Pakistan where American special operations trainers would work with 
Pakistani forces close to the Afghan border battle zone, a senior 
defence official said. The new centers would supplement two already 
operating in Pakistan, and they would be used to accelerate and 
expand the training of Pakistani forces considered key to rooting 
out Al Qaeda leaders hiding along the mountainous border, the 
official said." 
 
News Story: VOA Continues Using PBC Equipment For Urdu Service  - 
"The Nation" (02/12) 
 
"While the Radio Pakistan management has blocked VOA Pushto-language 
service, after reportedly receiving threats against airing American 
propaganda, the VOA is still broadcasting its one-hour Urdu service 
from its original station in the U.S. though without proper editing, 
well-placed PBC sources told 'The Nation.' 
 
News Story: U.S. Consulate General Brings Broadway to Lahore  - 
"Business Recorder" (02/12) 
 
"In a captivating performance on February 9, U.S. performing arts 
group, American Voices, joined Pakistani students and artists to 
transform the Ali Auditorium in Lahore into a Broadway theatre. 
According to U.S. Embassy Spokesman, show capped four days of 
theatre workshops and rehearsals conducted by the visiting U.S. 
artists during a week-long visit to the city." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Is My Biggest Worry: Biden  - "Daily Times" 
(02/12) 
 
"U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that his greatest 
concern was not Afghanistan, not Iraq, nor the Iranian nuclear 
crisis, but Pakistan. 'I think it's a big country. It has nuclear 
weapons that are able to be deployed. It has a real significant 
minority of radicalized population,' said Biden said in an interview 
with CNN. 'It is not a completely functional democracy in the sense 
we think about it, and so that's my greatest concern.'" 
 
Editorial: Change The Record, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/12) 
 
 
"U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden has been busy waving stereotypes 
around again. Pakistan has once again been on parade as the most 
dangerous country in the world. We have nuclear weapons. We are not 
'a completely functional democracy' (at least he is right about 
that) and we have 'a real significant minority of radicalized 
population.'... Turning to the issue of democracy and its poor 
functionality - well yes, true. But don't forget Mr. Biden that it 
was your own government that propped up the military dictatorship 
which preceded our current flawed democracy for the duration of its 
rule, almost a decade, and that democracy is not something you turn 
on like a light bulb." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: 5 Americans Wounded In Attack At U.S. Base  - "Business 
Recorder" (02/12) 
 
"A suicide bomber wearing an Afghan border policeman's uniform blew 
himself up Thursday at a U.S. base near the Pakistani frontier, 
wounding five Americans, an Afghan official said." 
 
News Story: Taliban Vow Guerrilla Warfare Against Afghan, NATO 
Troops  - "Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"The Taliban vowed on Thursday to fight back with a 'hit and run' 
guerrilla campaign against Western and Afghan forces preparing to 
storm one of their key strongholds in southern Afghanistan. 
Thousands of U.S. Marines and NATO and Afghan soldiers have massed 
around the town of Marjah, a Taliban bastion in Helmand province, 
poised to launch one of the biggest operations against the 
insurgents since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion." 
 
News Story: Can't Guard Every NATO Tanker, Says Balochistan IG  - 
"Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"Balochistan Inspector General of Police Javed Ali Shah Bukhari said 
on Thursday that the police did not have the capacity to guard every 
NATO tanker passing through the province to the neighboring 
Afghanistan. Talking to a private TV channel, he said the reports 
regarding the presence of the Afghan Taliban Shura in Quetta were 
baseless and far from reality." 
 
News Story: Afghans Fear Taliban Booby Traps As NATO Assault Nears 
- "Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"Some Afghans were too afraid to leave their homes on Thursday for 
fear of bombs planted by the Taliban ahead of a US-led NATO 
offensive on their last big stronghold in the country's most violent 
province. Some 500 people from the town of Marjah, which is expected 
to be the focus of the assault, and the Nad Ali district gathered in 
the Helmand provincial capital to discuss the impending operation 
with elders." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: PAF To Get 14 F-16s by June: Rao - "The Nation" (02/12) 
 
"Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman Thursday 
said that Pakistan will take delivery of 14 F-16 jet fighters from 
America by June this year. Briefing the visiting Senate's Standing 
Committee on Defence and Defence production about operational 
preparedness and air defence system, PAF chief said that more new 
jet fighters and missiles would be inducted in the fleet. The Air 
Chief also informed the Standing Committee about skills of PAF in 
recent war against terrorism in Swat and Malakand." 
 
News Story: India Doesn't Want To Talk On Kashmir  - "Daily Times" 
(02/12) 
 
"While composite dialogue is the only way forward for the resolution 
of all outstanding issues and India has offered Pakistan talks, New 
Delhi 'does not want to talk on Kashmir, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza 
Gilani said on Thursday, the AFP news agency quoted Gilani as saying 
on Thursday." 
 
News Story: Engagement To Help Resume Composite Dialogue: FO  - "The 
News" (02/12) 
 
"Pakistan on Thursday said the process of engagement with India 
would lead to the resumption of composite dialogue to resolve all 
outstanding issues. Addressing a weekly briefing, Foreign Office 
spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had yet to respond to India's 
suggestion of the proposed Foreign Secretary level talks.... He said 
dialogue was the only way forward and hoped that engagement with 
India would be result-oriented to resolve all outstanding disputes 
between the two countries." 
 
News Story: Pakistan's Anti-Terror Moves Led To Resumption In Talks: 
Antony  - "Daily Times" (02/12) 
 
"Pakistan has taken necessary action against terrorists, which is a 
positive development, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on 
Thursday. The Minister was talking to the media on the sidelines of 
an Asian Security Conference (ASC) organized by the Institute of 
Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA). Even though we are not fully 
satisfied, but resumption of dialogue is in the interest of both the 
countries." 
 
News Story: Secretary-Level Talks Raise Hopes Of Thaw In Pak-India 
Relations - "Dawn" (02/12) 
 
"Sanity has finally prevailed and one can safely say that the 
foreign secretary-level talks in the last week of February is the 
first serious effort since the dastardly incident of Mumbai, raising 
hopes of a thaw in relations between the two South Asian 
nuclear-armed neighbors. The talks, which have been encouraged if 
not midwifed by Washington, certainly raise the prospect of ending 
the prolonged diplomatic standoff between the two countries. But 
there is still a long way to go before one could expect a 
breakthrough on important issues confronting the two countries. 
Analysts said the immediate challenge is to agree on a structured 
framework for discussions." 
 
News Story: Govt. Has No Option But To Implement Court Verdict: SC 
- "The News" (02/12) 
 
"A three-member bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that 
the government has no option except implementing the court order in 
letter and spirit. The bench, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, said 
that it would decide the missing persons' case within two weeks and 
would order action against people held responsible in the case. 
Justice Javed Iqbal observed the independence of judiciary is linked 
with the Constitution and law. He ruled out the impression that the 
apex court can't enforce its decisions. He said an impression is 
being created in the media that the judiciary is interfering in the 
administrative matters while the fact is that we have to realize the 
institutions to render their responsibilities." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: Technical Assistance To CCP: U.S. FTC Team Due In March 
To Explore Possibility - "Business Recorder" (02/12) 
 
"An assessment team of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United 
States would visit Pakistan to explore possibility of providing 
technical assistance to the Competition Commission of Pakistan 
(CCP). In this regard, CCP Chairman Khalid Mirza has visited the US 
FTC to share Pakistan's experience with its US counterpart and 
gathered extensive know how on policy planning initiatives and other 
matters related to promoting competition. The US FTC assistance 
would strengthen the Pakistani agency for protection of consumers 
for carrying out studies on scientific methods for moving against 
cartels. Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: Iraq Expels 250 Former Blackwater Guards - "Dawn" 
(02/12) 
 
"The Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Bolani said on Thursday he had 
expelled 250 ex-employees of the American security firm Blackwater, 
whose guards were charged with killing unarmed civilians in 
Baghdad." 
 
News Story: Iran Now A Nuclear State: Ahmadinejad  - "The News" 
(02/12) 
 
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted Iran was now a nuclear nation 
on Thursday as he marked the 1979 Islamic revolution, prompting the 
West to warn his regime would soon be slapped with new sanctions. 
'One day they said we cannot enrich uranium, but with the resistance 
of our leader, nation and with the help of God, the Iranian nation 
has become nuclear,' Ahmadinejad said. 'They (Americans) want to 
dominate our region but the Iranian people will never let them do 
that,' he said in a speech at Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square before 
a crowd of hundreds of thousands." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Roots of Anti-Americanism in Pakistan, an editorial in 
the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (02/12) 
 
"The U.S. continues to act as a master rather than a friend, 
something resented by many enlightened nationalists in Pakistan, who 
otherwise strongly oppose extremism and militancy. What is needed by 
the Obama administration to improve U.S. image is to fully support 
democracy, respect Pakistan's sovereignty and make only those 
promises, which the U.S. can really fulfill, irrespective of who 
controls Washington. Only time will show if the U.S. is capable of 
keeping the promise made by Robert Gates, of having a long-term 
approach to Pakistan that reassures Pakistanis that 'we are a 
long-time, reliable ally for Pakistan; we're going to be there with 
them and for them, going into the future. And it's in every aspect, 
politically, economically, and so on.'" 
 
Editorial: Khyber Attacks, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/12) 
 
"Three consecutive incidents in which the security forces sustained 
casualties along with civilians in two different areas of the Khyber 
Agency in a single day, suggest that the militants may be weakened, 
but they are far from down and out.... Tirah Valley in the Khyber 
Agency has long been used as a launch pad by terrorist as well as 
criminal elements.... While one would like the military to adopt 
better tactics, these attacks should not be seen as an anomaly or 
entirely unexpected. Their purpose is to spread the front as far and 
wide as possible in order to create gaps and holes in the security 
cordon. This is what asymmetrical warfare is all about." 
 
Editorial: Shifting Theatre, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/12) 
 
 
"The theatre of war seems to have shifted for the moment to Khyber 
Agency, where there has been a flurry of action.... The Taliban 
continue to add to their ranks by roping in more and more groups 
across the country. It is thought that factions of the 
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other forces from Punjab already work with 
them. The result of course is that the Taliban have a greater 
capacity than would be expected to carry out new attacks. The 
opening up of new fronts of course also puts more pressure on the 
army." 
 
Editorial: Another Attack, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/12) 
 
"About 15 security personnel, including a brigadier and a pilot, and 
seven civilians lost their lives in a gun attack, a suicide bombing 
and a helicopter crash.... The question arises: how was the suicide 
bomber able to travel on the roads and ambushed an army rescue party 
searching for bodies? In fact, why were the agencies not able to 
gain prior intelligence of this suicide bombing and arrest the 
perpetrator at the initial stage where the attack was planned? It 
seems our security didn't even have any prior warning. It is evident 
that there has been a serious lapse of intelligence and this raises 
the question: did the terrorists have inside help?" 
 
Opinion: U.S. Trainers For Pakistan Armed Forces: An Issue Of 
Serious Concern, an op-ed by Dr. Inayatullah Faizi in the 
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (02/12) 
 
"The killing of three U.S. soldiers in the Lower Dir suicide bombing 
last week has exposed, for the time, the presence of American 
military personnel in Pakistan, which has become a matter of much 
concern among the masses. Nobody knows for how long these soldiers 
were present in the area and what were their number and real 
objectives. The insufficient explanation by the ISPR regarding the 
presence of U.S. military personnel itself has given rise to many 
suspicions. Do our armed forces need training assistance from their 
worst enemy. In fact, all of our governments, including the 
incumbent one, depend upon financial largesse from Washington and 
this money is not without shameful strings attached to it. The 
deployment of U.S. military personnel in Pakistan is also part of 
those conditions. Unless and until, our ruling class change its 
priorities, Pakistan cannot gain respect and prestige in the comity 
of nations." 
 
Opinion: A New Understanding for U.S. & Pakistan, an op-ed by Imtiaz 
Gul in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 
5,000) (02/12) 
 
"Several Pakistani Generals, including Kayani, believe the praise by 
Mullen and the subsequent request by Obama for additional 
counterinsurgency funding reflects a new understanding among the 
coalition, of Pakistani concerns and constraints. The language and 
vocabulary emanating from Washington and London toward Islamabad has 
changed in recent months, a prerequisite for creating greater trust 
among the coalition partners, according to Pakistan Generals. Let us 
see it the changed vocabulary can work in the coming months." 
 
Opinion: The U.S. Presence in Afghanistan, an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly 
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" 
(cir. 10,000) (02/12) 
 
"The reason why we feel reassured by the presence of big brother 
U.S. around the corner in Afghanistan is the fear that the Taliban 
may actually prevail if succor in the form of someone with an open 
cheque book and appropriate weaponry was not available to compensate 
for the destabilization caused to society and the economy... The 
American presence in Afghanistan is of little positive value to the 
battle that we are waging against extremism, indeed to the contrary. 
Besides, of what use is an army, be it the strongest in the world, 
when confronted by the invasion of an idea?" 
 
Opinion: Vienna Convention And Sovereign Equality, an op-ed by 
Mohammad Jamil in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily 
"Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/12) 
 
"The U.S. has lodged a strong protest with the government of 
Pakistan on the arrest of some U.S. embassy employees and impounding 
of their vehicles in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, negating the 
Vienna Convention.... One should ask the Americans whether 
Pakistan's top diplomats and other employees stationed in Washington 
are allowed take such 'liberties' as the American diplomats and 
their staffers are indulging in so freely." 
 
Opinion: The Verdict, an op-ed by M.A. Niazi in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/12) 
 
"The verdict in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui showed to all and 
sundry the flawed nature of the American justice system, 
particularly the much-vaunted trial by jury, which is supposedly 
incorruptible and leads to the rule of law. The American justice 
system is supposed to be one of the things for which the War on 
Terror is being fought, but the trial itself shows it as defective, 
as allowing the fate of a human being to be placed in the hands of a 
jury of his or her peers, a jury which may well be influenced by 
reasons of state.... Dr. Aafia and her fate represent why Pakistanis 
are less than enthusiastic about supporting the U.S. in its War on 
Terror. This also explains why the Americans are determined to 
punish her. She symbolizes the might of the USA, and its 
relentlessness in punishing all its enemies, even if they are in the 
form of frail mothers of three. And it shows that it will not only 
punish women but also children it has decided to make an example of. 
Dr. Aafia is being tortured, and her kids have disappeared, so that 
Americans may escape the effects of terror." 
 
Opinion: Pakistani Taliban Apologists, an op-ed by Gulmina Bilal 
Ahmad in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily 
Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/12) 
 
"The Pakistani Taliban, specifically the TTP, are individuals with a 
narrow understanding and interpretation of religion as well as 
limited world view. They openly declare that their ideology is to 
enforce their brand of Islam in Pakistan and declare that their 
objectives are to 'struggle against the Pakistani Army and NATO 
forces in Afghanistan.'... It is baffling to note how anyone can 
support and justify the TTP while at the same time proclaim to be 
champions of democracy, rule of law, equality before the law and 
most of all justice. Or do they mean justice TTP-style?... The 
dictionary defines confusion as a 'state where one is unable to 
place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal 
identity.' This is perhaps the best way to describe the Pakistani 
Taliban apologists who tragically are present in the country's 
political, social, media and academic arena. Until this segment of 
society is tackled, efforts for peace will remain half-baked." 
 
Opinion: Coming Full Circle, an op-ed by Cyril Almeida in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (02/12) 
 
"Until the public was convinced that the TTP was the enemy and had 
to be defeated, there was never the possibility of military success: 
locally, the population could have shielded the militants; 
nationally, the public could have pressured the government to halt 
the fighting. Look, though, at the history of the country over the 
last 30 years and ask yourself this: who has sided with the 
Islamists and militants the most? Would not generals Zia and 
Musharraf top that list? (Don't scoff at the Musharraf claim: after 
all, the Islamist parties controlled two provinces and had their 
largest share in parliament in history on his watch.) So it's all 
well and good for the generals to claim that 'public support' to 
fight the militants wasn't always there - but then they should also 
be honest and explain the army's role in eliminating the possibility 
of that support existing earlier. Yes, the reality is that the 
Pakistan Army will need to be at the forefront of the effort to 
defeat militancy in this country. But don't confuse needing them 
with believing them. They may have earned our gratitude for fighting 
recently; trust, though, is a separate matter altogether." 
 
Editorial: U.S. Abuse Exposed, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/12) 
 
"The protection an independent judiciary offers to citizens in any 
democratic country were highlighted again in the case of Britain 
where London's Court of Appeals forced the government to disclose 
information relating to the case of former Guantanamo Bay detainee 
Binyam Mohammad - an Ethiopian national who was a British 
resident.... The British government had maintained that revelations 
of CIA renditions and torture would destroy intelligence cooperation 
with the U.S., but justice prevailed and the British court ruled 
that all the details should be revealed as there was 'an 
overwhelming public interest.'" 
 
Editorial: Government And Military Leaderships Willingness For 
Unconditional Dialogue With India, an editorial in the 
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) 
(02/12) 
 
"Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani admitted in a public speech the 
other day in Islamabad that India is not willing to have Kashmir in 
the agenda of Pak-India talks....  Even Indian Water Commissioner 
had to admit that during his recent visit that Pakistan is getting 
less than its share of water....  With this backdrop what forced our 
government and military leaderships to agree on unconditional talks 
with India when it is not willing to talk about our jugular vein 
Kashmir....  India's war designs are not hidden from any one as it 
goes on testing long range Agni missiles....  India hurls threats 
and is bent upon committing aggression against us while American 
Defense Minister tells us that India will lose its patience if a 
Mumbai like incident reoccurred....  In these circumstances it is 
better to reject Indian offer for dialogue unless it includes core 
issues of Kashmir and water on the agenda." 
 
Editorial: Pakistan-India Talks, an editorial in the center-right 
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (02/12) 
 
"Pakistan has decided to accept the Indian offer for secretary level 
talks while declaring that the talks will be held on Kashmir and 
water issues as without these issues the dialogue will be 
meaningless....  Indian hostility on Kashmir in contravention of the 
UN resolution on Kashmir and hurling accusations on Pakistan is the 
biggest hurdle to peace in the region." 
 
Editorial: Talks with India: government and military leadership's 
joint strategy, an editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" (cir. 25, 000) (02/12) 
 
"A joint military and government strategy on talks with India has 
been decided upon in a meeting chaired by President Zardari. It has 
been decided that talks would not be conditional and that Kashmir 
and water issues would be part of the agenda.... The government and 
military are right in deciding that talks should not just be on 
terrorism but other issues as well.... It can be said with certainty 
that Pakistan has always abided by the Indus Waters Treaty and India 
should not have an issue on including Kashmir and water issues in 
the agenda if, as the Indian Water Commissioner said in Pakistan, 
India is also sincere  [in adhering to the treaty]." 
 
Editorial: Pak-India Bridges, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/12) 
 
"One good turn can lead to another and there were a couple of 
healthy turns taken on the path to a Pakistan-India dialogue on a 
single day.... It's been a positive renewal - even if we are 
starting from scratch all over again - and decision-makers on both 
sides must avoid another false spring by committing themselves 
unconditionally to the ideal of peaceful coexistence.... There is no 
need at this stage to go over the long list of issues that divide 
the two neighbors. What everyone should keep reminding everyone else 
is that these disputes cannot be addressed without earnest 
engagement.... If history is a guide, dialogue is the only way that 
can help reconcile two seemingly impossible positions. In Pakistan, 
and maybe in India was well, there is this fear that the other side 
will somehow be able to twist the talks to its unfair advantage. 
This betrays a lack of trust not only in those who represent the 
people on the dialogue table but also in the public's own ability to 
influence a discussion." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson