MINISTER OF INFORMATION AL-AWADHI OPEN TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001788 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA DIBBLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2011 TAGS: PREL KPAO PINR YM DEMARCHE DEMOCRATIC REFORM SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INFORMATION AL-AWADHI OPEN TO EXPANDING BROADCAST MEDIA AND INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN YEMEN; NEUTRAL ON MORE BALANCED IRAQ REPORTING REF: A. (A) SANAA 1742 ¶B. (B) STATE 199008 Classified By: Classified by: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, reasons 1.5(b and d) ¶1. (c) Summary: The Ambassador, PAO, and Pol/Econ Chief paid a courtesy call on Minister of Information Hussein Dhaifallah al-Awadhi on July 23 to congratulate him on his appointment and deliver the demarche points in reftel b. (Note: Biographical information in paragraph 8.) In addition to emphasizing the need for more balanced coverage of the situation in Iraq, the possibility of more broadcast options in Yemen, the need for increased freedom of the press and our mutual interest in expanding the International Visitor Program (IVP) for Yemeni journalists in an effort to promote more investigative journalism. End comment. BALANCING IRAQ COVERAGE ) MOI ALREADY BEING CRITICIZED ¶2. (c) After noting improvements in the security situation, the Ambassador said that it is time to consider serious economic reform, including a substantial reduction in corruption. Citing both domestic and foreign investors interest in improvement, the Ambassador highlighted the need for an active and free media to expose corrupt practices. He assured al-Awadhi that the U.S. is looking for ways to help Yemen develop a professional, responsible and well-trained media that will understand the privileges and responsibilities of a free press. He criticized the Yemeni press for not acknowledging positive aspects of the removal of Saddam Hussein,s regime in Iraq, coalition efforts to help the Iraqi,s govern themselves and the establishment of the Governing Council. The Ambassador suggested that the media should be more supportive of the &new8 versus the &old8 Iraq and firmly requested more balanced reporting. ¶3. (c) The Minister said that the Parliament has criticized the Ministry of Information (MOI) for not controlling the papers enough, for example, by not designating coalition operations as the &U.S. occupation.8 He acknowledged that the problem is often a lack of information, and that the independent papers will attack both the official media and the Ministry. When the Ambassador then asked if there was someone else he should speak with, al-Awadhi quickly said that he would call a meeting and point out U.S. concerns, but defended the Yemeni media by comparing it favorably to the Egyptian press. He said that while Yemen did not support the Iraqi government, it has enjoyed a good relationship with the Iraqi people and would like to continue on positive terms. The Ambassador reiterated that both sides of the issues need to be presented, the U.S. is willing to accept criticism, but would also like credit when due -- e.g., formation of the Governing Council. RADIO SAWA ) ACCESS FOR ONE, MEANS ACCESS FOR ALL ¶4. (c) Al-Awahdi said that a draft print media law is in the works and another law is being developed for broadcast media that would pave the way for other radio and television stations (note: The broadcast media is currently all government owned and controlled). He expects to complete the draft in the next two months, and it will then need approval from both the Cabinet and Parliament. He indicated that if it goes forward it would pave the way for the opposition party Islah to request radio and TV broadcasts. Currently, the opposition intermittently broadcasts via short-wave from a mosque. Responding to the Ambassador,s inquiry about allowing a transmitter for Radio Sawa, al-Awahdi expressed concern that if the ROYG gives permission for Sawa (or BBC or Monte Carlo, which have also made requests),Yemeni citizens would also be entitled to the same access. He commented that Yemen is looking to its Arab neighbors for guidance and that Egypt has already started privatizing the media. The Ambassador pointed out that Jordan and numerous Gulf states had licensed Radio Sawa. ¶5. (c) The Minister said that the current focus is on rebuilding broadcast stations and upgrading technology. The goal is to provide service to the entire country in contrast to the current 60 percent coverage. He cited a new radio station in Hodeidah that is being built by a U.S. company at a cost of $1 million as well as a second project. PRESS FREEDOM ) A WORK IN PROGRESS ¶6. (u) While noting that the Yemeni President allows people to express their opinions, the Ambassador commented that pending court cases, intrusive investigations, and the detention of journalists inhibits investigative journalism. He said we would like to work with Yemen to promote freedom of the press and protections against the violation of journalists' rights. Al-Awahdi said the MOI is working to have a provision that would send journalists to jail for certain acts stricken from the new draft print media law and that the Ministry is changing and trying to support the journalists union. He further suggested that visitor exchanges (e.g., professors from journalism programs) as well as the continuation of the Humphrey and International Visitor Programs focused on young journalists would promote more investigative journalism, which Yemen,s print news currently lacks. (Note: al-Awahdi offered to provide accommodation and in-country support for any visiting professor if the U.S. was willing to pay airfare). INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ) MORE WOMEN JOURNALISTS, PLEASE ¶7. (u) The Ambassador passed a list of six journalists who will participate in IV programs between now and March 2004. Al-Awahdi noted the balance between official and independent papers with appreciation, but asked why there were no female journalists. PAO said that inquiries to several women failed to produce any willing to travel without a male escort. Ministry officials promised to provide the names of potentially eligible female journalists able to travel alone. The PAO,s request for biographical information on working Yemeni journalists was also favorably received. ¶8. (u) Biographical note: Born in 1958, Al-Awadhi is a graduate of the University of Maryland, a Humphrey fellow and went on a one month IVP about three years ago. Previously a professor of Arab media at Sanaa University, he has been Minister since 2001 and was retained from the previous cabinet. HULL