NINEWA: ENGAGING THE LOCAL PRESS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 004515 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KPAO IZ SUBJECT: NINEWA: ENGAGING THE LOCAL PRESS This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- 1.(U) The Ninewa PRT hosted a group of local reporters for an on-the-record discussion with Team Leader Knight on 25 November, ¶2006. Representatives of seven news organizations attended, including local and international journalists. Topics addressed Ninewa's economic recovery and the impact of U.S. Congressional elections on U.S. efforts in the province. There were few surprises arising from the discussion, but all participants agreed that more regular PRT press events should be scheduled. We hope to use this beginning to advance our Public Diplomacy program. END SUMMARY -------------- FOCUSING ON LOCAL MEDIA -------------- 2.(U) On November 25, 2006, PRT Team Leader Knight spoke at length with seven locally resident reporters, including representatives of Baghdadiya Satellite TV, Civil Society Journal, Middle East Journal, Nahrain Satellite TV, al-Hurra Satellite TV, Associated Press, and the Chine News Agency. Team Leader Knight is the first Ninewa PRT Team Leader to speak to local journalists on-the-record, and this press event marked a significant engagement with local media. This event was also cleared for on-the-record with western press by PA in Washington, working through Embassy Public Affairs Section. Attendees were enthusiastic participants in this press event and requested that similar on-the-record discussions be scheduled monthly. -------------- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS -------------- 3.(U) This press event was restricted to Iraqi-American relations as manifest in Ninewa and Provincial reconstruction. Most questions concerned Ninewa's economy, Provincial and Coalition reconstruction efforts, and the impact of U.S. Congressional elections on U.S. policy in Ninewa. The tone of the event was friendly and inquisitive. 4.(U) Team Leader Knights' responses to reporters' queries focused on rebuilding from neglect to Ninewa by the former regime and the PRT's efforts to build capacity and assist economic recovery in the province. He detailed ongoing reconstruction projects, steps to contain corruption in reconstruction efforts, and Ninewa's economic future - including the PRT's work to resolve ongoing problems of fuel shortages and limited power. -------------- MEDIA PRESENTATION -------------- ¶5. (U) These journalists placed filmed coverage of this discussion on satellite television channels noted para (2). Several indicated coverage generated by this discussion have been submitted to print and electronic media outlets in Ninewa and Kurdistan (Note: We will translate these articles and provide summaries to Embassy Baghdad's Public Affairs Section as they become available. End note.) -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (U) To the extent reasonable, out PRT hopes to respond to the Ninewa media corps' request for more frequent on-the-record discussions related to out work in Ninewa. This meeting was certainly a resounding success - future press events will strengthen our relationship with local media and become integral to our PRT's media outreach program. END COMMENT. KHALILZAD