Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE246
2006-02-06 12:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
ROUNDTABLE WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR AND LOCAL MEDIA
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000246
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, DRL, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR PROP KDEM KPAO TI
SUBJECT: ROUNDTABLE WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR AND LOCAL MEDIA
DUSHANBE 00000246 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000246
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, DRL, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR PROP KDEM KPAO TI
SUBJECT: ROUNDTABLE WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR AND LOCAL MEDIA
DUSHANBE 00000246 001.2 OF 002
1. The Ambassador and PAO met on February 3 with 15 local
editors and other prominent journalists for a 90-minute informal
but on-the-record roundtable.
--------------
U.S. PATRIOT ACT
--------------
2. The journalists covered a variety of topics, starting with
the State of the Union address and the President's comments on
the Patriot Act. The Ambassador explained that the Act was a
response to the events of September 11, 2001, and gave
law-enforcement agencies in the U.S. more leeway to track down
terrorists. He added that historically during wartime, the U.S.
has experienced some abridgement of civil liberties, but the
issue has always been vigorously debated in our democratic
society.
--------------
U.S. NGOS
--------------
3. The journalists asked about the status of foreign NGOs
working in the United States. The Ambassador pointed out that
although there is certainly no restriction on foreign NGOs in
the United States (with the exception of the limits on providing
money to political parties),most international NGOs work in
developing countries. The Ambassador stated that media reports
of U.S. NGOs being linked to intelligence agencies with the goal
of overthrowing governments in the region is nothing more than
intentionally harmful "black propaganda."
--------------
EXTREMISM VS. TERRORISM: THE HT EXAMPLE
--------------
4. The journalists were very interested in the definition of a
terrorist versus extremist organization, and wondered why
extremists like Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) are allowed to operate in
the United States. The Ambassador explained that unless the
group is violent or espouses violence, its members are entitled
to their rights under the U.S. Constitution, including the
freedom of speech and of assembly. There is never, however, the
right to hurt other people or destroy property. The Ambassador
acknowledged that HT is an extremist organization that bears
close observation, but it is not a terrorist organization
because there is no proof that it has ever employed violence.
--------------
THE DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY
--------------
5. The journalists asked about the "Danish cartoons," noting
their lack of sensitivity to Islam. A lively discussion ensued
as to when it becomes like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater
and goes beyond freedom of speech. The journalists bemoaned the
lack of sensitivity to Islam in Western culture.
6. After these more philosophical topics, the journalists moved
to the tougher questions: U.S. policy on Iran and Hamas. The
Ambassador hewed closely to the Department's Echo Chamber
talking points.
--------------
DNI SAYS CENTRAL ASIA TO COLLAPSE INTO CHAOS?
--------------
7. A journalist asked the Ambassador to comment on DNI
Negroponte's statement that Central Asia is in danger of
collapsing into chaos. The Ambassador said he could not comment
DUSHANBE 00000246 002.2 OF 002
because he had not yet seen the original statement and did not
know if the DNI had been correctly quoted. (COMMENT: We have
now seen the statement and expect it will elicit much media
discussion in coming days. END COMMENT.)
8. The journalists unanimously concurred that an informal
roundtable at the Ambassador's residence was better than a
formal press conference, and that it should occur on an
occasional basis. Post fully concurs and will make this a
regular part of our public diplomacy outreach.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, DRL, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR PROP KDEM KPAO TI
SUBJECT: ROUNDTABLE WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR AND LOCAL MEDIA
DUSHANBE 00000246 001.2 OF 002
1. The Ambassador and PAO met on February 3 with 15 local
editors and other prominent journalists for a 90-minute informal
but on-the-record roundtable.
--------------
U.S. PATRIOT ACT
--------------
2. The journalists covered a variety of topics, starting with
the State of the Union address and the President's comments on
the Patriot Act. The Ambassador explained that the Act was a
response to the events of September 11, 2001, and gave
law-enforcement agencies in the U.S. more leeway to track down
terrorists. He added that historically during wartime, the U.S.
has experienced some abridgement of civil liberties, but the
issue has always been vigorously debated in our democratic
society.
--------------
U.S. NGOS
--------------
3. The journalists asked about the status of foreign NGOs
working in the United States. The Ambassador pointed out that
although there is certainly no restriction on foreign NGOs in
the United States (with the exception of the limits on providing
money to political parties),most international NGOs work in
developing countries. The Ambassador stated that media reports
of U.S. NGOs being linked to intelligence agencies with the goal
of overthrowing governments in the region is nothing more than
intentionally harmful "black propaganda."
--------------
EXTREMISM VS. TERRORISM: THE HT EXAMPLE
--------------
4. The journalists were very interested in the definition of a
terrorist versus extremist organization, and wondered why
extremists like Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) are allowed to operate in
the United States. The Ambassador explained that unless the
group is violent or espouses violence, its members are entitled
to their rights under the U.S. Constitution, including the
freedom of speech and of assembly. There is never, however, the
right to hurt other people or destroy property. The Ambassador
acknowledged that HT is an extremist organization that bears
close observation, but it is not a terrorist organization
because there is no proof that it has ever employed violence.
--------------
THE DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY
--------------
5. The journalists asked about the "Danish cartoons," noting
their lack of sensitivity to Islam. A lively discussion ensued
as to when it becomes like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater
and goes beyond freedom of speech. The journalists bemoaned the
lack of sensitivity to Islam in Western culture.
6. After these more philosophical topics, the journalists moved
to the tougher questions: U.S. policy on Iran and Hamas. The
Ambassador hewed closely to the Department's Echo Chamber
talking points.
--------------
DNI SAYS CENTRAL ASIA TO COLLAPSE INTO CHAOS?
--------------
7. A journalist asked the Ambassador to comment on DNI
Negroponte's statement that Central Asia is in danger of
collapsing into chaos. The Ambassador said he could not comment
DUSHANBE 00000246 002.2 OF 002
because he had not yet seen the original statement and did not
know if the DNI had been correctly quoted. (COMMENT: We have
now seen the statement and expect it will elicit much media
discussion in coming days. END COMMENT.)
8. The journalists unanimously concurred that an informal
roundtable at the Ambassador's residence was better than a
formal press conference, and that it should occur on an
occasional basis. Post fully concurs and will make this a
regular part of our public diplomacy outreach.
HOAGLAND