IN TAJIKISTAN, THIS WEEK'S MEDIA BOUT GOES TO IRAN

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000359 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PAB, SCA/INS, SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP PREL PGOV IR TI SUBJECT: IN TAJIKISTAN, THIS WEEK'S MEDIA BOUT GOES TO IRAN ¶1. Groundbreaking for the Iran-funded Sangtuda-2 hydropower station dominated weekly press coverage, from Tajik and Russian Internet agencies to radio, television, and print media news outlets. This followed heavy government and independent media attention on last week's announcement of the imminent completion of the Iran-funded Anzob tunnel linking southern Tajikistan with its northern territory. ¶2. In recent weeks, the government-owned media, including Tajik television stations, has given Iran the heavy coverage and positive press it usually gives to Russia. Concerning Sangtuda-2, President Rahmonov stated, "This is not Iran's last contribution . . . Tajikistan and Iran have resumed cooperation after a hiatus of many years. Iran was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Tajikistan." Rahmonov lauded the "billion kilowatt hours a year" that Sangtuda-2 should produce and the great help that Iran is to the people of Tajikistan. ¶3. In addition to these two Iranian building projects, the Tajik media recently began to highlight Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Nosir Sarmadi Porso's political statements about Iran's right to possess nuclear energy and a host of issues not specifically concerning Tajik-Iranian bilateral interests. Tajik and Iranian political leaders alike never fail to mention the close historical and linguistic similarities between the two nations. ¶4. COMMENT: Local Embassy staff were the first to pick up on the shift in media attention on Iran, noting the daily television coverage, front-page newspaper articles, and the elevation of Tajik-Iranian relations, from construction to high-level visits. In addition to the rhetoric of culture closeness, Iran is letting its investments speak for its relations with Tajikistan - Sangtuda-2 and the Anzob Tunnel will cost hundreds of millions to complete over the next few years - and the Tajik media, directed and independent are paying attention. END COMMENT. WILSON