Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1018
2007-09-25 07:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: STATE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001018
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID ECON KPAO OIIP TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: STATE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
USCIRF DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001018
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID ECON KPAO OIIP TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: STATE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
USCIRF DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN
1. (U) SUMMARY. The U.S. Commission on International Religious
Freedom (USCIRF) delegation's August 20-25, 2007 visit to
Turkmenistan, headed by Michael Cromartie, received positive state
and international media. However, state media avoided any frank
discussion of religious freedom issues within Turkmenistan.
Nevertheless, the mention of the former chief mufti Nasrulla ibn
Ibadullah, who was pardoned and released from prison only a few days
prior to the USCIRF delegation, is perhaps the most significant step
in that direction, thus far. In addition, international media
accurately carried quotes from post's August 24 press release. END
SUMMARY.
STATE MEDIA ANNOUNCES USCIRF DELEGATION'S ARRIVAL
2. (U) On August 19, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen)
announced the delegation's arrival in Turkmenistan and provided some
details of their planned visit, including their meeting with
President Berdimuhamedov. The following day, state dailies "Neutral
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 39,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen,
circ. 28,091),including Russia based pro-government website
"turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English) and government website
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian, English),carried an
article with content similar to the "Watan" news program. (NOTE:
"Watan" re-broadcast the same news content three times the following
day. END NOTE.)
STATE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT DELEGATION'S MEETING WITH
TURKMEN PRESIDENT
3. (U) On August 20, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen) praised
President Berdimuhamedov's meeting with the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom delegation, noting that the sides
exchanged opinions regarding religious organizations' activities and
underlined the importance of dialogue among religious faiths as an
inviolable factor of mutual understanding and harmony among people
in the world. The broadcast noted that the Commission gave a high
assessment to the President's recent pardon of 11 imprisoned
citizens of Turkmenistan. Positive and accurate Turkmen language
interpretation of comments by Cromartie and other delegation members
followed. The following day, state dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan"
(Russian, circ. 39,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 28,289)
on their front pages, as well as Russia-based pro-government website
"turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English) and government website
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian, English),carried an
article with content similar to the "Watan" news program. In
subsequent days, state weekly "Nesli" (Turkmen, circ. 22,791)
reprinted the articles from state dailies, while state weeklies
"Ahal Durmushy" (Turkmen, circ. 34,091),"Balkan" (Turkmen, circ.
25,630),"Esger" (Turkmen, circ. 59.091) and "Turkmen Dunyasi"
(Turkmen, circ. 33,741) gave front-page treatment to the same
articles.
4. (U) On August 21, the Russian news agency "Interfax" (Russian,
English) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (English),in reference
to state media, also covered the delegation's meeting with President
Berdimuhamedov. Both reported the delegation's praise for the
president's decision to release the 11 imprisoned citizens. RFE/RL
in particular highlighted that the delegation welcomed the pardoning
of Turkmenistan's former chief mufti Nasrulla ibn Ibadullah. RFE/RL
also reported that the Commission's early 2007 report accused
Turkmenistan of continued systematic and egregious violation of
freedom of religion or belief. (COMMENT: RFE/RL reported that
Ibadullah objected to late-president Niyazov's order to use passages
from the "Ruhnama" - Niyazov's "book of the soul" - during Muslim
religious services. In addition, Ibadullah had angered the late
president, opposing death sentences after secret trials of suspects
who were accused in the 2002 attack on Niyazov's motorcade. END
COMMENT.)
STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS THE DELEGATION'S VISIT TO COUNCIL ON
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
5. (U) On August 22, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen)
highlighted the delegation's meeting at Turkmenistan's Council on
Religious Affairs. The broadcast noted the delegation's meeting
with Ibadullah at the council, who praised President
ASHGABAT 00001018 002 OF 002
Berdimuhamedov's policy in his interview. Ibadullah praised
Turkmenistan as a homeland of flourishing democracy where human
rights were protected reliably. In conclusion, the news broadcast
reported favorably on the delegation's other meetings, listing the
names of ministries and agencies. (COMMENT: Ibadullah is one of 11
citizens pardoned in early August, 2007. END COMMENT.) The
following day, state dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ.
40,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 29,091) carried a front
page article with similar content. On August 24, government website
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian, English) posted an
article that carried information along the lines of the "Watan"
August 22 news program. (Note: "Watan" news program re-broadcast
the same news content three times the following day. End note.)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA POSITIVE ON THE VISIT AND ACCURATELY CARRY
EMBASSY PRESS RELEASE
6. (U) Associated Press (AP) (English, Russian) August 25 and
Reuters (English, Russian) August 24 articles accurately covered the
delegation's visit to Turkmenistan. Both agencies reported the
delegation's judgment that there has been an improvement in
religious freedom and human rights. The delegation hoped,
nevertheless, for further reform and improvement. Both agencies, in
reference to the embassy press release, accurately carried quotes by
Commissioner Donald Argue and delegation head Michael Cromartie. On
August 27, Russia-based "Moscow Times" (English) accurately carried
an article with mixed content from Associated Press and Reuters
articles.
7. (U) COMMENT: State media carried broad and favorable coverage
of the USCIRF delegation visit including their meeting with
President Berdimuhamedov. Although State media did not discuss
religious freedom problems in Turkmenistan, the mention of the
former chief mufti Nasrulla ibn Ibadullah, who was recently
released, is perhaps the most significant step in that direction
thus far. International media highlighted the USCIRF visit to
Turkmenistan and noted the delegation's expressed appreciation for
improvements. However, only AP and Reuters mentioned the
delegation's continued concerns for improved human rights and
religious freedom, thanks in large measure to the embassy press
release and contact with local stringers for these two news wires.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID ECON KPAO OIIP TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: STATE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
USCIRF DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN
1. (U) SUMMARY. The U.S. Commission on International Religious
Freedom (USCIRF) delegation's August 20-25, 2007 visit to
Turkmenistan, headed by Michael Cromartie, received positive state
and international media. However, state media avoided any frank
discussion of religious freedom issues within Turkmenistan.
Nevertheless, the mention of the former chief mufti Nasrulla ibn
Ibadullah, who was pardoned and released from prison only a few days
prior to the USCIRF delegation, is perhaps the most significant step
in that direction, thus far. In addition, international media
accurately carried quotes from post's August 24 press release. END
SUMMARY.
STATE MEDIA ANNOUNCES USCIRF DELEGATION'S ARRIVAL
2. (U) On August 19, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen)
announced the delegation's arrival in Turkmenistan and provided some
details of their planned visit, including their meeting with
President Berdimuhamedov. The following day, state dailies "Neutral
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 39,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen,
circ. 28,091),including Russia based pro-government website
"turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English) and government website
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian, English),carried an
article with content similar to the "Watan" news program. (NOTE:
"Watan" re-broadcast the same news content three times the following
day. END NOTE.)
STATE AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT DELEGATION'S MEETING WITH
TURKMEN PRESIDENT
3. (U) On August 20, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen) praised
President Berdimuhamedov's meeting with the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom delegation, noting that the sides
exchanged opinions regarding religious organizations' activities and
underlined the importance of dialogue among religious faiths as an
inviolable factor of mutual understanding and harmony among people
in the world. The broadcast noted that the Commission gave a high
assessment to the President's recent pardon of 11 imprisoned
citizens of Turkmenistan. Positive and accurate Turkmen language
interpretation of comments by Cromartie and other delegation members
followed. The following day, state dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan"
(Russian, circ. 39,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 28,289)
on their front pages, as well as Russia-based pro-government website
"turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English) and government website
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian, English),carried an
article with content similar to the "Watan" news program. In
subsequent days, state weekly "Nesli" (Turkmen, circ. 22,791)
reprinted the articles from state dailies, while state weeklies
"Ahal Durmushy" (Turkmen, circ. 34,091),"Balkan" (Turkmen, circ.
25,630),"Esger" (Turkmen, circ. 59.091) and "Turkmen Dunyasi"
(Turkmen, circ. 33,741) gave front-page treatment to the same
articles.
4. (U) On August 21, the Russian news agency "Interfax" (Russian,
English) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (English),in reference
to state media, also covered the delegation's meeting with President
Berdimuhamedov. Both reported the delegation's praise for the
president's decision to release the 11 imprisoned citizens. RFE/RL
in particular highlighted that the delegation welcomed the pardoning
of Turkmenistan's former chief mufti Nasrulla ibn Ibadullah. RFE/RL
also reported that the Commission's early 2007 report accused
Turkmenistan of continued systematic and egregious violation of
freedom of religion or belief. (COMMENT: RFE/RL reported that
Ibadullah objected to late-president Niyazov's order to use passages
from the "Ruhnama" - Niyazov's "book of the soul" - during Muslim
religious services. In addition, Ibadullah had angered the late
president, opposing death sentences after secret trials of suspects
who were accused in the 2002 attack on Niyazov's motorcade. END
COMMENT.)
STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS THE DELEGATION'S VISIT TO COUNCIL ON
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
5. (U) On August 22, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen)
highlighted the delegation's meeting at Turkmenistan's Council on
Religious Affairs. The broadcast noted the delegation's meeting
with Ibadullah at the council, who praised President
ASHGABAT 00001018 002 OF 002
Berdimuhamedov's policy in his interview. Ibadullah praised
Turkmenistan as a homeland of flourishing democracy where human
rights were protected reliably. In conclusion, the news broadcast
reported favorably on the delegation's other meetings, listing the
names of ministries and agencies. (COMMENT: Ibadullah is one of 11
citizens pardoned in early August, 2007. END COMMENT.) The
following day, state dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ.
40,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 29,091) carried a front
page article with similar content. On August 24, government website
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian, English) posted an
article that carried information along the lines of the "Watan"
August 22 news program. (Note: "Watan" news program re-broadcast
the same news content three times the following day. End note.)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA POSITIVE ON THE VISIT AND ACCURATELY CARRY
EMBASSY PRESS RELEASE
6. (U) Associated Press (AP) (English, Russian) August 25 and
Reuters (English, Russian) August 24 articles accurately covered the
delegation's visit to Turkmenistan. Both agencies reported the
delegation's judgment that there has been an improvement in
religious freedom and human rights. The delegation hoped,
nevertheless, for further reform and improvement. Both agencies, in
reference to the embassy press release, accurately carried quotes by
Commissioner Donald Argue and delegation head Michael Cromartie. On
August 27, Russia-based "Moscow Times" (English) accurately carried
an article with mixed content from Associated Press and Reuters
articles.
7. (U) COMMENT: State media carried broad and favorable coverage
of the USCIRF delegation visit including their meeting with
President Berdimuhamedov. Although State media did not discuss
religious freedom problems in Turkmenistan, the mention of the
former chief mufti Nasrulla ibn Ibadullah, who was recently
released, is perhaps the most significant step in that direction
thus far. International media highlighted the USCIRF visit to
Turkmenistan and noted the delegation's expressed appreciation for
improvements. However, only AP and Reuters mentioned the
delegation's continued concerns for improved human rights and
religious freedom, thanks in large measure to the embassy press
release and contact with local stringers for these two news wires.
HOAGLAND