Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT193
2007-02-14 09:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN MEDIA MAKES RARE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF U.S
how-toVZCZCXRO7147 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0193 0450951 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 140951Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8394 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0654 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0169 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1857 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0600 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0191
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000193
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, IIP/T, IIP/G/NEA-SA, SA
SCA/CEN, SCA/PAB, SCA/INS, SCA/RA, SCA/PPD, DRL
CENTCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS-MAJ.BALDWIN/SGT. BAKER
USCINCPAC FOR POLAD R. HUSO
SECDEF FOR PA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP PREL PGOV AF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MEDIA MAKES RARE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF U.S
ASSISTANCE IN CULTURAL PRESERVATION
REF: Embassy Press Releases on 01/19/07
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000193
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, IIP/T, IIP/G/NEA-SA, SA
SCA/CEN, SCA/PAB, SCA/INS, SCA/RA, SCA/PPD, DRL
CENTCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS-MAJ.BALDWIN/SGT. BAKER
USCINCPAC FOR POLAD R. HUSO
SECDEF FOR PA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP PREL PGOV AF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MEDIA MAKES RARE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF U.S
ASSISTANCE IN CULTURAL PRESERVATION
REF: Embassy Press Releases on 01/19/07
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) The presidential campaign in Turkmenistan overshadowed most
other news in January. State media omitted coverage of a working
visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum on January 10-14. However,
pro-government website TURKMENISTAN.RU published an article on an
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation project, giving rare
credit to the U.S. Government for its support. End Summary.
STATE MEDIA OMITS FEIGENBAUM'S VISIT, AS EXPECTED
-------------- ---
2. (U) DAS Feigenbaum's visit to Turkmenistan received no state
media coverage. On January 19, newswires Associated Press (English)
and Dow Jones International News (English) provided coverage on the
visit based on the embassy's press release posted on January 19.
(Note: The host government had requested a low profile for
Feigenbaum's visit. End note.)
STATE MEDIA GIVES POSITIVE COVERAGE OF STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDED
PROJECT
-------------- --------------
3. (U) Russia based pro-government website TURKMENISTAN.RU
(English, Russian) published an article on January 23 about the
completion of restoration activities at the Ak Saray Ding (White
Palace Tower) monument in Dashoguz. The article described work
completed by employees of the Institute of History under the Cabinet
of Ministers of Turkmenistan, but also mentioned that the U.S. State
Department financed the project with a grant from Ambassador's Fund
for Cultural Preservation. The following day, news agency Times of
Central Asia (English) reprinted the content of the article. On
January 23, state dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ.
35,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 28,091) published
articles with similar content, emphasizing the State Department's
contribution in the restoration in the lead paragraph. On January
25, state weekly "Watan" (Turkmen, circ. 26,091) reprinted the
article from state dailies.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (U) State media often provides positive coverage of
post-sponsored cultural events and news, but is not consistent in
crediting the U.S. Government for its contributions. The print
coverage was followed in February by a television broadcast of the
project activity, but the Miras Cultural Center (under the Ministry
of Culture) cut out portions of the interview with the project
manager where she credited the U.S. Government. When the project
manager saw the coverage and realized it had been cut, she appealed
to Miras, but they said they "could not" include it. (Note: Post
believes Miras is simply afraid to stick its neck out by
highlighting U.S. involvement in its activity, despite the fact that
the Ministry of Culture has explicitly thanked post for its
Ambassador's Fund support. End Note.) END COMMENT.
BRUSH
Drafted: IMA MHummedov
02/06/2007
Q:\Media Assistant\Media Reactions\Cables\2007\Monthly MRCs
2007\January\20070206 MRCablel - January.doc
Cleared: A/PAO
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, IIP/T, IIP/G/NEA-SA, SA
SCA/CEN, SCA/PAB, SCA/INS, SCA/RA, SCA/PPD, DRL
CENTCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS-MAJ.BALDWIN/SGT. BAKER
USCINCPAC FOR POLAD R. HUSO
SECDEF FOR PA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP PREL PGOV AF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MEDIA MAKES RARE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF U.S
ASSISTANCE IN CULTURAL PRESERVATION
REF: Embassy Press Releases on 01/19/07
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) The presidential campaign in Turkmenistan overshadowed most
other news in January. State media omitted coverage of a working
visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum on January 10-14. However,
pro-government website TURKMENISTAN.RU published an article on an
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation project, giving rare
credit to the U.S. Government for its support. End Summary.
STATE MEDIA OMITS FEIGENBAUM'S VISIT, AS EXPECTED
-------------- ---
2. (U) DAS Feigenbaum's visit to Turkmenistan received no state
media coverage. On January 19, newswires Associated Press (English)
and Dow Jones International News (English) provided coverage on the
visit based on the embassy's press release posted on January 19.
(Note: The host government had requested a low profile for
Feigenbaum's visit. End note.)
STATE MEDIA GIVES POSITIVE COVERAGE OF STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDED
PROJECT
-------------- --------------
3. (U) Russia based pro-government website TURKMENISTAN.RU
(English, Russian) published an article on January 23 about the
completion of restoration activities at the Ak Saray Ding (White
Palace Tower) monument in Dashoguz. The article described work
completed by employees of the Institute of History under the Cabinet
of Ministers of Turkmenistan, but also mentioned that the U.S. State
Department financed the project with a grant from Ambassador's Fund
for Cultural Preservation. The following day, news agency Times of
Central Asia (English) reprinted the content of the article. On
January 23, state dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ.
35,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 28,091) published
articles with similar content, emphasizing the State Department's
contribution in the restoration in the lead paragraph. On January
25, state weekly "Watan" (Turkmen, circ. 26,091) reprinted the
article from state dailies.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (U) State media often provides positive coverage of
post-sponsored cultural events and news, but is not consistent in
crediting the U.S. Government for its contributions. The print
coverage was followed in February by a television broadcast of the
project activity, but the Miras Cultural Center (under the Ministry
of Culture) cut out portions of the interview with the project
manager where she credited the U.S. Government. When the project
manager saw the coverage and realized it had been cut, she appealed
to Miras, but they said they "could not" include it. (Note: Post
believes Miras is simply afraid to stick its neck out by
highlighting U.S. involvement in its activity, despite the fact that
the Ministry of Culture has explicitly thanked post for its
Ambassador's Fund support. End Note.) END COMMENT.
BRUSH
Drafted: IMA MHummedov
02/06/2007
Q:\Media Assistant\Media Reactions\Cables\2007\Monthly MRCs
2007\January\20070206 MRCablel - January.doc
Cleared: A/PAO