Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT347
2007-04-05 11:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
RUSSIAN WAR PROPAGANDA INFLUENCES TURKMENISTANIS
how-toVZCZCXRO5897 OO RUEHDBU DE RUEHAH #0347 0951135 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051135Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8597 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0245 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0267 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 1944 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0687 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0741 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2// PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0491 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1744 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0038 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1294
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000347
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2017
TAGS: PROP PREL KPAO SOCI IR RS TX
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN WAR PROPAGANDA INFLUENCES TURKMENISTANIS
Classified By: Acting Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Richard E. Hoagland for r
easons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000347
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2017
TAGS: PROP PREL KPAO SOCI IR RS TX
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN WAR PROPAGANDA INFLUENCES TURKMENISTANIS
Classified By: Acting Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Richard E. Hoagland for r
easons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (U) Moscow's tabloid "Argumenty Nedeli" published on
March 15 a sensational prediction that the U.S. planned to
attack Iran at 0400 hours on April 6. March 30 at a press
conference at RIA-Novosti, retired General Leonid Ivashov
"confirmed" that such an attack is possible. Also on March
30, RIA-Novosti reported Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey
Denisov and First Deputy Defense Minister General Yuriy
Baluyevsky "confirmed" Moscow had information about the
planned U.S. attack on Iran code-named "Operation Bite." In
recent days, this story has flooded Russian television
channels widely watched in Turkmenistan.
2. (SBU) At a meeting with academic exchange program alumni
on March 31, the first question posed to A/CDA was "Is it
true you are going to war with Iran?" In recent days, at
diplomatic receptions there has been a good deal of sardonic
humor about the "4 am Good Friday attack." On April 5, a
local citizen told an EmbOff that some citizens of Ashgabat
are concerned enough about the "imminent war" that they are
stocking up on food for the duration and changing travel
plans.
3. (C) COMMENT: While Russian black propaganda about the
"imminent Operation Bite" can easily be dismissed as tabloid
sensationalism getting out of hand, it has an effect on
people in Turkmenistan (and likely elsewhere in Central Asia)
) especially since Iran is an important player in the
region. It might be useful for Washington to redouble
efforts to develop more aggressive ways to counter Russian
active measures. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2017
TAGS: PROP PREL KPAO SOCI IR RS TX
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN WAR PROPAGANDA INFLUENCES TURKMENISTANIS
Classified By: Acting Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Richard E. Hoagland for r
easons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (U) Moscow's tabloid "Argumenty Nedeli" published on
March 15 a sensational prediction that the U.S. planned to
attack Iran at 0400 hours on April 6. March 30 at a press
conference at RIA-Novosti, retired General Leonid Ivashov
"confirmed" that such an attack is possible. Also on March
30, RIA-Novosti reported Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey
Denisov and First Deputy Defense Minister General Yuriy
Baluyevsky "confirmed" Moscow had information about the
planned U.S. attack on Iran code-named "Operation Bite." In
recent days, this story has flooded Russian television
channels widely watched in Turkmenistan.
2. (SBU) At a meeting with academic exchange program alumni
on March 31, the first question posed to A/CDA was "Is it
true you are going to war with Iran?" In recent days, at
diplomatic receptions there has been a good deal of sardonic
humor about the "4 am Good Friday attack." On April 5, a
local citizen told an EmbOff that some citizens of Ashgabat
are concerned enough about the "imminent war" that they are
stocking up on food for the duration and changing travel
plans.
3. (C) COMMENT: While Russian black propaganda about the
"imminent Operation Bite" can easily be dismissed as tabloid
sensationalism getting out of hand, it has an effect on
people in Turkmenistan (and likely elsewhere in Central Asia)
) especially since Iran is an important player in the
region. It might be useful for Washington to redouble
efforts to develop more aggressive ways to counter Russian
active measures. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND