STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT USAID DELEGATION VISIT ON ECONOMIC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000851 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL, ECA, IIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EAID ECON SCUL KPAO OIIP TX SUBJECT: STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT USAID DELEGATION VISIT ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: State media provided positive and broad coverage at an unprecedented level for Deputy Assistant Administrator for USAID Drew Luten's visit to Turkmenistan, July 22-28, as the head of a delegation discussing economic cooperation with Turkmenistan. The delegation's official schedule included meetings with several high ranking officials from various ministries. The delegation also traveled to Dashoguz and Mary provinces, where they held meetings with local authorities and monitored implementation of USAID projects in Turkmenistan. State media highlighted all of the official meetings and most other parts of the entire visit. Coverage of the Luten visit is evidence that state media actively try to promote the perception of a positive partnership with the United States amongst its own people and government, especially in the field of economic development and cooperation. END SUMMARY. STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT DELEGATION'S MEETINGS IN ASHGABAT ¶3. (SBU) In a departure from past practice, the July 23 state Watan TV News broadcast the USAID delegation's meetings, with accompanying video, at the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Economy and Finance. The broadcast also highlighted Luten's senior-level position and emphasized that both sides supported strengthening of cooperation in the areas of economy and finance, as well as agriculture. Normally, only a presidential meeting would receive such coverage. Somewhat misleadingly, the broadcast reported that during the years of independence, Turkmenistan maintained close cooperation with the United States of America. The broadcast also underlined that President Berdimuhamedov paid close attention to the establishment of beneficial cooperation with the countries of the world as part of strengthening relations with foreign countries. ¶4. (U) The video also covered the delegation's visit to the Ashgabat Carpet Museum as part of the cultural program. Finalizing the report, Watan TV news accurately and completely aired Luten's press statement. Luten placed the visit in the context of improved U.S.-Turkmenistan relations and underlined that his delegation proposed specific examples in which the United States could provide international expertise and experience. The same day, pro-government Turkmenistan.ru website (English, Russian) posted an article with content similar to the news broadcasts. The following day, state dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 39,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 28,091) gave front-page treatment to an article with similar content to Watan TV News. On July 26, the state weekly "Nesli" (Turkmen, circ. 22,291) also gave front-page treatment to the same article from the dailies. ¶5. (U) July 24 BBC Monitoring Central Asia's coverage of the visit drew similar content based on the July 23 Watan TV News broadcast. The coverage carried Luten's remarks that the delegation held various meetings on cooperation in the areas of foreign investments, supporting agricultural development, and improving commercial links. ¶6. (U) On July 24, Watan TV News highlighted the delegation's meetings at Turkmenistan's Central Bank, Ministry of Energy and Industry, and the Mejlis (parliament). The news broadcast aired video from each of the meetings and reported accurately on the themes discussed. The story also reported that the delegation would visit various provinces as part of their schedule. STATE TV HIGHLIGHTS DELEGATION'S VISITS TO PROVINCES ¶7. (U) On July 25, the Watan TV News broadcast highlighted the delegations visit to Dashoguz. The broadcast showcased video excerpts from farms and a cheese factory and emphasized the open and successful discussions during their Dashoguz visit. The video showcased Luten and his delegation members interacting with local workers and holding meetings. However, the broadcast failed to mention that any of the sites visited were USAID-funded projects. ¶8. (U) On July 27, Watan TV News reported on the delegation's visit to Mary province. The report highlighted the delegation's visit to an information-resource center and two farm enterprises, where the delegation held interactive discussions with staff on issues of ASHGABAT 00000851 002 OF 002 working conditions, conducting advanced economic statistical analysis, as well as discussions about agriculture processes and development. The report mentioned the delegation exchanged ideas and solutions with local workers on issues of common interest. The broadcast showed no video and again made no mention of USAID-funded projects. ¶9. (SBU) COMMENT: State and pro-government media gave positive and detailed information on the USAID delegation's visit. Reports were generally accurate and attempted to give full coverage of the delegation's work schedule in Turkmenistan. However, as observed in the past, the word and theme of ?assistance? is still a taboo word for the government. As a result, the state media spin was clearly focused on ?cooperation? instead. While this visit's media coverage came closer than others to examining U.S. assistance to the country, admission of USAID-funded projects appears to be still too sensitive. ¶10. (SBU) State media's coverage of non-presidential meetings and activity, as we have seen in this and subsequent U.S. delegation visits, is a huge step towards a less president-centric news environment. Yet, this activity is still in strict accordance with orders from above and does not appear to be the initiative of news editors. Coverage of the Luten visit is also evidence that state media actively try to promote the perception of a vigorous and positive partnership with the United States amongst its own people and government, especially in the field of economic development and cooperation. HOAGLAND