Media Reaction: the Sixth Anniversary of the September 11

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001154 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PPD AND SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG SUBJECT: Media Reaction: the Sixth Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks BISHKEK 00001154 001.2 OF 002 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The sixth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy garnered substantial coverage in the local media. Much of the coverage repeated or supported conspiracy theories printed in Russian media, which is widely-read in Kyrgyzstan. Most of the coverage was critical of U.S. policy post-9/11. However, there was positive coverage, including color photographs, of the commemoration ceremony at Manas Air Base. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Pro-Russian "Komsomolskaya Pravda," which is printed as a local edition in the Kyrgyz Republic, published a lengthy article entitled, "America Itself Blew Up the Twin Towers." According to the newspaper, 130 architects believe that the Twin Towers were demolished by U.S. government authorities. The article clearly supports this conspiracy theory and gives "expert" commentary by a former Russian counter-intelligence officer about why the U.S. would commit this act. ¶3. (SBU) The small and relatively neutral Russian language paper "Litsa" reprinted an article from the Russian newspaper "Vzglyad." The article cites a purported New York Times poll in which 3 out of every 4 Americans believe that the government is hiding the truth about 9/11. It again cites the 130 architects who claim 9/11 was a US government conspiracy. To prove the point, the article concludes with another "suspicious" fact - the collapse of the 3rd building, which was not hit by planes. The general tone of the article is one of suspicion about the official version of events. ¶4. (SBU) The largest daily paper "Vecherniy Bishkek," describes the events commemorating the attacks. The author calls 9/11 a "turning point" in the political life of America, which chose security over certain freedoms. The author further comments that 9/11 "served as a motive to start a long war to save civilization in Iraq." According to the article, only one third of New Yorkers agree with the decision to go to war in Iraq. In a separate article, the newspaper also mentions Osama Bin Laden's 9/11 message, saying that Bin Laden's shadow still hangs over New York. The article asserts that more than half of New Yorkers polled believe an attack could happen again. ¶5. (SBU) "Kyrgyz Ruhu," a Kyrgyz-language publication known for its nostalgic for Soviet days of yore, was critical of current U.S. foreign policy, saying that the U.S. is behind every significant conflict in the world today. The article claims that 9/11 was merely a justification for the U.S. to invade Iraq and Afghanistan. The article says that the U.S. did not find weapons of mass destruction and that Osama Bin Laden was trained by the U.S. government. The article asserts that 9/11 did not have any impact on the U.S. because if it did, the U.S. would not be considering further wars in Iran and North Korea. ¶6. (SBU) Sister publication of "Vecherniy Bishkek," "MSN Subbota" featured the 9/11 commemoration ceremony at Manas Air Base, including color photos. They gave a brief description of the ceremony, which was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff and heads of the local administration. ¶7. (SBU) "Argumenty i Facty," a Russian newspaper with a local supplement, drew a parallel between the events of September 11, 2001, and the "Aksy" events in the south of Kyrgyzstan (peaceful rallies in 2002 that were violently suppressed by the government, resulting in six casualties). The article asserts that in both cases, the government was negligent. The author cites twelve warnings of terrorist attacks that were ignored by U.S. authorities prior to 9/11. ¶8. (SBU) Russia's Channel 1, broadcast throughout Kyrgyzstan and widely viewed, broadcast a summary of the events of 9/11 and briefly described the reconstruction efforts. Although overall the tone of the report was neutral, there were some sarcastic remarks about the memorial monument not yet being constructed due to lack of funds. BISHKEK 00001154 002.2 OF 002 ¶9. (SBU) The author of the "Azamat Report," a local blog with a neutral view of local politics, very briefly describes the events of 9/11 and says, "The world is not a safer place, with Afghanistan ignored and left to the mercy of warlords and Iraq on the brink of failure." YOVANOVITCH