Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK520
2007-05-04 09:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ PM PARTICIPATES IN US EMBASSY WORLD PRESS FREEDOM

Tags:  PGOV PREL KPAO KG 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000520 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ PM PARTICIPATES IN US EMBASSY WORLD PRESS FREEDOM
DAY EVENT

REF: BISHKEK 00454

BISHKEK 00000520 001.2 OF 002


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000520

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ PM PARTICIPATES IN US EMBASSY WORLD PRESS FREEDOM
DAY EVENT

REF: BISHKEK 00454

BISHKEK 00000520 001.2 OF 002


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION


1. (SBU) Summary: In honor of World Press Freedom Day, Post hosted
an event at the recently raided Freedom House Printing Press. The
Ambassador, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Alamaz Atambayev, and Kyrgyz Media
Representative Shamaral Maychiev gave short remarks regarding the
importance of a free press in a democracy. Alluding to the April 20
raid on the Freedom House press, the PM admitted that the Kyrgyz
Government had made recent mistakes and that the role of government
is to provide safety to the press. Several members of the Kyrgyz
press corps, including recent victims of physical attacks, members
of the Diplomatic and NGO community, were then given a tour of the
facilities. End Summary.


2. (SBU) April was a difficult month for press freedom in
Kyrgyzstan. In addition to four journalists beaten or robbed while
reporting, several reporters were injured or threatened while
reporting on opposition demonstrations in April. The most visible
event was an early morning raid April 20 on the Freedom House
Printing Press where copies of opposition newspapers were seized by
government officials (see REFTEL). In what was clearly a heartfelt
speech at the Freedom House event, Prime Minister Atambayev hit the
right notes on the importance of a free press, and the
responsibility reporters have to be accurate in their reporting. He
opened by quoting Thomas Jefferson, saying if he had to choose
between a government without newspapers or newspapers without
governments, he would choose the newspapers.


3. (SBU) In a significant reference to the April 20 raid, the PM
admitted that the Kyrgyz Government had made recent mistakes and
that the role of government is to provide safety to the press. He
claimed to now be personally investigating recent events involving
journalists, and he said that violence should not be used against
journalists. Atambayev went on to say that there is responsibility
on the part of journalists to be accurate and restrained in their
reporting. Describing a personal tragedy, he explained that his own
mother died of a heart attack after hearing that his opposition
leader father had been described by a journalist as "an enemy of the
state." He closed by asking journalists to be patient, in spite of
their low salaries and the danger in their work, reminding those
assembled of the improvements in press freedom since the Akayev
era.


4. (SBU) Media Representative Shamaral Maychiev, a private lawyer
who advocates on behalf of journalists and media freedom, stated
that journalism is the most important profession in the world,
bringing information to each and every household in Kyrgyzstan.
Asking the rhetorical question of whether Kyrgyzstan has press
freedom, he cited two new laws. The recent freedom of information
law and the newly enacted law converting the state Kyrgyz Television
and Radio station (KTR) into a public television station, which he
said would provide an objective view on news. He stressed that the
confiscation of newspapers and physical attacks against journalists
was unacceptable.


5. (SBU) Comment: Following so shortly on the April 20 raid, this
year's World Press Freedom Day event was an extremely positive
event, given the PM's participation and clear signal that his
government will support and defend media independence. His strong
remarks in support of media were well-covered by government and
private media. Atambayev, who in his youth had set type manually to
earn extra money, was visibly impressed by the tour of the printing
house facility which demonstrated its printing operation efficiency
by instantly producing an issue of a local newspaper with his photo
and excerpts from his speech given just minutes before on the front
page. Furthermore, one local member of the NGO community commented
that, in this time of ongoing pressure on journalists and
independent media, the event was a great way of attracting
government attention to the challenges which lie ahead in building a
truly free and independent media in Kyrgyzstan.


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