TURKMENISTAN: STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT USCENTCOM ADMIRAL

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000143 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID ECON KPAO MARR OIIP TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT USCENTCOM ADMIRAL FALLON VISIT ¶1. (U) On January 25, the government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) reported on Admiral Fallon's arrival in Turkmenistan, giving accurate details about his planned meetings in the country. Similar reports appeared on the same day on the front pages of state-run dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 43,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 29,091). Russian news agency "RIA Oreanda" (Russian, English) also ran reports similar to state media. ¶2. (U) On January 25, the "Watan" TV news program (Turkmen) reported on Admiral Fallon's meeting with President Berdimuhamedov, emphasizing their talks on maintaining regional security and combating drug trafficking. The Watan broadcast highlighted the recent establishment of a "State Agency for Combating Narcotic Drugs" as a step in this direction and noted Admiral Fallon's gratitude regarding Turkmen-U.S. cooperation on regional security issues. The following day, state-run dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen) carried articles similar to the Watan broadcast on their front pages. The state website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian and English) and the pro-government website "Turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English) also posted similar articles on the meeting. (NOTE: The Watan TV news program rebroadcasts its content several times the following day. END NOTE.) ¶3. (U) COMMENT: Admiral Fallon's visit to Turkmenistan received generally accurate and wide state media coverage. State media continue to make it a general practice to announce upcoming visits by high-ranking U.S. officials before their arrival and give details on planned meetings. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND