Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT718
2008-06-05 12:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: INTERNATIONAL AND STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000718
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INTERNATIONAL AND STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER'S VISIT.
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000718
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INTERNATIONAL AND STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER'S VISIT.
1. (U) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary Boucher's May 27-30 visit to
Turkmenistan received wide media coverage. International media gave
positive coverage to Boucher's statements on both economic and human
rights issues. State media focused on his remarks of economic
progress and U.S. assistance to Turkmenistan. END SUMMARY.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES' COVERAGE OF BOUCHER'S VISIT
2. (U) The coverage from International news agencies of Assistant
Secretary Boucher's visit was accurately reported and focused on
remarks concerning economic and human rights issues. "Agence France
Presse" (English),"Interfax" (Russian, English),"ITAR-TASS"
(Russian) and "Xinhua" (Russian),"Reuters" (English),"ITAR-TASS"
(Russian) and Azeri "Trend" news agency (Russian) accurately carried
Boucher's remarks on the importance of diversified energy export
routes and energy security. The "Reuters" and "Trend" news
agencies' coverage also accurately carried Boucher's remarks on
Turkmenistan's positive steps towards democratization and improving
human rights, and included his statements on the need for greater
media freedom. Both "Gorgan Voice" radio and Russian "Vremya
Novosty" linked Boucher's visit and remarks to the progressive
dialogue between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on a Trans-Caspian
pipeline.
STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT BOUCHER'S VISIT
3. (U) The May 28 "Watan" TV news program highlighted Boucher's
meeting with President Berdimuhamedov and stressed the importance of
diversifying bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas,
particularly in education, energy and regional issues. The
broadcast hailed Boucher's remarks, emphasizing the readiness of the
U.S. to support and assist reforms in the country. The news program
gave a generally accurate and broad summary of Boucher's follow-up
statements about the meeting. Similar reports the following day
appeared on the front pages of the state-run dailies "Neytralniy
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 44,791) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen,
circ. 29,091).
4. (U) On June 3, the state run TV channel "Turkmenistan" (Russian,
Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, and French) ran a
special 13 minute video program of Boucher's visit. The program
included clips from Boucher's meeting with students at Turkmen State
University, a trip to the Annau Mosque and a press conference with
media representatives. The program accurately carried a summary of
Boucher's introductory remarks from the press-conference as well as
follow-up remarks from his meeting with the students.
5. (U) COMMENT: State Media's extensive and accurate coverage of
U.S. delegations underscores the value THE Turkmenistan government
places on such visits. Foreign media, particularly from Iran and
occasionally from Russia, reflect continued suspicion over U.S
motives in the region. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INTERNATIONAL AND STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER'S VISIT.
1. (U) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary Boucher's May 27-30 visit to
Turkmenistan received wide media coverage. International media gave
positive coverage to Boucher's statements on both economic and human
rights issues. State media focused on his remarks of economic
progress and U.S. assistance to Turkmenistan. END SUMMARY.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES' COVERAGE OF BOUCHER'S VISIT
2. (U) The coverage from International news agencies of Assistant
Secretary Boucher's visit was accurately reported and focused on
remarks concerning economic and human rights issues. "Agence France
Presse" (English),"Interfax" (Russian, English),"ITAR-TASS"
(Russian) and "Xinhua" (Russian),"Reuters" (English),"ITAR-TASS"
(Russian) and Azeri "Trend" news agency (Russian) accurately carried
Boucher's remarks on the importance of diversified energy export
routes and energy security. The "Reuters" and "Trend" news
agencies' coverage also accurately carried Boucher's remarks on
Turkmenistan's positive steps towards democratization and improving
human rights, and included his statements on the need for greater
media freedom. Both "Gorgan Voice" radio and Russian "Vremya
Novosty" linked Boucher's visit and remarks to the progressive
dialogue between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on a Trans-Caspian
pipeline.
STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT BOUCHER'S VISIT
3. (U) The May 28 "Watan" TV news program highlighted Boucher's
meeting with President Berdimuhamedov and stressed the importance of
diversifying bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas,
particularly in education, energy and regional issues. The
broadcast hailed Boucher's remarks, emphasizing the readiness of the
U.S. to support and assist reforms in the country. The news program
gave a generally accurate and broad summary of Boucher's follow-up
statements about the meeting. Similar reports the following day
appeared on the front pages of the state-run dailies "Neytralniy
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 44,791) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen,
circ. 29,091).
4. (U) On June 3, the state run TV channel "Turkmenistan" (Russian,
Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, and French) ran a
special 13 minute video program of Boucher's visit. The program
included clips from Boucher's meeting with students at Turkmen State
University, a trip to the Annau Mosque and a press conference with
media representatives. The program accurately carried a summary of
Boucher's introductory remarks from the press-conference as well as
follow-up remarks from his meeting with the students.
5. (U) COMMENT: State Media's extensive and accurate coverage of
U.S. delegations underscores the value THE Turkmenistan government
places on such visits. Foreign media, particularly from Iran and
occasionally from Russia, reflect continued suspicion over U.S
motives in the region. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND