Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1222
2008-12-10 08:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ TV PULLS RFE/RL OFF THE AIR, AVOIDS EMBASSY

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPAO KG 
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P 100844Z DEC 08
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001222 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ TV PULLS RFE/RL OFF THE AIR, AVOIDS EMBASSY

BISHKEK 00001222 001.2 OF 002


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001222

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ TV PULLS RFE/RL OFF THE AIR, AVOIDS EMBASSY

BISHKEK 00001222 001.2 OF 002


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION


1. (SBU) Summary: Kyrgyz National Television and Radio Company
(KTR) suspended broadcasting of RFE/RL radio and television
programming on October 8, ostensibly due to non-payment by the
International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB). However, IBB has since
confirmed that its electronic funds transfer reached KTR. KTR
Director Melis Eshimkanov has been "too busy" to meet with the
Embassy to discuss the issue, but he told the press December 5 that
he ordered the suspension of RFE/RL programming on contractual
grounds. Despite KRT's actions, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz-language Radio
Azattyk programming continues to be broadcast on private FM station
in parts of Kyrgyzstan, including in Bishkek. End Summary.

KTR SUSPENDS RFE/RL PROGRAMMING
--------------


2. (SBU) On October 8, the Kyrgyz National Television and Radio
Company (KTR) stopped transmitting RFE/RL's Kyrgyz0-language Radio
Azattyk programming, as well as Azattyk TV. (Note: Radio Azattyk
continues to be broadcast through private FM radio stations. See
paragraph 6, below. End Note.) Coincidentally, KTR pulled the plug
when Azattyk was advertising a special program on the results of
Kyrgyzstan's October 5 local elections. KTR claimed that RFE/RL and
IBB had not made payments required under their broadcasting
agreement. For several months preceding KTR's move to cut off
RFE/RL programming, IBB attempted to transfer payment electronically
but was told by KTR that the money did not come through. KTR
provided incorrect bank account information to IBB five times, and
five times IBB unsuccessfully attempted to transfer payment. In
October, IBB was finally able to confirm that KTR had received the
money. Nevertheless, KTR pulled RFE/RL programming off the air
claiming non-payment.

ESHIMKANOV "TOO BUSY" TO MEET WITH EMBASSY
--------------


3. (SBU) Embassy has tried repeatedly to meet with KTR Director
Melis Eshimkanov to discuss the suspension of RFE/RL programming.
Most recently, Eshimkanov's deputy told us that Eshimkanov is "too
busy" planning KTR's fiftieth anniversary gala and asked us to call
back on December 11.


4. (SBU) Eshimkanov is also busy with challenges from KTR staff. In
late November, several leading KTR reporters and managers gave a
press conference and interviews accusing Eshimkanov of bad
management and embezzlement. Over 300 KTR employees submitted a
petition on November 26, in which they stated that Eshimkanov
"contravened human and management norms and aggravated the social
situation in KTR to an unbearable point." On December 3, a group
that included several KTR TV stars erected a yurt in a local park
and began a hunger strike. The yurt was quickly dismantled by the
militia, but protestors are planning another anti-Eshimkanov
protest. Assol Moldokmatova, local celebrity and protest leader,
accused Eshimkanov of sexual harassment. Eshimkanov has not
publicly reacted to the protests and accusations. He has said he is
too busy with KTR's 50-year anniversary gala.

BBC HOPES TO BE BACK ON AIR SOON
--------------


5. (SBU) On December 5, Eshimkanov publicly announced the suspension
of the BBC's local service, also citing contractual grounds. The
BBC has responded by sending a delegation from London, which arrived
in Bishkek December 9. Despite Eshimkanov's busy schedule, he has
agreed to meet with the delegation on December 10. He has also
reportedly promised to put the BBC back on the air on December 10.

SOME RFE/RL PROGRAMMING UNAFFECTED
--------------


6. (SBU) While KTR cut off RFE/RL'S Kyrgyz-language services, Radio
Azattyk and Azattyk TV, Radio Azattyk continues to be available

BISHKEK 00001222 002.2 OF 002


through private FM stations: Radio Almaz and Parliament (Bishkek),
Radio Most (Talas),Radio LW (Karakol),Radio Almaz-Naryn, and Radio
Salam (Batken). It is also available online and through satellites
(HotBird-8 and AsiaSat 3). From time-to-time, Azattyk has been
unavailable or been broadcast with a weak signal, but the Director
of Radio Almaz explained that those were simply technical problems.


7. (SBU) Comment: Eshimkanov has declined to meet with the Embassy
to discuss the suspension of RFE/RL programming, and his office
would not confirm a meeting when RFE/RL proposed to send a
delegation from Prague. We have raised concerns about the
suspension with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we will
continue to raise this with other members of the government. While
Radio Azattyk is still available in parts of Kyrgyzstan,
re-broadcasting on KTR gave nationwide coverage for Azattyk
programming.

LITZENBERGER