CUBA OP-ED PLACED IN MOLDOVAN PRESS

UNCLAS CHISINAU 000539 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL EUN CU MD SUBJECT: CUBA OP-ED PLACED IN MOLDOVAN PRESS REF: STATE 45792 ¶1. (U) Embassy Chisinau supported the U.S. effort to promote peaceful democratic change in Cuba by placing the Op-Ed "Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People" in the local press. ¶2. (U) Ambassador Kirby's signed Op-Ed "Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People" was featured in "Flux" newspaper on Tuesday, May 20. This national newspaper has the largest circulation in Moldova and is affiliated with Iurie Rosca, Vice Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and Chairman of the Christian Democratic People's Party. The article was placed above the fold on page three of the newspaper, and constituted nearly the entire top half of the page. The article was accompanied by a photo of Ambassador Kirby. ¶3. (U) Moldovan media carries almost no international news or editorials, with the exception of articles about Russia or the European Union. No other information or comment about Cuban Solidarity Day was mentioned in the Moldovan press. KIRBY