Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SOFIA609
2008-09-11 08:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIAN MEDIA INCLUDES CRITICISM OF RUSSIA IN GEORGIA
how-toVZCZCXRO0367 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSF #0609 2550852 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 110852Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5390 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SOFIA 000609
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROP PREL PBTS PINS OPRC PGOV GG BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN MEDIA INCLUDES CRITICISM OF RUSSIA IN GEORGIA
CRISIS
UNCLAS SOFIA 000609
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROP PREL PBTS PINS OPRC PGOV GG BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN MEDIA INCLUDES CRITICISM OF RUSSIA IN GEORGIA
CRISIS
1. (U) SUMMARY: Initial, widespread coverage in the Bulgarian media
of the Georgia-Russia conflict was generally thin on hard facts,
often derived from other, Western outlets, and generally critical of
Georgia's actions leading up to the conflict. Over time, the story
moved off the front page, but analyses and commentary reflected a
more balanced tone, with pro-Western and occasionally even centrist
media criticizing Russian actions. Public opinion is still largely
non-committal, though some opinion makers have hammered Russian
policy and actions. END SUMMARY
2. (U) Bulgarian print and broadcast media covered the
Georgia-Russia conflict extensively from its onset in early August
and continue to pay special attention to the latest developments.
The conflict made front-page headlines in almost all Bulgarian media
and was the lead story on major Bulgarian TV and radio stations,
with coverage mostly based on international news media reports,
including newswire stories and video footage. National newspapers
continue to run smaller pieces on the situation in Georgia and the
efforts of the international community to broker peace and to secure
the withdrawal of the Russian armed forces from Georgia.
3. (U) The press also dedicates some attention to Bulgarian efforts
to help resolve the conflict, including offers for Sofia to host
EU-led talks between Georgia and Russia as well as for the Bulgarian
Black Sea port of Burgas to serve as a logistic center for the
distribution of humanitarian assistance to Georgia.
4. (U) In most cases, initial Bulgarian media analyses and
commentary stopped short of criticizing Russian aggression against
Georgia, putting the blame on Georgian President Saakashvili,
branding him a "hothead" and "crazy." One influential and
traditionally pro-Western weekly noted "even though Russia set the
traps, it was Saakashvili who drove Georgia in them."
5. (U) Follow-on media analyses have criticized both sides, as media
balance Bulgaria's complicated history and sentimental ties to
Russia with further concern about Russian actions. Predictably,
most media have followed a general policy of "criticism all-around,"
but anti-Russian pieces have regularly appeared in the pro-Western
press and even upon occasion in centrist national publications.
That latter phenomenon represents a healthier reporting and analytic
trend. Slanted, pro-Russian pieces are, sadly, still too frequent
in some of the fringe papers. Electronic media have generally
adopted an objective and low key approach.
6. (U) One leading pro-Western paper published a full-page opinion
piece titled "The West's Complacency toward Moscow's Arbitrary Act,"
which argued that Russia inherently cannot accept the European world
view of mutual dependence, instead pursuing its own sphere of
influence where outside interference is not welcome. Another
commentary noted that "Russia is showing the world its ugly face,
which domestically has produced patriotic enthusiasm, diverting
attention from the country's deepening international isolation and
looming serious economic problems."
7. (U) Several national dailies have printed commentaries, calling
on Bulgaria "to learn from the lessons" of the conflict. In
particular, the country's second-largest newspaper noted the
issuance of 100,000 Russian passports to residents of South Ossetia,
saying "it shows a contemplated and aggressive plot. . . . 100,000
Bulgarians with Russian passports? It could be a fact tomorrow and
then this would be a Bulgarian problem. With this war, Russia is
trying to create an international precedent - to defend militarily
Russian passports abroad. . . . The Russian bear has roared - are we
on our toes?"
8. (U) COMMENT: In general, the U.S. presidential race has enjoyed
more overall coverage than the Georgia-Russia clash, and domestic
Bulgarian issues remain the top story in virtually all Bulgarian
media. The discussion in the news media is still largely confined
to the Bulgarian intelligentsia and opinion makers, yet the analyses
reflect strong concern about the situation in Georgia. END COMMENT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROP PREL PBTS PINS OPRC PGOV GG BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN MEDIA INCLUDES CRITICISM OF RUSSIA IN GEORGIA
CRISIS
1. (U) SUMMARY: Initial, widespread coverage in the Bulgarian media
of the Georgia-Russia conflict was generally thin on hard facts,
often derived from other, Western outlets, and generally critical of
Georgia's actions leading up to the conflict. Over time, the story
moved off the front page, but analyses and commentary reflected a
more balanced tone, with pro-Western and occasionally even centrist
media criticizing Russian actions. Public opinion is still largely
non-committal, though some opinion makers have hammered Russian
policy and actions. END SUMMARY
2. (U) Bulgarian print and broadcast media covered the
Georgia-Russia conflict extensively from its onset in early August
and continue to pay special attention to the latest developments.
The conflict made front-page headlines in almost all Bulgarian media
and was the lead story on major Bulgarian TV and radio stations,
with coverage mostly based on international news media reports,
including newswire stories and video footage. National newspapers
continue to run smaller pieces on the situation in Georgia and the
efforts of the international community to broker peace and to secure
the withdrawal of the Russian armed forces from Georgia.
3. (U) The press also dedicates some attention to Bulgarian efforts
to help resolve the conflict, including offers for Sofia to host
EU-led talks between Georgia and Russia as well as for the Bulgarian
Black Sea port of Burgas to serve as a logistic center for the
distribution of humanitarian assistance to Georgia.
4. (U) In most cases, initial Bulgarian media analyses and
commentary stopped short of criticizing Russian aggression against
Georgia, putting the blame on Georgian President Saakashvili,
branding him a "hothead" and "crazy." One influential and
traditionally pro-Western weekly noted "even though Russia set the
traps, it was Saakashvili who drove Georgia in them."
5. (U) Follow-on media analyses have criticized both sides, as media
balance Bulgaria's complicated history and sentimental ties to
Russia with further concern about Russian actions. Predictably,
most media have followed a general policy of "criticism all-around,"
but anti-Russian pieces have regularly appeared in the pro-Western
press and even upon occasion in centrist national publications.
That latter phenomenon represents a healthier reporting and analytic
trend. Slanted, pro-Russian pieces are, sadly, still too frequent
in some of the fringe papers. Electronic media have generally
adopted an objective and low key approach.
6. (U) One leading pro-Western paper published a full-page opinion
piece titled "The West's Complacency toward Moscow's Arbitrary Act,"
which argued that Russia inherently cannot accept the European world
view of mutual dependence, instead pursuing its own sphere of
influence where outside interference is not welcome. Another
commentary noted that "Russia is showing the world its ugly face,
which domestically has produced patriotic enthusiasm, diverting
attention from the country's deepening international isolation and
looming serious economic problems."
7. (U) Several national dailies have printed commentaries, calling
on Bulgaria "to learn from the lessons" of the conflict. In
particular, the country's second-largest newspaper noted the
issuance of 100,000 Russian passports to residents of South Ossetia,
saying "it shows a contemplated and aggressive plot. . . . 100,000
Bulgarians with Russian passports? It could be a fact tomorrow and
then this would be a Bulgarian problem. With this war, Russia is
trying to create an international precedent - to defend militarily
Russian passports abroad. . . . The Russian bear has roared - are we
on our toes?"
8. (U) COMMENT: In general, the U.S. presidential race has enjoyed
more overall coverage than the Georgia-Russia clash, and domestic
Bulgarian issues remain the top story in virtually all Bulgarian
media. The discussion in the news media is still largely confined
to the Bulgarian intelligentsia and opinion makers, yet the analyses
reflect strong concern about the situation in Georgia. END COMMENT