Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE120333
2008-11-12 23:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: AZERBAIJAN MOVE AGAINST
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UNCLAS STATE 120333
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV OSCE KDEM AZ LO
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: AZERBAIJAN MOVE AGAINST
FOREIGN BROADCASTERS
UNCLAS STATE 120333
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV OSCE KDEM AZ LO
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: AZERBAIJAN MOVE AGAINST
FOREIGN BROADCASTERS
1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the November 13 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin text:
Mr. Chairman,
The United States has noted with concern reports that
Azerbaijan's National Television and Radio Council may
discontinue local radio broadcasts of international media,
including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Voice of
America and the BBC.
The United States believes that these international
broadcasters have enriched public debate in Azerbaijan and
could contribute to Azerbaijan,s democratic development.
Discontinuing such broadcasts would send a disturbing
message. The broadcasters reach a large audience through FM
radio frequencies. The chairman of Azerbaijan's National
Council on Television and Radio, Mr. Nushiravan Maharramli,
is reported to have announced the Council's intention to ban
these broadcasters' use of such FM frequencies in Azerbaijan.
Mr. Chairman, although Mr. Maharramli is quoted in press
reports as encouraging the broadcasters to use other means,
the reality is that neither use of Internet, satellite, nor
shortwave broadcasting could reach as wide a public audience
in Azerbaijan as current FM methods. It is hard to see how a
decision to remove foreign broadcasters from FM radio serves
our Copenhagen commitment to free, independent and
pluralistic media, elements that we all agreed are essential
to a free and open society and accountable systems of
government. In Vienna nearly a generation ago we agreed that
individuals should be able to freely choose their sources of
information and that we would ensure that radio services can
be directly and normally received in our States.
We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to review this situation
and to find a solution that permits these broadcasters to
continue to serve the people of Azerbaijan through FM
broadcasts.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV OSCE KDEM AZ LO
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: AZERBAIJAN MOVE AGAINST
FOREIGN BROADCASTERS
1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the November 13 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin text:
Mr. Chairman,
The United States has noted with concern reports that
Azerbaijan's National Television and Radio Council may
discontinue local radio broadcasts of international media,
including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Voice of
America and the BBC.
The United States believes that these international
broadcasters have enriched public debate in Azerbaijan and
could contribute to Azerbaijan,s democratic development.
Discontinuing such broadcasts would send a disturbing
message. The broadcasters reach a large audience through FM
radio frequencies. The chairman of Azerbaijan's National
Council on Television and Radio, Mr. Nushiravan Maharramli,
is reported to have announced the Council's intention to ban
these broadcasters' use of such FM frequencies in Azerbaijan.
Mr. Chairman, although Mr. Maharramli is quoted in press
reports as encouraging the broadcasters to use other means,
the reality is that neither use of Internet, satellite, nor
shortwave broadcasting could reach as wide a public audience
in Azerbaijan as current FM methods. It is hard to see how a
decision to remove foreign broadcasters from FM radio serves
our Copenhagen commitment to free, independent and
pluralistic media, elements that we all agreed are essential
to a free and open society and accountable systems of
government. In Vienna nearly a generation ago we agreed that
individuals should be able to freely choose their sources of
information and that we would ensure that radio services can
be directly and normally received in our States.
We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to review this situation
and to find a solution that permits these broadcasters to
continue to serve the people of Azerbaijan through FM
broadcasts.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE