Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1265
2009-10-05 03:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S "OPEN" PRESS CONFERENCE
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001265
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S "OPEN" PRESS CONFERENCE
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001265
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S "OPEN" PRESS CONFERENCE
1. (U) SUMMARY: On October 1, President Berdimuhamedov held his
first "open" press conference with state-run and foreign media. The
event was heavily controlled and, like most media events in
Turkmenistan, designed to develop the President's image.
Journalists were forced to repeat questions handed to them by the
President's handlers, and only the positive portions of the
conference were featured in the state-run media. END SUMMARY.
YOU WON'T ASK OUR QUESTIONS, YOU DON'T COME INTO THE ROOM
2. (SBU) The format of the press conference was designed in advance
and rigidly monitored. Only credentialed members of the media were
allowed to attend, thereby excluding any problematic RFE/RL
journalists. In total, the President answered ten questions, five
from the local state-run media, two from Turkish press agencies, one
from the AP, one from AFP, and one from the Russian outlet
"Turkmenistan." The questions (and presumably the answers) were
prepared in advance.
3. (SBU) Upon entering the room, a state media representative
handed each of the foreign stringers a specific question to ask.
All of the foreign journalists that inquired whether they would be
allowed to ask different or additional questions were ignored during
the conference and not provided microphones. When the Reuters
reporter refused to ask his "question," he was escorted from the
room.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: This is Berdimuhamedov's first press conference
since UNGA and reportedly the first he has done in such an "open"
format since taking over as President. However, it is hard to have
a press conference be open when control is so important. END
COMMENT.
CURRAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S "OPEN" PRESS CONFERENCE
1. (U) SUMMARY: On October 1, President Berdimuhamedov held his
first "open" press conference with state-run and foreign media. The
event was heavily controlled and, like most media events in
Turkmenistan, designed to develop the President's image.
Journalists were forced to repeat questions handed to them by the
President's handlers, and only the positive portions of the
conference were featured in the state-run media. END SUMMARY.
YOU WON'T ASK OUR QUESTIONS, YOU DON'T COME INTO THE ROOM
2. (SBU) The format of the press conference was designed in advance
and rigidly monitored. Only credentialed members of the media were
allowed to attend, thereby excluding any problematic RFE/RL
journalists. In total, the President answered ten questions, five
from the local state-run media, two from Turkish press agencies, one
from the AP, one from AFP, and one from the Russian outlet
"Turkmenistan." The questions (and presumably the answers) were
prepared in advance.
3. (SBU) Upon entering the room, a state media representative
handed each of the foreign stringers a specific question to ask.
All of the foreign journalists that inquired whether they would be
allowed to ask different or additional questions were ignored during
the conference and not provided microphones. When the Reuters
reporter refused to ask his "question," he was escorted from the
room.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: This is Berdimuhamedov's first press conference
since UNGA and reportedly the first he has done in such an "open"
format since taking over as President. However, it is hard to have
a press conference be open when control is so important. END
COMMENT.
CURRAN