Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT722
2009-06-09 10:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN: EFFECTIVE MEDIA COVERAGE OF

Tags:  PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
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INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000722 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP, ECA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: EFFECTIVE MEDIA COVERAGE OF
SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY MORNINGSTAR VISIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000722

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP, ECA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: EFFECTIVE MEDIA COVERAGE OF
SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY MORNINGSTAR VISIT


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public
Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.S. Secretary of State's Special
Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard L. Morningstar visited
Turkmenistan May 29, 2009, holding meetings with
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and high-ranking
government officials to discuss energy cooperation with
Turkmenistan. The visit received generally accurate and
wide media coverage. Morningstar's written answers to
international media representatives received accurate
coverage and proved to be an effective outreach tool
given the packed, one-day schedule. Most media coverage
focused on Morningstar's remarks regarding energy
diversification and Turkmenistan's potential
participation in the Nabucco pipeline project. Some
media accurately quoted Morningstar regarding Iran's
participation in energy projects and/or carried Post's
press release on the visit. END SUMMARY.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHT MORNINGSTAR VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN


3. (U) On May 29, the "Watan" evening TV news program
(Turkmen) highlighted Morningstar's meeting with
President Berdimuhamedov and meetings with government
officials. The broadcast praised Morningstar's greetings
to the President from President Obama and Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton, emphasizing that the United States
attached special importance towards developing a
dependable and promising partnership with Turkmenistan.
The following day, state-run dailies "Neutral
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 47,091) and "Turkmenistan"
(Turkmen, circ. 36,091) carried articles similar to the
"Watan" broadcast on their front pages. The state
website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (Turkmen, Russian and
English) also posted similar articles on the meeting. An
April 30 article by news source "ISRIA - FRANCE"
(English) reprinted the state website article on the
visit.


4. (U) Azeri news agency "Trend" (Russian, English)
accurately highlighted the visit based on the Embassy
press release on May 30.

MEDIA ACCURATE ON MORNINGSTAR'S REMARKS FOR
DIVERSIFICATION


5. (U) May 29 stories from "Reuters" (English),Russian
news agencies "RIA Novosti" (Russian) and "ITAR-TASS"
(English, Russian) accurately quoted Morningstar on U.S.
support for Turkmenistan's efforts to diversify energy
transport routes. Morningstar stated that the United
States was supportive of Turkmenistan's participation in
projects, including "Nabucco" or any other, that would
take Turkmenistan's gas to world markets. He emphasized
that the United States would continue to support
Turkmenistan's independence and sovereignty through its
assistance in development of alternative export routes.
Morningstar also noted the United States was encouraged
by improved dialog between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan,
which would help to make further steps for cooperation in
energy export. The same day, opposition website
"Gundogar" (Russian) reprinted the "ITAR-TASS" story.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHT MORNINGSTAR'S COMMENTS ON IRAN'S
PARTICIPATION IN ENERGY PROJECTS


6. (U) May 29 stories from Russian news agencies "ITAR-
TASS" (Russian) and "RIA Novosit" (Russian) accurately
quoted Morningstar regarding U.S. policy toward Iran's
involvement in energy projects. Morningstar emphasized
President Obama's new approach toward Iran, but made it
clear it is not yet time to include Iran in any energy

ASHGABAT 00000722 002 OF 002


projects. Morningstar also expressed hope for change in
Iran's policy so that it can be welcomed in future energy
projects.


7. (SBU) COMMENT: The visit received positive and
accurate coverage. Post believes that outreach to
international stringers may have averted the tendency of
Russian media to misconstrue U.S. involvement in the
region or policy towards Iran. Russian media accurately
highlighted the visit and accurately quoted Morningstar
on U.S. energy policy toward Turkmenistan and current
U.S. policy toward Iran. State media praised the visit
and Morningstar's warm greetings to President
Berdimuhamedov on behalf of President Obama and Secretary
of State Clinton. END COMMENT.

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