Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT951
2009-07-30 08:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON JULY POST EVENTS

Tags:  PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHAH #0951 2110801
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300801Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3220
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000951 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON JULY POST EVENTS

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000951

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON JULY POST EVENTS


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


2. (U) SUMMARY: In July, media carried accurate and favorable
coverage of post events. U.S. Independence Day and the speech which
the Charge d'Affaires delivered at Post's official reception were
highlighted in state print media. Under Secretary of State for
Political Affairs Bill Burns' press conference, which was held
during his July 10-11 visit to Turkmenistan, received generally
accurate coverage on the state TV channel. Also, media provided
generally accurate coverage of United States Agency of International
Development (USAID) projects in Turkmenistan. END SUMMARY.

STATE PRINT OUTLETS HIGHLIGHT JULY 4TH CELEBRATION OF U.S.
INDEPENDENCE


3. (U) On July 4, the state-run dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan"
(Russian, circ. 47,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091)
posted an accurate speech delivered by Charge d'Affaires Richard
Miles at Post's Independence Day reception, which Post submitted to
the newspapers in advance. Also, the same day, Turkish newspaper
"Zaman-International's" Turkmenistan edition (Turkmen, circ. 34,100)
published an article accurately highlighting Post's reception,
followed by the Charge's speech.

STATE TV CHANNEL HIGHLIGHTS PRESS-CONFERENCE WITH UNDER SECRETARY OF
STATE


4. (U) On July 17, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen,
English, Chinese, Arabic, Persian, French) accurately highlighted
the press conference held on July 11, during the visit of Under
Secretary of State Bill Burns. The broadcast included accurate
interview remarks made by Burns and Special Envoy for Eurasian
Energy Richard Morningstar.

MEDIA CARRY POST PRESS RELEASES ON USAID PROJECTS


5. (U) On July 11, "US Fed News" (English) ran a Post-issued press
release on a USAID program on econometrics for Turkmen specialists.
On July 13, "Targeted News Service" (English) posted a press release
issued earlier by Post regarding USAID's distribution of materials
on tuberculosis throughout Turkmenistan. The following day,
Kyrgyzstan based "CA-NEWS" (Russian) accurately reprinted the same
press release. Also, the same press release was posted by "US Fed
News" (English) on July 23. On July 17, Kyrgyzstan based "CA-NEWS"
(Russian) and Kazakh news agency "KZ Press-Club" (Russian) carried
Post's press release on a USAID-funded training course for
specialists working with drug users. On July 23, "US Fed News"
(English) also posted the same press release. On July 22, Azeri
news agency "Trend" (Russian) carried a Post-issued press release on
a USAID sponsored study tour to the National Bank of Kazakhstan for
Turkmen bank specialists. The same press release was posted by "US
Fed News" (English) on July 23.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: During July, local and international media
carried generally accurate coverage of Post events. Compared to
previous years, this year, state media showed a significant interest
in the celebration of Independence Day, and published stories about
it on state newspapers. USAID activities in Turkmenistan continue
to receive accurate and favorable coverage. END COMMENT.

CURRAN