KAZAKHSTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO

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SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ECON SOCI KDEM KCRM KPAO KMDR AF KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO
SPEECH

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1. SUMMARY: President Obama's Cairo speech has received
overwhelmingly positive press coverage in Kazakhstan. Official
"Khabar TV" broadcast President Nazarbayev's welcoming comments
about the speech, and daily "Liter" published an in-depth,
analytical story on the address. The overall coverage has been
light, due mainly to timing: the speech was delivered late Thursday
afternoon, which missed the deadlines for the Thursday-Friday weekly
analytical newspapers. However, several Internet news sites
reported positively on the speech. END SUMMARY.

PRESIDENTIAL IMPRIMATUR


2. Several media outlets, including the government-owned flagship
station "Khabar TV," reported President Nazarbayev's reaction to the
Cairo speech. Nazarbayev said he was "inspired by this constructive
approach from the U.S. President, and for its part, Kazakhstan is
ready to keep strengthening the political, cultural, and economic
cooperation between the two countries. There is a vast difference
between leaders of states who rely on fear and violence and
thoughtful leaders who are ready to contribute to building a safe,
free, and prosperous world. In his speech, Barack Obama made it
clear that he understands this difference very well, and I
enthusiastically accept his appeal to work together." In a private
meeting, Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin told Ambassador Hoagland that
it was "one of the best speeches ever and deserves to be published
in 'Speeches that Changed the World.'" Adding that he thought the
candor and intelligence of the speech were unparalleled, Tazhin said
he sincerely hoped President Obama would be successful in his new
opening to the Muslim world-"not for the sake of the United States,
but for the sake of the whole world."

DENYING THE DENIERS


3. Pro-government, Russian-language "Liter" published the most
serious analysis of the speech that has appeared so far. The author
said that the U.S. President admitted that there was "an abyss of
misunderstanding" between the Islamic world and Western countries.
Before Obama's visit to Egypt, the author noted, the White House
made it clear that one of the aims of the visit was to present a new
image of the United States to the Islamic world. But Obama also
unexpectedly stated, "It is my task to change the negative
stereotypes of Islam that have resulted from the fight against
terrorism." The author said that "Obama's attention to the problem
of Holocaust denial was another surprise" and pointed out that "this
was a hint for Iran and its wordy politicians." Though this point
might have been "a sweet treat for Israel," the author thinks that
"one of the requirements for renewing the diplomatic relationship
between the United States and Iran will be Iran's acceptance of the
Holocaust."


4. "As promised," continued the author, "the United States has
abandoned the idea of reforming the world according to its own
standards. Now the United States is aiming at renewing historic
justice." Calling Obama's Middle East policy "equidistant," the
author said that the United States "will not turn its back on
Palestinians who deserve to have a decent life on their own
territory." The author concluded that nothing new was said about
Iran's nuclear program. "Apparently the White House is waiting for
the results of the political battle in Iran, which will either
weaken the fist or make it stronger."

"SECRET MUSLIM"


5. Pro-government, Kazakh-language "Aikyn" wrote, "The Muslim
community all over the world is supportive of and thankful for
Obama's address." The author opined that American analysts were
wondering "why Obama has such a warm heart for Muslims." He
speculated that some of them connect this with Obama's father being
Muslim, while the President's mother is believed to be Catholic and
he says he is Christian, "analysts do not exclude the possibility
that the U.S. President might be a secret Muslim."

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BLOG ALERT


6. Independent Internet outlet "Geokz.tv" published a statement by
the Union of Muslims of Kazakhstan, a small association independent
of the official Islamic hierarchy, that said that Obama's speech
"resonated widely throughout the world" and would help develop
relations between the United States and the Muslim community. "We
want to believe that there was more sincere emotion than political
pragmatism in the speech. The American leader's speech gives hope."
While acknowledging that perhaps Obama would encounter "insuperable
obstacles" on this path, "nevertheless his audacious attempt to
destroy obsolete stereotypes deserves our sympathy and respect."


7. The web site of the opposition, Russian-language "Respublika"
newspaper, noted that it was "very symbolic" that Obama didn't visit
Israel during his trip to the Middle East. In his Cairo speech, he
promised to help Palestinians "like no other American president had
done before." At the same time, Obama stressed that Israel had an
"irrevocable right" to exist. "Political observers question whether
it is possible for Obama to have it both ways." The author
concluded by pointing out that "the U.S. President is being
subjected to severe (domestic) criticism" and saying that he might
have decided to make this trip "to avoid growing discontent at
home."


HOAGLAND