KAZAKHSTAN: TV CO-OP SUBMISSIONS 2009

UNCLAS ASTANA 000756 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/PPD PA/OBS/P FOR GEORGE SANTULLI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OPRC OIIP SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: TV CO-OP SUBMISSIONS 2009 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Embassy Kazakhstan is proud to submit two proposals for the 2009 TV Co-Op Program. The first is a proposal to produce a series of news stories and a 15-minute documentary on trafficking in persons (TIP) in the United States. They will air both locally and on the popular national channels "Astana" and "Channel 31." These stories will also be used as educational tools by local NGOs and the Embassy office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL). The second proposal is for a series of stories highlighting the life of disabled people in the United States. The stories will appear on "Era TV," a growing Astana-based television company. END SUMMARY. Trafficking In Persons: The Proposal ¶2. (U) Journalist Yuliya Yefremova plans to investigate the chain of trafficking in illegal immigrants from Mexico to the United States. She would describe the role U.S. border security plays in fighting trafficking and how U.S NGOs support victims of TIP. ¶3. (U) On returning to Kazakhstan, Ms. Yefremova plans to produce five 3-minute news stories and a 15-minute documentary on anti-TIP activities in the United States. In addition to her main subject, Ms. Yefremova will create five news stories on cultural and social life in America. Every news story and the documentary will air at prime time on "Channel 31 Ust-Kamenogorsk," local independent station "Kalken TV," and government-owned channel "Oskemen Kazakhstan." Additionally, the news stories and the documentary will be run on the national channels "Channel 31" and "Astana." Trafficking in Persons: The Justification ¶4. (U) Kazakhstan faces a growing problem of illegal migration and human trafficking from other Central Asian countries. The danger of falling victim to sexual and labor slavery is very real for illegal migrants. Also, the limited number of shelters for TIP victims is another major Kazakhstani problem. NGOs willing operate shelters, but with little government or private funding. To help counteract these societal problems, Ms. Yefremova hopes to: -- Study U.S. border security in terms of prevention of illegal migration and TIP, and obtain statistics on TIP and illegal migration; -- Participate in law enforcement operations aimed at stopping illegal migration and/or TIP; -- Visit shelters operated by NGOs for TIP victims and/or illegal migrants and learn about their operations and management; -- Interview TIP victims and illegal migrants to get a sense of their motivation; -- Interview independent analysts to get a balanced view of the problem; ¶5. (U) Securing Kazakhstan's borders against illegal immigration and human smuggling dovetails with numerous Embassy programs to prevent trafficking in narcotics, to prevent non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and to prevent the rapid spread of disease across borders, among others. These reports would create popular support for several of our Mission Strategic Goals, such as Partnership in Regional and Strategic Security, Ensuring Non-proliferation to Bolster Global Security, and Improving Health in Kazakhstan to Promote Security and Prosperity. Highlighting U.S. NGO work helps to build civil society in Kazakhstan, and the life and culture pieces will create mutual understanding. It's hard to imagine another single program that touches on as many of Embassy Astana's goals as does this proposal. Trafficking In Persons: The Journalist ¶6. (U) Yuliya Yefremova is a freelance journalist who has covered TIP cases in East Kazakhstan. She created and anchors the View Point program at "Channel 31 Ust-Kamenogorsk." In 2006, she was named Journalist of the Year for social, economic, and political issues by the mayor of Ust-Kamenogorsk. In 2008, she won first prize in a Eurasia Foundation competition for her coverage of illegal immigration and TIP. This will be her first TV Co-Op opportunity. Trafficking In Persons: The Details ¶7. (U) PA/OBS/BS will be asked to assist the crew in identifying appropriate site visits and contacts for interviews. Travel expenses to the United States for the two journalists will be paid by the INL office of U.S. Embassy Astana. Post will cover travel expenses for the interpreter. Disabilities in America: The Proposal ¶8. (U) Dana Saudegerova of "Era TV" plans to film a series of TV stories (approximately ten 20-minute TV reports) about disabled people in the United States. Her stories will focus on how American with disabilities live and work day-to-day. The stories will be broadcast in prime time and will be heavily advertised. Disabilities in America: The Justification ¶9. (U) Disability is a very sensitive topic for Kazakhstani society. Kazakhstani disabled people live in appalling conditions leftover from the Soviet era. Many stay locked in their apartments for months since staircases and elevators are not designed for wheelchairs or crutches. People with disabilities are often unable to work or attend schools or universities. They tend to live in poverty, since it is always impossible to find a job and family members often have to quit their jobs to provide care. Also, public places are not wheelchair accessible, so disabled people are cut off from the life of Kazakhstani society. The American experience in the field of disabilities, and especially the effects of the American with Disabilities Act, can help change the attitudes of both authorities and the general public in Kazakhstan toward the disabled. Some of the issues Ms. Saudegerova would like to explore include: --Social Safety Net - Is it enough to allow for food, housing, medicine, and a decent life; --Employment - Can disabled people find work, are they paid fairly, do they work together with people who are not disabled; --Daily life - How do disabled people move around the city and visit public places? How are they integrated into society; --Education - What is the effect of disabilities on children in school? ¶10. (U) By showing the constructive way America has integrated people with disabilities into daily life, something our exchange program returnees invariably comment on, these reports will do more than simply create a positive view of the United States and build mutual understanding, though these goals are certainly worthy enough in their own right. They can also support a sense of civic virtue that is absent in many post-Soviet societies. The American approach to people with disabilities focuses attention on the need for civil society in Kazakhstan, and the importance of tolerance for and understanding of minorities. This strongly supports one of our high priority Mission Strategic Goals, Supporting the Development of Democratic Systems and Practices. Disabilities in America: The Journalist ¶11. (U) Dana Saudegerova is a correspondent for "Era TV," an Astana-based television company that has been growing in influence and viewership over the last year. "Era" has worked closely with the Embassy on many projects, and we hope to develop that relationship as the channel becomes more and more influential. This will be Ms. Saudegerova's first TV Co-Op opportunity. Disabilities in America: The Details ¶12. (U) PA/OBS/BS will be asked to assist the crew in identifying appropriate site visits and contacts for interviews. Travel expenses to the United States for journalists will be paid for by "ERA TV." MILAS