Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK464
2009-05-14 08:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
Kyrgyz Election Commission Warns Newspapers over Coverage
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UNCLAS BISHKEK 000464
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyz Election Commission Warns Newspapers over Coverage
of Opposition Meeting
Ref: Bishkek 408
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
UNCLAS BISHKEK 000464
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyz Election Commission Warns Newspapers over Coverage
of Opposition Meeting
Ref: Bishkek 408
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission (CEC) issued
warnings to four opposition newspapers over their coverage of the
April 25 Congress of the United People's Movement (UPM),at which
the UPM endorsed former Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev as the
unified opposition candidate for the July 23 Presidential election
(reftel). The CEC alleged that the press coverage of the
opposition's meeting constituted "early agitation" prior to the
official campaign period.
2. (SBU) The May 1 Congress of the ruling Ak Jol Party, which saw
incumbent President Kurmanbek Bakiyev nominated as the Party's
candidate for the July 23 election, received wide coverage in the
government press, including on state television news broadcasts.
3. (SBU) On May 12, opposition newspaper "Achyk Sayasat" reported
that the CEC had orally admonished four newspapers, warning them to
abstain from "early agitation campaigning." (Note: We confirmed
this report with another affected newspaper and with the CEC
directly. End Note.) The affected newspapers are: "Achyk
Sayasat," "Uchur," "Apta," and "Reporter Bishkek." At a May 7
session of the CEC, Chairman Damir Lisovskyi alleged that the four
newspapers violated Article 30 of the Election Law, which regulates
election media campaigning. He specifically cited the newspapers'
coverage of the April 25 Kurultai (Congress) of the United People's
Movement.
4. (SBU) In its May 12 edition, "Achyk Sayasat" commented that
coverage of the opposition Kurultai was not illegal, since the
Election Law only applies to official candidates who have been
certified by the CEC, and no candidates have yet been certified.
The newspaper also pointed out that government-owned and
pro-governmental media covered the pro-presidential Ak-Jol Party
Congress without comment from the CEC.
GFOELLER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyz Election Commission Warns Newspapers over Coverage
of Opposition Meeting
Ref: Bishkek 408
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission (CEC) issued
warnings to four opposition newspapers over their coverage of the
April 25 Congress of the United People's Movement (UPM),at which
the UPM endorsed former Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev as the
unified opposition candidate for the July 23 Presidential election
(reftel). The CEC alleged that the press coverage of the
opposition's meeting constituted "early agitation" prior to the
official campaign period.
2. (SBU) The May 1 Congress of the ruling Ak Jol Party, which saw
incumbent President Kurmanbek Bakiyev nominated as the Party's
candidate for the July 23 election, received wide coverage in the
government press, including on state television news broadcasts.
3. (SBU) On May 12, opposition newspaper "Achyk Sayasat" reported
that the CEC had orally admonished four newspapers, warning them to
abstain from "early agitation campaigning." (Note: We confirmed
this report with another affected newspaper and with the CEC
directly. End Note.) The affected newspapers are: "Achyk
Sayasat," "Uchur," "Apta," and "Reporter Bishkek." At a May 7
session of the CEC, Chairman Damir Lisovskyi alleged that the four
newspapers violated Article 30 of the Election Law, which regulates
election media campaigning. He specifically cited the newspapers'
coverage of the April 25 Kurultai (Congress) of the United People's
Movement.
4. (SBU) In its May 12 edition, "Achyk Sayasat" commented that
coverage of the opposition Kurultai was not illegal, since the
Election Law only applies to official candidates who have been
certified by the CEC, and no candidates have yet been certified.
The newspaper also pointed out that government-owned and
pro-governmental media covered the pro-presidential Ak-Jol Party
Congress without comment from the CEC.
GFOELLER