KYRGYZSTAN: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR RFE/RL WITH STATE TV

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SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR RFE/RL WITH STATE TV
DIRECTOR

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1. (SBU) Summary: On January 21, Ambassador Gfoeller met with KTR
Director Melis Eshimkanov to advocate for RFE/RL and to discuss the
stalemate in negotiations to get RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service, Azattyk,
back on the air. While Eshimkanov reiterated complaints about the
content of Azattyk programming, he indicated that he was still open
to negotiations with RFE/RL. He suggested ways in which the Embassy
could lobby for RFE/RL programming. End Summary.

ESHIMKANOV AIRS COMPLAINTS
--------------


2. (SBU) Eshimkanov was cordial toward the Ambassador but indicated
that he would like a written apology from IBB contracting officer
Cherelynn Peters for her December 11 letter to him, which he found
offensive. He said he was also unhappy about RFE/RL's public
comments accusing him of censorship, which he denies.


3. (SBU) Eshimkanov said that he recently reported to RFE/RL in
Prague three Azattyk broadcasts that he found offensive and
unethical. He said that under Kyrgyz law, KTR still has legal
responsibility for the content of RFE/RL programming and he
requested RFE/RL to find a way to take responsibility under Kyrgyz
law. He also said that he had requested RFE/RL Prague to fire
Azattyk Director Kubat Otorbaev because he believes Otorbaev lacks
the judgment to produce balanced content.


4. (SBU) One of Eshimkanov's complaints involved a "violation of
journalist ethics" that allegedly took place in the KTR studio where
Azattyk films its youth-oriented program "Azattyk Plus." Eshimkanov
said that while filming, Azattyk shut off the lights, lit candles,
and said on the air, "We don't have electricity in Kyrgyzstan.
There is no electricity at KTR." He cited other examples of
broadcasts he found offensive, including, for example, when
opposition leaders say controversial things on Azattyk about
government officials. He said, "Maybe this is allowed in the United
States, but this is not public television. The President gets very
upset when they say bad things about him on his own channel."


5. (SBU) Ambassador Gfoeller advocated forcefully for RFE/RL and
reminded Eshimkanov that the Kyrgyz Republic has historically
distinguished itself from neighboring countries as having the
"freest press in Central Asia." She said that the problems between
KTR and RFE/RL threaten to tarnish the image of the Kyrgyz Republic
as a bastion of free expression. Eshimkanov agreed and said he did
not think that a Karimov-type regime is suited to the Kyrgyz
people.

ESHIMKANOV'S SUGGESTIONS
--------------


6. (SBU) Eshimkanov indicated that he would be more comfortable
signing an agreement if the Ambassador wins the support of President
Bakiyev. Eshimkanov indicated that the President's new
Chief-of-Staff, Daniyar Usenov, may be more supportive of Azattyk
than the old Chief-of-Staff, Medet Sadyrkulov. Eshimkanov also
suggested that the Ambassador meet with Oksana Malevannaya, the new
Chief of the Secretariat under the President (responsible for the
Protocol and Press Service).

NEXT STEPS
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7. (SBU) Post recommends that IBB contracting officer Cherelynn
Peters write an apology letter to Eshimkanov. Ambassador Gfoeller
will request a meeting with President Bakiyev, and will meet with
the new Chief of the Secretariat under the President. Post, RFE/RL,
and IBB will brainstorm ways to reassure KTR about the content of
Azattyk. Some preliminary ideas include studying the Kyrgyz Law on
TV and Radio Broadcasting to find a way to relieve KTR of legal
responsibility for content and providing stronger guarantees to KTR
on content (such as stronger language in the contract giving IBB

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responsibility for content or on-air disclaimers).

GFOELLER