Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK757
2009-07-16 09:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
Kyrgyzstan: Media Reaction to Under Secretary Burns's
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UNCLAS BISHKEK 000757
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyzstan: Media Reaction to Under Secretary Burns's
Visit
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
UNCLAS BISHKEK 000757
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyzstan: Media Reaction to Under Secretary Burns's
Visit
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The visit of Under Secretary Burns was widely
covered by local media. There was same-day television and internet
coverage which reported only the facts. Pro-governmental news
outlets, including the Kyrgyz Television and Radio Company (KTR)
spun the visit as an endorsement of President Bakiyev's "Bishkek
Initiative" on Afghanistan. End Summary.
2. (SBU) On July 13, "Vechernyi Bishkek" published a full transcript
of Under Secretary Burns's press conference. It also included the
following comment on Under Secretary Burns's meeting with President
Bakiyev, which was not open to the press: "The United States highly
appreciates and supports Bakiyev's 'Bishkek Initiative' to hold
talks on Afghanistan regulation. This theme was discussed on
Saturday, June 11, in the State Residency during Bakiyev's talks
with Under Secretary Burns."
3. (SBU) On July 14, private, pro-governmental newspaper "MSN"
commented: "The militant rhetoric and lecturing tone gave way to a
carpet diplomacy. The edictal finger from overseas was changed to a
friendly smile and wish to compromise [...] In a word, we were told
once more that we are not playing our own game. The elders will
decide. But both Uncle Sam and big-hearted Russia have to consider
the opinion of Kyrgyzstan, a small country with a very tough
character."
4. (SBU) On July 14, the Kyrgyz insert of "Komsomolskaya Pravda"
wrote: "After the Kyrgyz President signed the Agreement on the
Transit Center on July 2, it became clear that a Renaissance in our
relations with the United States is coming, and signs of it were not
long in arriving. [...] Of course, the main topic of the talks was
the Transit Center."
5. (SBU) On July 15, anti-American "Delo Nomer" highlighted the
visit in light of rumors that the Russians plan to open a military
base in Osh, Kyrgyzstan: "Against expectations, the high-level U.S.
representative's attitude towards the intensification of the Russian
military presence in Kyrgyzstan was not just diplomatic, but even
favorable. 'Such steps to strengthen security and stability in the
country are sensible,' said William Burns. [Note: In actuality, the
Under Secretary said, "Any such decision is obviously the sovereign
right of the government of Kyrgyzstan. Our view is that any step
that strengthens the sovereignty and independence and security of
Kyrgyzstan is a sensible one. But as I said, any such decision is a
sovereign decision of the government here." End Note.] As for the
current symbol of the American military presence, the newborn
Transit Center, the U.S. Under Secretary promised Kyrgyzstan: 'The
work of the Center will be transparent, and the United States will
use best efforts on its part [to ensure transparency].'"
LITZENBERGER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyzstan: Media Reaction to Under Secretary Burns's
Visit
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The visit of Under Secretary Burns was widely
covered by local media. There was same-day television and internet
coverage which reported only the facts. Pro-governmental news
outlets, including the Kyrgyz Television and Radio Company (KTR)
spun the visit as an endorsement of President Bakiyev's "Bishkek
Initiative" on Afghanistan. End Summary.
2. (SBU) On July 13, "Vechernyi Bishkek" published a full transcript
of Under Secretary Burns's press conference. It also included the
following comment on Under Secretary Burns's meeting with President
Bakiyev, which was not open to the press: "The United States highly
appreciates and supports Bakiyev's 'Bishkek Initiative' to hold
talks on Afghanistan regulation. This theme was discussed on
Saturday, June 11, in the State Residency during Bakiyev's talks
with Under Secretary Burns."
3. (SBU) On July 14, private, pro-governmental newspaper "MSN"
commented: "The militant rhetoric and lecturing tone gave way to a
carpet diplomacy. The edictal finger from overseas was changed to a
friendly smile and wish to compromise [...] In a word, we were told
once more that we are not playing our own game. The elders will
decide. But both Uncle Sam and big-hearted Russia have to consider
the opinion of Kyrgyzstan, a small country with a very tough
character."
4. (SBU) On July 14, the Kyrgyz insert of "Komsomolskaya Pravda"
wrote: "After the Kyrgyz President signed the Agreement on the
Transit Center on July 2, it became clear that a Renaissance in our
relations with the United States is coming, and signs of it were not
long in arriving. [...] Of course, the main topic of the talks was
the Transit Center."
5. (SBU) On July 15, anti-American "Delo Nomer" highlighted the
visit in light of rumors that the Russians plan to open a military
base in Osh, Kyrgyzstan: "Against expectations, the high-level U.S.
representative's attitude towards the intensification of the Russian
military presence in Kyrgyzstan was not just diplomatic, but even
favorable. 'Such steps to strengthen security and stability in the
country are sensible,' said William Burns. [Note: In actuality, the
Under Secretary said, "Any such decision is obviously the sovereign
right of the government of Kyrgyzstan. Our view is that any step
that strengthens the sovereignty and independence and security of
Kyrgyzstan is a sensible one. But as I said, any such decision is a
sovereign decision of the government here." End Note.] As for the
current symbol of the American military presence, the newborn
Transit Center, the U.S. Under Secretary promised Kyrgyzstan: 'The
work of the Center will be transparent, and the United States will
use best efforts on its part [to ensure transparency].'"
LITZENBERGER