Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL3442
2009-10-27 14:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
PRESSING AFGHANS ON VOA MEDIUM-WAVE TRANSMITTING STATION IN
how-toVZCZCXRO1329 OO RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHBUL #3442 3001445 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271445Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2516 RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 003442
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SRAP, SCA/FRONT OFFICE, SCA/A, AND SCA/PPD
PASS TO BBG
E.O. 12958 DECL: 10/27/2019
TAGS: ECPS OIIP PROP BBG ECIN PREL PK AF
SUBJECT: PRESSING AFGHANS ON VOA MEDIUM-WAVE TRANSMITTING STATION IN
KHOST
REF: STATE 58063
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 003442
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SRAP, SCA/FRONT OFFICE, SCA/A, AND SCA/PPD
PASS TO BBG
E.O. 12958 DECL: 10/27/2019
TAGS: ECPS OIIP PROP BBG ECIN PREL PK AF
SUBJECT: PRESSING AFGHANS ON VOA MEDIUM-WAVE TRANSMITTING STATION IN
KHOST
REF: STATE 58063
1. (SBU) In a meeting on October 26, Deputy Ambassador Ricciardone
pressed Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta again to urge Minister of
Culture and Information Khorram to allow the final construction and
operation of a medium-wave transmitting station in Khost. Once
operational, the tower, operated by the Broadcast Board of Governors
(BBG) would have ample reach to transmit Voice of America (VOA) and
other radio programs into Pakistan. Recalling Secretary Clinton's
recent warm telephone call with President Karzai, Ricciardone noted
the Secretary's role as ex officio chair of the BBG. Ricciardone
explained that the MOIC has not responded to our June 28 dipnote
request to approve the final work, despite our having twice raised it
since June with the MFA Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Siddiq. He
also reminded Spanta that SRAP Holbrooke had raised the issue with
President Karzai and Spanta on August 21.
2. (C) Minister Spanta said he would raise the issue October 27 with
Minister Khorram, but he expected that Khorram -- "a stubborn
ideologue" -- would prove difficult as ever. Spanta pledged this
time, however, to lobby President Karzai to order Minister Khorram to
relent, if Spanta on his own proved unable to persuade Khorram.
EIKENBERRY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SRAP, SCA/FRONT OFFICE, SCA/A, AND SCA/PPD
PASS TO BBG
E.O. 12958 DECL: 10/27/2019
TAGS: ECPS OIIP PROP BBG ECIN PREL PK AF
SUBJECT: PRESSING AFGHANS ON VOA MEDIUM-WAVE TRANSMITTING STATION IN
KHOST
REF: STATE 58063
1. (SBU) In a meeting on October 26, Deputy Ambassador Ricciardone
pressed Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta again to urge Minister of
Culture and Information Khorram to allow the final construction and
operation of a medium-wave transmitting station in Khost. Once
operational, the tower, operated by the Broadcast Board of Governors
(BBG) would have ample reach to transmit Voice of America (VOA) and
other radio programs into Pakistan. Recalling Secretary Clinton's
recent warm telephone call with President Karzai, Ricciardone noted
the Secretary's role as ex officio chair of the BBG. Ricciardone
explained that the MOIC has not responded to our June 28 dipnote
request to approve the final work, despite our having twice raised it
since June with the MFA Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Siddiq. He
also reminded Spanta that SRAP Holbrooke had raised the issue with
President Karzai and Spanta on August 21.
2. (C) Minister Spanta said he would raise the issue October 27 with
Minister Khorram, but he expected that Khorram -- "a stubborn
ideologue" -- would prove difficult as ever. Spanta pledged this
time, however, to lobby President Karzai to order Minister Khorram to
relent, if Spanta on his own proved unable to persuade Khorram.
EIKENBERRY