CAMBODIAN MEDIA REACTION TO THE SECRETARY'S LOWER MEKONG

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000519 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/PD, EAP/MLS FOR ADAM WEST E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPAO SUBJECT: CAMBODIAN MEDIA REACTION TO THE SECRETARY'S LOWER MEKONG MEETING ¶1. SUMMARY: All print and broadcast media outlets in Cambodia covered the Lower Mekong Ministerial of July 23 hosted by the Secretary and the Foreign Ministers from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The articles and television segments were overwhelmingly positive and highlighted the Secretary's proposal to hold such a meeting annually. END SUMMARY ¶2. Over the weekend all major media outlets in Phnom Penh covered the Lower Mekong Ministerial. One of the top dailies carried a front page photo of the Secretary and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong above the fold followed by the Ministerial Fact Sheet which was issued by PA Washington following the meeting. The fact sheet was printed in its entirety along with portions of the joint press statement. Both of the documents were issued as press releases by Embassy PA and posted on the website on the morning of the July 24. The remaining papers carried the same photo and fact sheet but did not feature them as prominently. ¶3. In order to capitalize on the positive coverage generated by the Ministerial the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also took out a quarter page advertisement in Sunday's copy of the country's top newspaper "Rasmei Kampuchea". The advertisement highlighted the Ministerial and detailed the topics of discussion including the proposed annual meeting, a partnership between the Mekong and Mississippi river commissions and regional environmental concerns. RODLEY