Uzbekistan: Media Reaction to DAS Krol's Visit to Tashkent

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 002110

SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/PPD, SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: Media Reaction to DAS Krol's Visit to Tashkent


1. (U) Summary: Local media reports on DAS Krol's visit to
Uzbekistan were found only online. Of these, only two were by state
media outlets. State media reported on the visit in the context of
the adoption of the Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABCs). Such
reports were neutral in tone. Independent media brought greater and
more varied attention to the visit. End Summary.

Media Reports on Visit Limited to Internet


2. (U) Media reports on DAS Krol's visit to Uzbekistan were limited
to the internet. No print or television media carried stories on
the visit. No radio reports on the visit were heard by Embassy
staff.

State Media Focus on Announcement of First ABC


3. (U) Among state media outlets, only two published articles on
the visit (Gazeta.uz and 12.uz). Both of the websites focused on
the announcement which took place during the visit regarding
Uzbekistan's acceptance of the U.S. proposal to send a delegation
to D.C. as the first step in the Annual Bilateral Consultations
(ABC). 12.uz quoted verbatim the Embassy's statement to the press
regarding the ABCs. Both media outlets reported on the ABCs in a
factual manner, with no commentary.


4. (U) In addition to reporting on the ABCs, both Gazeta.uz and
12.uz briefly outlined DAS Krol's meetings with government
officials. Gazeta.uz described the meetings as productive. 12.uz
also reported that DAS Krol "expressed hope" that a U.S. president
could visit Uzbekistan. (Note: the statement overstates DAS Krol's
response to a reporter's question at an Embassy organized
discussion with local media, the monthly "Press Gap." End Note)

Independent Media Sources


5. (U) Independent media sources also reported on DAS Krol's visit
in connection with the continuing discussion on the ABCs. However,
independent media reports on the visit were more diverse in their
coverage of the visit. Specifically, such reports focused on
Afghanistan, the Northern Distribution Network (NDN),human rights,
hydrocarbons, and the ABCs.

Uzbekistan's Contribution to Efforts in Afghanistan


6. (U) Several independent media outlets reported that DAS Krol
highly assessed Uzbekistan's contribution to the efforts in
Afghanistan. Ferghana.ru quoted DAS Krol as saying that the U.S.
"value(s) the advice and contribution provided by Uzbekistan, to
(the) resolution of (the) Afghan issue." Both Uzmetronom.com and
Ferghana.ru noted that DAS Krol emphasized that Kabul was powered
by electricity imported from Uzbekistan.

Reports on Question of Potential Military Cooperation


7. (U) Several media outlets noted that DAS Krol's visit did not
include discussion of U.S.-Uzbekistan military cooperation,
including inter alia a U.S. base in Uzbekistan. Some reports
further suggested that such cooperation is not planned. Uznews.com
and Uzmetronom.com reported that there had been no talks on the
return of U.S. troops to the K2 base. UzNews.net reported that the
U.S. government "does not plan to restore military cooperation with
Uzbekistan." (Note: This slightly mischaracterizes DAS Krol's
comment at the Press Gap that the U.S. "is not planning" currently
to restore military cooperation in the form of a military base. End
Note.)

Commercial and Non-Lethal Nature of NDN


8. (U) Independent media outlets also discussed the NDN in
connection with DAS Krol's visit. Several noted that the NDN served
to transport only non-lethal goods to Afghanistan. Two websites
stated that DAS Krol was "unable" to specify the monetary value of
the NDN. (Note: DAS Krol was asked twice during the Press Gap how
much money the U.S. paid for the NDN. DAS Krol responded that
decisions regarding shipments were made on a commercial basis. End
Note.)

Valuing but not Imposing Human Rights


9. (U) Independent media outlets also reported on Krol's comments
regarding the role of human rights in the U.S.-Uzbekistan
relationship. Ferghana.ru said that human rights issues were
discussed in DAS Krol's meetings with his counterparts, but that
the U.S. does not aim to impose its own values on other countries.

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Uzmetronom.com similarly noted that the U.S. would always pay
attention to human rights but that it would not impose its
principles on other countries. Uznews.net erroneously quoted DAS
Krol as saying that the issue of human rights "had always been the
most import(ant) issue" in U.S. relations with any country,
including Uzbekistan.

Development of Unofficial U.S.-Uzbekistan Relationship


10. (U) DAS Krol's emphasis on the need to develop Uzbekistan-U.S.
relations in non-official spheres was also highlighted by
independent media. Ferghana.ru reported that the U.S. wants to
improve Uzbekistan-U.S. relations not only on a governmental level,
but also in areas such as business, healthcare, and education, and
through exchanges of opinion and information. UzNews.net noted that
Krol believes the development of independent media in Uzbekistan is
also part of the bilateral dialogue.

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