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Viewing cable 05YEREVAN2094, ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. RESPONSE TO
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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05YEREVAN2094 | 2005-12-01 09:07 | 2011-08-30 01:44 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Yerevan |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
010907Z Dec 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002094
SIPDIS
EUR/PPD-CFITZGERALD, JBASEDOW, EUR/CACEN-JDEHART, KWITMER
E.O. 12958; N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC KPAO AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. RESPONSE TO
REFERENDUM
SUMMARY
-------
¶1. U.S. Embassy Yerevan posted a response to Armenia's
November 27 constitutional referendum on its website based
upon cleared press guidance from the Department. The
response received extensive coverage in the Armenian press.
Reports varied, with some outlets presenting the response as
questioning the legitimacy of the referendum results, some
portraying the response as less critical of the results, and
one outlet calling the response "balanced." One pro-
government newspaper quoted the GOAM press secretary as
complaining that the U.S. response was "incorrect" in that
the Central Election Commission (CEC), not the GOAM, reports
voter turnout figures. END SUMMARY.
SOME SOURCES PRESENT RESPONSE AS QUESTIONING THE RESULTS...
--------------------------------------------- --------------
¶2. Some media outlets presented the U.S. response as
questioning the legitimacy of the results of the referendum.
"Armenia Liberty," RFE/RL's Armenian Service, published an
article on its website entitled "U.S. Echoes Questions About
Armenian Poll Result." The article states, "The United
States joined European observers on Tuesday in raising
serious questions about the credibility of the official
results of Armenia's weekend constitutional referendum..."
The article quotes the U.S. response as saying, "We share
the regret of the Council of Europe, whose observers called
into serious question the voter turnout figures for the
referendum reported by the Armenian Government." RFE/RL's
main website drew a similar conclusion about the text. The
article states, "The U.S. State Department's Bureau of
Europe and Eurasian Affairs expressed similar concerns [to
those of the Council of Europe] in a statement released on
29 November. The statement, which was posted on the website
of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, calls upon the Armenian
government 'to investigate Council of Europe observer
reports of serious abuses and fraud.'"
...WHILE OTHERS PORTRAY IT AS LESS CRITICAL OF THE VOTE
--------------------------------------------- -----------
¶3. Other media outlets presented the U.S. response as less
critical of the referendum results. Azg, a center-right
daily, stated, "The constitutional amendments are supported
by European organizations as well as the U.S. This must be
the reason why the West, the advocate of democratic values,
closed its eyes to flagrant falsifications of the November
27 vote." "Mediamax," an independent news agency that is
considered pro-government, published the full text of the
U.S. response with the subtitle, "U.S. recognizes the
substance of the provisions considered by the referendum as
potentially strengthening democratic institutions in
Armenia."
NEWSPAPER CALLS REACTION "BALANCED" BUT REMAINS CRITICAL
--------------------------------------------- -----------
¶4. "Haykakan Zhamanak," a tabloid daily, published an
article stating, "It can be said that the State Department's
statement was 'balanced,' as was the statement of the
Council of Europe monitors: three items refer to violations
committed during the voting, and three note the bright
future that will be realized as a result of collaboration
with President Kocharian." The newspaper, however, remained
critical of the United States and the Council of Europe for
supporting the amendments. The article states, "But as it
has already been mentioned, western countries with objective
reasons have given up on the opposition, and thus are
condemned to collaborating with President Kocharian. This
is the only explanation for why the United States and the
Council of Europe have stated that they cannot evaluate the
results of the referendum until it is clear how many people
voted. Instead, they are talking about the 2007-2008
elections and international standards. This means that if
the Armenian people tolerate the results of this
collaboration between the West and President Kocharian, the
same situation will be repeated during the 2007-2008
elections, and this collaboration might continue
indefinitely."
"HAYOTS ASHKHAR" NOTES CEC, NOT GOAM, ANNOUNCES TURNOUT
--------------------------------------------- -----------
¶5. "Hayots Ashkhar," a pro-government daily, quoted the
Government of Armenia press secretary as complaining that,
according to Armenian law, voter turnout is determined by
the CEC, not the GOAM as the U.S. Embassy text stated. The
article says that, according to the press secretary, the
GOAM and the CEC are different state bodies and the
government is not authorized to publicize the results of the
referendum. (Note: Members of the CEC are government
employees and their salaries are paid from the state budget.
The U.S. Embassy added a footnote to its response stating,
"Specifically, the Armenian Central Election Commission
reports voter turnout figures for the referendum." End
Note.)
EVANS