VZCZCXRO2477
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ
RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #0925/01 2031233
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211233Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1198
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1869
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4052
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1736
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2305
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2712
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000925 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT:  TURKMENISTAN:  DELUGE OF ACCURATE STATE MEDIA COVERAGE OF 
U.S. ACTIVITIES IN JUNE AND EARLY JULY. 
 
¶1.  (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for public Internet. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  During the 46 day period between June 1 and July 
16, 2008, there were no less than 27 stories - all favorable -- 
broadcast or printed in Turkmenistan's state news media on the U.S. 
Embassy, its visitors, or programs.  This period included state 
media coverage of the departing Charge d'Affaires, a variety of 
cultural programs, USAID activity in Turkmenistan, an 
Embassy-sponsored Educational Fair, the visit of USTDA's Dan Stein, 
and an exploration of the broader bilateral relationship.  The high 
frequency and accuracy of favorable stories about the United States 
would have been impossible to imagine prior to reforms instituted 
under President Berdimuhamedov.  END SUMMARY. 
 
STATE MEDIA COVER TURKMEN PRESIDENT'S MEETING WITH U.S. CHARGE 
D'AFFAIRES TO TURKMENISTAN 
 
¶3.  (SBU) On June 30, the "Watan" TV evening news program gave broad 
and generally accurate coverage of the farewell meeting between 
President of Turkmenistan and departing U.S. Charge D'Affaires, 
Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland.  The program emphasized both sides' 
satisfaction with open and constructive intergovernmental dialogue. 
President Berdimuhamedov noted the significance of present 
Turkmen-American cooperation at a new stage with new dynamics. 
Despite placing too much emphasis on the Charge's comments about new 
construction in Ashgabat, the program accurately reported discussion 
of the importance of developing effective partnership in the spheres 
of trade, energy, agriculture, education and healthcare.  Similar 
reports on the following day appeared on the front pages of the 
state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 44,791) 
and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 33,391).  On the same day, "Owaz" 
International Radio broadcast (Turkmen) accurately reported the 
meeting; and pro-government website "TURKMENISTAN.RU" (Russian, 
English) carried a similar article.  (NOTE:  Information in print 
outlets, radio and on websites were based on June 30 "Watan" TV news 
program material.  END NOTE.) 
 
STATE TV COVERAGE OF PRESS-CONFERENCE WITH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES TO 
TURKMENISTAN 
 
¶4.  (U) On July 3, the "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, 
English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) accurately highlighted a 
farewell press-conference with Charge Hoagland, which had originally 
taken place on June 30.  The broadcast emphasized the importance of 
Turkmenistan's international cooperation with foreign countries and 
organizations.  It also noted the "farewell" meeting of Charge 
d'Affaires with President Berdymuhamedov and that the 
press-conference had been held the same day.  The program included 
accurate translations of remarks by the Deputy Chief of Mission and 
Public Affairs Officer thanking the Charge for his contributions 
during the last year. 
 
STATE TV CHANNELS COVER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY CONCERT 
 
¶5.  (U) On June 1, "Yashlyk" TV channel (Turkmen) evening program 
carried accurate coverage of the post-organized concert in honor of 
International Children's Protection Day, held the same day.  On June 
2nd, "Altyn Asyr" state TV channel carried accurate coverage of the 
concert with interview remarks by U.S. Embassy officials included. 
On June 3, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, English, 
Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) accurately carried a 15-minute 
piece on the concert, which also contained interviews.  The coverage 
by all three state TV channels included a rare and accurate mention 
of the Embassy's donation of musical instruments to various Turkmen 
schools and an orphanage.  (NOTE: Admission of donations or 
assistance has been virtually taboo in state-controlled media.  END 
NOTE.) 
 
MEDIA COVERAGE OF VISITING USAID REGIONAL DIRECTOR 
 
¶6.  (U) On July 13, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, 
English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) carried a generally 
 
ASHGABAT 00000925  002 OF 003 
 
 
accurate 20 minute program, which featured an interview by USAID 
Regional Director, William M. Frej.  The program emphasized 
Turkmenistan's mutually beneficial cooperation with international 
organizations and generally focused on USAID activities in the 
country for the past 15 years.  The interview gave a broad picture 
of USAID's work in agriculture, economic reforms, education, and 
healthcare in Turkmenistan. 
 
MEDIA COVERAGE OF ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL FAIR 
 
¶7.  (U) On July 16, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, 
English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) carried a thorough and 
accurate story on an Educational Fair supported by the U.S. Embassy. 
 The event mainly focused on the educational and research 
opportunities in the United States, but also featured 
representatives of the UK and Indian Embassies who promoted similar 
programs to their countries.  The broadcast showed the broad 
enthusiasm among Turkmen youth interested in studying abroad.  An 
accurate article about the Educational Fair appeared in the 
state-run daily "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" on July 14, which provided 
significant detail about many of the available opportunities. 
(NOTE: Coverage in state media exceeded coverage of the same event 
last year.  END NOTE.) 
 
POSITIVE COVERAGE OF USTDA DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN 
 
¶8.  (U) On July 16, the "Watan" TV evening news program reported on 
the visit of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director 
for Europe and Eurasia, Daniel Stein, and his meetings.  The 
following day, on July 17, "Watan" accurately carried coverage of 
Stein's meetings at different ministries and agencies, and 
emphasized the constructive nature of his visit, as well as the 
prospects for further bilateral cooperation.  The same day, based on 
the "Watan" TV news stories, state-run daily "Neytralniy 
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 44,791) printed a short article by 
Turkmen State News Service (TDH) about the USTDA visit.  Russian 
news agency "RIA Oreanda" also carried a similar article. 
 
STATE TV COVERS AMERICAN CULTURE DAYS IN TURKMENISTAN 
 
¶9.  (U) On July 2, the "Watan" TV news program accurately reported 
on "American Culture Days" held in connection with U.S. Independence 
Day.  The report fully described the visiting performing groups and 
their events organized by post.  On July 8, "Turkmenistan" TV 
channel (Russian, Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, 
French) carried accurate coverage of a joint concert by a U.S. Air 
Force band and a Turkmen Ministry of Defense musical group in 
celebration of U.S. Independence Day.  The program highlighted the 
active interaction of the two military musical groups  and that they 
performed each others' national music.  It also included images of 
uniformed personnel from both sides performing and warmly 
interacting.  On July 9, the same TV channel covered another 
cultural program: the appearance of visiting Native Nations Dance 
Troupe and Albuquerque's "Red Ryder."  Both broadcasts included 
interview remarks by performers, who emphasized the value of 
increasing Turkmen-American friendship.  On July 14, the Watan" TV 
news program carried accurate coverage of the Native Nations Dance 
Troupe's performances in four cities outside of the capital within 
the "American Culture Days" program. 
 
AMERICAN CULTURE DAYS IN THE STATE PRINT OUTLETS 
 
¶10.  (U) On July 3, the state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" 
(Russian, circ. 44,791) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 33,391) 
carried an article on "American Culture Days" by the Turkmen State 
News Service (TDH).  The article introduced the performing groups 
and highlighted their planned performances.  On July 5, the 
state-run daily "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 44,791) 
ran an article on the U.S. Air Force Band's joint performance with 
Turkmenistan's military band.  The article called the performers, 
"musical diplomats," supporting the principles of peace and 
friendship.  On July 8, the state newspaper "Watan" (Turkmen, circ. 
30,091) ran a similar article highlighting performances by both the 
 
ASHGABAT 00000925  003 OF 003 
 
 
Air Force Rock Band and the Native Nations Group.  On July 10 and 
16, state-run daily "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 
44,791) carried similar articles about Native Nations Group and the 
"Red Ryder's" performances at various places, including in the 
provinces. 
 
STATE MEDIA INTEREST IN BROADER BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP 
 
¶11.  (U) On July 11, the state newspaper "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" 
(Russian, circ. 44,791) ran a lengthy article on Turkmen-American 
mutual understanding.  This article was based largely on an 
interview with the Embassy's Public Affairs Officer, who gave an 
overview of U.S.-Turkmen relations, exchange programs and other 
programs of interest to the public.  The author also highlighted 
"American Culture Days" in Turkmenistan, as a key example of a 
vigorous bilateral relationship. 
 
¶12.  (SBU) In addition, a TV journalist from the "Turkmenistan" 
Channel has been working for weeks on a broader documentary on the 
U.S.-Turkmen bilateral relationship, especially as it has developed 
in the last year and a half under President Berdimuhamedov.  He has 
already conducted interviews with Public Affairs staff, USAID 
representatives, and attended the "farewell" press conference for 
Charge d'Affaires Hoagland.  He recently offered to work with Public 
Affairs to check for inaccuracies as his documentary develops.  This 
is unprecedented. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) COMMENT:  Turkmenistan's state-controlled news media are 
still firmly under the control of the government and still support 
official policy.  And all U.S. coverage is placed in the context of 
the country's successful foreign policy under President 
Berdimuhamedov.  It is likely that increasing coverage and interest 
in U.S. Embassy events is due to directions given from above. 
However, PAS has observed the increasing self-initiative and 
openness of individual journalists who have reached out to the 
Embassy informally.  The expanding coverage reflects a continuing 
positive trend with regard to official Turkmen opinion of our 
bilateral relationship.  The continual exposure to U.S. programs and 
events in Turkmenistan is reaching Turkmen audiences on an 
increasingly frequent basis, providing useful and accurate 
information, as well as developing a positive image of the United 
States in a country known for its lack of access to information. 
END COMMENT. 
 
CURRAN