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DE RUEHCH #1257/01 3571312
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R 221312Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7458
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 001257 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/UMB, DRL/EA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM MD
SUBJECT: LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS RELIEVE PRESSURE ON PRO 
TV 
 
Sensitive But Unclassified.  Please Protect Accordingly. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  The Audiovisual Coordinating Council decided on 
December 19 to extend the broadcasting license of PRO TV and 11 
other media outlets to an undetermined date after the upcoming 
elections.  The decision recognized that any action taken against 
these media would be viewed as political action coloring the 
electoral campaign.  It is clear that this decision was taken in 
response to pressure from the international community, and 
demonstrates that Moldovan authorities do value their country's 
reputation in the West.  End summary. 
 
PRO TV and other Licenses Good Until After Elections 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) The nine-member Audiovisual Coordinating Council of Moldova 
met in a public session on December 19, 2008, to discuss the issue 
of extension of frequency-broadcasting licenses for 12 broadcasters 
beyond the licenses' expiration.  Although these broadcasters were 
mostly radio, PRO TV was among them.  At the start of the session, 
Corneliu Mihalache, a Council member, proposed that the broadcasters 
listed be allowed to continue operating beyond the imminent 
expiration of their licenses to sometime afer the upcoming 
parliamentary elections.  Mihalace said the action was necessary in 
order to avoi the public portrayal of the ACC as a politically 
driven regulatory body and to prevent damage to Mldova's 
international image, especially in view f the upcoming 
parliamentary elections. 
 
¶2. (SB) Council Chairman Gheorghe Gorincioi then put thefollowing 
two-part proposal to a vote of the Coucil:  allow all 12 
broadcasters to function pasttheir license expiration deadlines; 
and place a oratorium on competition for the frequencies of the 
listed broadcasters until sometime after the eletions (expected in 
March or April 2009).  With n discussion, both parts of the 
proposal were adopted by a vote of eight votes in favor and one 
abstention. 
 
Threat to Withdraw License Provoked Outcry 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Audiovisual Council's decision must be understood 
against the background of events and actions since December 11, when 
the Council sent a letter to PRO TV, the only remaining major 
independent television broadcaster in the country, informing it that 
its license would not be extended.  As soon as the ACC letter was 
made public, there was an immediate outcry, both locally and from 
the international community.  Numerous opposition parties condemned 
the ACC position as a politically motivated attempt to silence a 
major independent media outlet on the eve of the upcoming elections. 
 There were also some spontaneous demonstrations in support of PRO 
TV and against the ACC's publicly expressed position. 
¶4. (SBU) On December 12, Council Chairman Gorincioi held a press 
conference during which he backtracked from the position specified 
in the letter, stating that PRO TV and other stations whose licenses 
expire would have to go through a competition for their frequencies. 
 Later, speaking on a Pro TV program, Gorincioi said he wanted PRO 
TV to continue broadcasting unhindered. 
¶5. (SBU) Meanwhile, there was an international outcry regarding the 
PRO TV case.  The EU Commissioner for External Relations and the 
European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in a statement 
on December 12, expressed concern about the ACC position, saying it 
was "important that the Moldovan authorities respect their 
international commitments in the field of democracy and human 
rights, and media freedom, especially in the run-up to the spring 
2009 parliamentary elections." 
¶6. (SBU) Kalman Miszei, EU Special Representative, met President 
Voronin on December 18 and delivered a personal message from Xavier 
Solana, who is responsible for EU Foreign Affairs.  (Note:  A source 
said the President had responded that he did not interfere in the 
ACC's affairs, but that he would not object if the ACC decided to 
place a moratorium on the frequency competition.  End note.)  The 
U.S. Embassy and other Missions requested a meeting with President 
Voronin to discuss concerns regarding free media.  The note 
requesting the meeting was leaked and published in Moldovan media. 
In the end, all the noise and pressure seems to have worked, 
culminating in the ACC decision mentioned above. 
 
Comment:  Squeaky Wheels Receive Attention 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment:  Though it remains to be seen what happens after 
the elections, the immediate pressure on PRO TV has been lifted. 
This story demonstrates the extent to which Moldovan authorities 
value their country's reputation in the West, and the speed with 
which positive course-corrections can be made.  The story also 
demonstrates to civil society and the Euro-Atlantic community in 
Chisinau the importance of vigilance, and quick and united action, 
 
CHISINAU 00001257  002 OF 002 
 
 
in the face of threats to freedom of information. 
 
CHAUDHRY