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P 221004Z JAN 09
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000063 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR RFE/RL WITH STATE TV 
DIRECTOR 
 
BISHKEK 00000063  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 21, Ambassador Gfoeller met with KTR 
Director Melis Eshimkanov to advocate for RFE/RL and to discuss the 
stalemate in negotiations to get RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service, Azattyk, 
back on the air.  While Eshimkanov reiterated complaints about the 
content of Azattyk programming, he indicated that he was still open 
to negotiations with RFE/RL.  He suggested ways in which the Embassy 
could lobby for RFE/RL programming. End Summary. 
 
ESHIMKANOV AIRS COMPLAINTS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Eshimkanov was cordial toward the Ambassador but indicated 
that he would like a written apology from IBB contracting officer 
Cherelynn Peters for her December 11 letter to him, which he found 
offensive.  He said he was also unhappy about RFE/RL's public 
comments accusing him of censorship, which he denies. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Eshimkanov said that he recently reported to RFE/RL in 
Prague three Azattyk broadcasts that he found offensive and 
unethical.  He said that under Kyrgyz law, KTR still has legal 
responsibility for the content of RFE/RL programming and he 
requested RFE/RL to find a way to take responsibility under Kyrgyz 
law.  He also said that he had requested RFE/RL Prague to fire 
Azattyk Director Kubat Otorbaev because he believes Otorbaev lacks 
the judgment to produce balanced content. 
 
¶4. (SBU) One of Eshimkanov's complaints involved a "violation of 
journalist ethics" that allegedly took place in the KTR studio where 
Azattyk films its youth-oriented program "Azattyk Plus."  Eshimkanov 
said that while filming, Azattyk shut off the lights, lit candles, 
and said on the air, "We don't have electricity in Kyrgyzstan. 
There is no electricity at KTR."  He cited other examples of 
broadcasts he found offensive, including, for example, when 
opposition leaders say controversial things on Azattyk about 
government officials.  He said, "Maybe this is allowed in the United 
States, but this is not public television.  The President gets very 
upset when they say bad things about him on his own channel." 
 
¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Gfoeller advocated forcefully for RFE/RL and 
reminded Eshimkanov that the Kyrgyz Republic has historically 
distinguished itself from neighboring countries as having the 
"freest press in Central Asia."  She said that the problems between 
KTR and RFE/RL threaten to tarnish the image of the Kyrgyz Republic 
as a bastion of free expression.  Eshimkanov agreed and said he did 
not think that a Karimov-type regime is suited to the Kyrgyz 
people. 
 
ESHIMKANOV'S SUGGESTIONS 
------------------------ 
 
¶6. (SBU) Eshimkanov indicated that he would be more comfortable 
signing an agreement if the Ambassador wins the support of President 
Bakiyev.  Eshimkanov indicated that the President's new 
Chief-of-Staff, Daniyar Usenov, may be more supportive of Azattyk 
than the old Chief-of-Staff, Medet Sadyrkulov.  Eshimkanov also 
suggested that the Ambassador meet with Oksana Malevannaya, the new 
Chief of the Secretariat under the President (responsible for the 
Protocol and Press Service). 
 
NEXT STEPS 
---------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Post recommends that IBB contracting officer Cherelynn 
Peters write an apology letter to Eshimkanov.  Ambassador Gfoeller 
will request a meeting with President Bakiyev, and will meet with 
the new Chief of the Secretariat under the President.  Post, RFE/RL, 
and IBB will brainstorm ways to reassure KTR about the content of 
Azattyk.  Some preliminary ideas include studying the Kyrgyz Law on 
TV and Radio Broadcasting to find a way to relieve KTR of legal 
responsibility for content and providing stronger guarantees to KTR 
on content (such as stronger language in the contract giving IBB 
 
BISHKEK 00000063  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
responsibility for content or on-air disclaimers). 
 
GFOELLER