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DE RUEHAH #0320/01 0701152
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FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000320 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP, ECA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT:  TURKMENISTAN:  MEDIA REACTION ON FEBRUARY POST EVENTS 
 
¶1.  (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for public Internet. 
 
¶2.  (U) SUMMARY:  In February, media provided generally accurate 
coverage of Post-conducted events.  Embassy press releases played a 
large role in shaping the stories carried in state and non-state 
media.  While one TV news program omitted any mention of USAID's 
role in opening a new program, other state outlets provided clear 
and accurate information about USAID's role.  Other stories were 
favorable and accurate, including a U.S. outlet's coverage of 
Turkmen FLEX exchange students currently in the United States.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT OPENING OF THE IFRS TRAINING CENTER 
 
¶3.  (U) On February 14, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan 
Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and 
English), the state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, 
circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091), all drew 
on the Embassy's press release, when they accurately highlighted the 
IFRS training center opening at Turkmenistan's Supreme Council of 
Science and Technology, as part of USAID's EREC (Economic Reforms to 
Enhance Competitiveness) Project.  The article praised the 
importance and role of the center in developing international 
financial reporting in Turkmenistan.  The story correctly quoted the 
Charge, who emphasized the significance of the center for 
Turkmenistan's educational policy and its further integration into 
the global economy.  The same day, Azeri news agency "Trend" 
(Russian, English) referred to the Embassy press release, in a 
similar article on the event. 
 
¶4.  (U) On February 13, "Watan" TV evening news program (Turkmen) 
highlighted the center opening, and credited the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Supreme Council of Science and Technology.  The report 
made no mention of USAID or U.S. assistance.  However, the following 
day, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, English, Chinese, 
Arabian, Persian, French) gave an accurate but brief report on the 
opening in its hourly news.  The same TV channel provided a 
lengthier, and accurate piece which it broadcast on February 16. 
The story used interview remarks by the Charge, USAID Country 
Director and the EREC Regional Coordinator, and a representative 
from the state Higher Education Institute.  (NOTE: All State TV 
stations received the Embassy press release, but only "Turkmenistan" 
TV channel used it in their reports.  END NOTE.) 
 
STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN TURKMENISTAN 
 
¶5.  (U) On February 25, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan 
Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) 
and state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 
46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) posted an 
accurate article on Black History Month (BHM) events in 
Turkmenistan.  The article featured historical facts on BHM 
celebrations in the United States and highlighted Embassy-conducted 
presentations on the occasion.  (NOTE: The article was based on 
Post-provided resources.  END NOTE.) 
 
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT POTUS MESSAGE TO TURKMEN PRESIDENT 
 
¶6.  (U) On February 1, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan 
Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) 
posted President Obama's message to the Turkmen leader, thanking his 
counterpart for his congratulations on winning the U.S. presidential 
elections.  The same day, the "Watan" TV evening news program 
(Turkmen) and Russian news agency "RIA Novosti" accurately carried 
the same message.  The following day, state-run dailies "Neytralniy 
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, 
circ. 36,091) on their front pages, pro-government website 
"Turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English), Washington based "ISRIA" 
(English), Azeri news agency "Trend" (Russian, English), and 
"Fergana.ru" (Russian) accurately reprinted the message in full. 
 
AZERI NEWS AGENCY PICKS UP EMBASSY PRESS RELASES 
 
¶7. (U) On February 3, Azeri news agency "Trend" (English), posted 
 
ASHGABAT 00000320  002 OF 002 
 
 
accurate story on USAID-funded Potential Project workshop on 
combating drug addiction and HIV prevention in Turkmenistan using 
the pos-issued press release. 
 
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT U.S. LECTURERS' VISIT 
 
¶8.  (U) In mid-February, two professors from the College of 
Agriculture at the University of Nevada visited Turkmenistan for ten 
days to conduct lectures at Turkmenistan's University of 
Agriculture.  On February 10, the Government-run website 
"Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, 
Russian and English), state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" 
(Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) 
introduced the visit on their front pages.  On February 26, the 
RFE/RL Turkmen language broadcast carried a generally accurate 
interview with the professors, highlighting the goal of the visit 
and prospects for future student exchanges and cooperation. 
 
U.S. WEBSITE AND STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT EDUCATION EXCHANGES 
 
¶9. (U) On January 30, www.carlislemosquito.com posted an accurate 
and long article about two FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program 
students from Turkmenistan.  The article praised the State 
Department exchange program and stressed its value and importance. 
The students actively took part in campaigning for Obama and in 
other community events. 
 
¶10.  (U) On January 30, the government-run website "Turkmenistan 
Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) 
ran an accurate and long article on a Turkmen educational 
delegation's participation in an international conference on 
educational reforms at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University 
in late January.  The following day, state-run dailies "Neytralniy 
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, 
circ. 36,091) carried the content in full. 
 
STATE TV CARRIES CHARGE'S CONGRATULATION MESSAGE 
 
¶11.  (U) On February 14, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, 
Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) accurately 
carried the Charge's congratulatory message on the second 
anniversary of President Berdymuhamedov's inauguration.  The program 
emphasized the growing American-Turkmen relationship and praised the 
reform policy of Turkmenistan.  On February 17, "Altyn Asyr" TV 
channel (Turkmen) rebroadcast the same coverage. 
 
¶12.  (SBU) COMMENT:  Other than Watan's omission of any USAID role 
in the opening of the IFRS training center, state media coverage was 
generally accurate and favorable to Embassy programs.  However, this 
omission may reflect a slowly growing divergence between the content 
and editorial decisions made on the still very similar state TV 
channels.  Separately, the Embassy has found that press releases 
have continued to help shape accurate reporting in state media and 
other media outlets.  END COMMENT. 
 
MILES