VZCZCXRO3134
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #0851/01 1881130
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071130Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3103
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3133
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5405
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2998
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3649
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3697
RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000851 
 
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 JUNE POST EVENTS 
 
¶1.  (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for public Internet. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  June saw media provide generally accurate and 
favorable coverage of U.S. government and post conducted events in 
Turkmenistan.  The U.S. Department of Energy-organized workshop on 
pipeline integrity and management held June 10-11 received large 
accurate state and international media coverage.  USAID projects in 
Turkmenistan also received accurate and timely coverage with sources 
mostly referring to Post-issued press releases.  The Turkmen edition 
of Turkish newspaper "Zaman" carried a message of congratulations 
from the Charge d'affaires on the occasion of the President of 
Turkmenistan's birthday.  Media also largely highlighted the 
official visit of Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, 
to the United States.  At the end of month, interview remarks by a 
U.S. embassy intern at the International Exhibition of World Art 
Masterpieces were carried on state media.  END SUMMARY. 
 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY-ORGANIZED WORKSHOP RECEIVES WIDE MEDIA 
COVERAGE 
 
¶3.  (U) On June 10, pro-government website "Turkmenistan.ru" 
(Russian, English) accurately reported in brief on the pipeline 
workshop, drawing from Post-issued press release material.  On the 
next day, it posted another article on the event carrying accurate 
interview remarks made by U.S. Department of Energy Department for 
Russian and Eurasian Issues Deputy Director Meryl Burpoe.  On June 
10, the government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" 
(www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) posted an 
interview article on the event, which also included accurate remarks 
by Meryl Burpoe.  The interview stressed the willingness of U.S. 
companies to cooperate with Turkmenistan in diversification of its 
energy exports.  The same article appeared on front pages of 
state-run dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 47,091) and 
"Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) the next day.  The dailies 
also ran separate articles on the event, and carried accurate 
opening remarks by U.S. Charge d'Affaires Richard Miles.  "Watan" TV 
evening news program's (Turkmen) June 11 broadcast also highlighted 
the event with a similar story run by state dailies, also including 
an accurate interview with Burpoe. 
 
¶4. (U) On June 12, state-run dailies "Neutral Turkmenistan" and 
"Turkmenistan" carried an accurate follow-up story, highlighting the 
closing of the workshop.  The same day, regional weekly newspaper 
"Ahal Durmushy" (Turkmen, circ. 40,091), in reference to state 
dailies, also ran an accurate article.  On June 12, "Turkmenistan" 
TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabic, Persian, 
French) hourly news program carried a short piece highlighting the 
event.  On June 14, the same channel carried a separate broader 
program about the workshop, which included interview remarks by 
Meryl Burpoe and representatives of participating companies.  On 
June 13, the Turkmenistan edition of the Turkish newspaper 
"Zaman-International" (Turkmen, circ. 34,100) posted an accurate 
article on the event. 
 
¶5.  (U) On June 10-12, U.S.-based website "EurasiaNet" (English), 
Russian news agency "ITAR-TASS" (Russian), "RIA OREANDA" (English), 
"Interfax: Russia & CIS General Newswire" (English), Azeri news 
agency "Trend" (Russian), "Kazakhstan Newsline" (English), "The 
Times of Central Asia" (English)and Kyrgyzstan based "CA-NEWS" 
(Russian) carried accurate stories highlighting the workshop.  Most 
of the coverage was based on state media reporting and a Post-issued 
press release.  On June 12, "Reuters" (English) posted an accurate 
story, highlighting an interview with Meryl Burpoe, who expressed 
the strong interest of U.S. companies to participate in energy 
projects in Turkmenistan.  A similar but shorter article was posted 
on "Asia Pulse" (English) on June 15.  On June 17, "Radio Free 
Europe/Radio Liberty" website posted an accurate article referring 
to a statement made by the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Officer 
that the United States is not competing for Turkmen gas. 
 
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT USAID-IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS IN JUNE 
 
¶6.  (U) On June 10, Azeri "Trend News Agency" (English, Russian) and 
the opposition website "Gundogar" (English, Russian) reprinted a 
 
ASHGABAT 00000851  002 OF 003 
 
 
Post press release about a USAID-sponsored workshop on HIV 
prevention in Turkmenistan.  On June 16, the "US Fed News" (English) 
reprinted Post's press release on continued USAID support of 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Turkmenistan. 
USAID presented Russian translations of IFRS to the Supreme Council 
of Science and Technology of Turkmenistan.  On June 16, Russian "RIA 
OREANDA" (English) carried an accurate story on local governance 
roundtable, organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of 
Democracy and Human Rights of Turkmenistan and U.S. Embassy in 
Ashgabat. 
 
¶7.  (U) On June 24, state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" 
(Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) 
and pro-government website "Turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English) ran 
accurate stories highlighting an opening of a USAID-supported 
project, the first drop-in center for drug addicts in Ashgabat.  On 
the same day, Kyrgyzstan-based "CA-NEWS" (Russian) reprinted the 
Post-issued press release on this event.  In subsequent days, "The 
Times of Central Asia" (English) and Russian "RIA OREANDA" (English) 
carried short articles on the event.  On June 26, "Neytralniy 
Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) ran another longer article on 
the center's opening and accurately quoted the USAID Country 
Director on cooperation in drug prevention in Turkmenistan.   (NOTE: 
 Most coverage on USAID events heavily drew from post press releases 
or state media reporting.  END NOTE.) 
 
TURKISH NEWSPAPER IN TURKMENISTAN CARRIES U.S. CHARGE D'AFFAIRES' 
MESSAGE ON THE TURKMEN PRESIDENT'S BIRTHDAY 
 
¶8.  (U) On June 20, the Turkmenistan edition of Turkish newspaper 
"Zaman-International" (Turkmen, circ. 34,100) carried an accurate 
message written by the U.S. Charge d'affaires which congratulated 
President Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of his birthday, and 
praised the growing relationship between Turkmenistan and the United 
States.  (NOTE:  Post submitted the text of the Charge's message to 
the newspaper upon the newspaper's request.  END NOTE.) 
 
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT TURKMEN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO USA 
 
¶9.  (U) On June 5, the "Watan" TV evening news program (Turkmen) 
accurately covered President Berdimuhamedov's instructions to 
Turkmen Foreign Minister Meredov for further intensification of ties 
with the United States.  At that meeting, the President instructed 
the Minister to go on an official visit to the United States and 
hold talks to improve cooperation.  In subsequent days, Azeri news 
agency "Trend" (English), Russian "Praym-TASS - Novosti TEK" 
(Russian), pro-government website "Turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, 
English), "Agence France Presse" (English), "Kazakhstan Newsline" 
(English) and "Interfax: Central Asia General Newswire" (English) 
accurately reported on the upcoming visit with reference to state 
media reports. 
 
¶10.  (U) Stories carried by "Vremya Novostei" (Russian), "ABC.AZ 
Daily News" (English) and Azeri "Turan Information Agency" (English) 
on June 22-23 concluded the reason for Meredov's visit to the U.S. 
was to look for alternative sources of financial assistance for 
energy projects after failing to reach an agreement with the 
European Union, adding that the EU-Turkmenistan interim trade 
agreement requires transparency of Turkmenistan's gas-related 
incomes.  On June 25, "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty" (English) 
posted stories on the visit, assuming that it took place as a result 
of Russia's refusal to buy large quantities of Turkmen gas.  On June 
29, "WPS: Sentralno-aziatskie Novosti" (Russian) posted an accurate 
article on the visit, stating that Meredov is looking for ways to 
attract U.S. companies to invest in oil and gas projects in 
Turkmenistan. 
 
¶11.  (U) On June 25, the opposition website "Gundogar" (Russian) 
posted an accurate article on Meredov's meeting with the U.S. 
Secretary of State.  The article accurately quoted State Department 
Spokesman Ian Kelly's comments regarding the meeting, and cited a 
letter from Human Rights Watch requesting Secretary Clinton to 
require Meredov to make progress on improving the human rights 
situation in Turkmenistan.  The same day, pro-government website 
 
ASHGABAT 00000851  003 OF 003 
 
 
"Turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English), "ITAR-TASS" (Russian) and 
"Fergana.ru" (Russian) highlighted Meredov's meeting with Secretary 
Clinton.  "Turkmenistan.ru" and "ITAR-TASS" also highlighted 
Meredov's meeting with Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy 
Morningstar, who positively evaluated Turkmenistan's perspectives in 
the energy sphere. 
 
STATE PRINT OUTLETS CARRY INTERVIEW REMARKS BY U.S. EMBASSY INTERN 
WHILE AT INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION 
 
¶12.  (U) On June 29, the state-run daily "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, 
circ. 36,091) posted accurate interview remarks by Post intern 
Rachel Sosin, who was discussing the American booth at the 
"International Exhibition on National Renaissance and Masterpieces 
of World Art" held on June 26-28.  The following day, state 
newspaper "Ashgabat" (Turkmen, circ. 23,091) also posted a similar 
interview with the intern.  The interviews praised Turkmen culture 
and introduced some American artwork.  However, the stories included 
fabricated statements praising Turkmen art and culture. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) COMMENT:  During June, state media continued to favorably 
cover Post-organized events and USAID projects.  However, in the 
beginning of the article on USAID's drop-in center for drug addicts, 
state print outlets and websites gave more credit to the Government 
of Turkmenistan in contributing to the event than to the United 
States.  Foreign Minister Meredov's visit to the United States 
received generally accurate coverage, but limited access to 
information on the visit led to fabricated conclusions on the part 
of some international media outlets.  The state daily interview with 
the Embassy intern at the International Exhibition of World Art 
Masterpieces incorrectly indicated the intern's title as a "Director 
of the Information and Cultural Department of U.S. Embassy", and it 
was mostly filled with (fabricated) words of praise for Turkmen art 
and culture, which in fact the intern did not say.  END COMMENT. 
 
MILES