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Cablegate: A/S Boucher Delivers Message of a New Beginning In

VZCZCXRO4467
RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #1311 3611111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271111Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8156
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001311

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, IIP/T, IIP/G/NEA-SA, SA
SCA/CEN, SCA/PAB, SCA/INS, SCA/RA, SCA/PPD, DRL
CENTCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS-MAJ.BALDWIN/SGT. BAKER
USCINCPAC FOR POLAD R. HUSO
SECDEF FOR PA


SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP PREL PGOV AF TX
SUBJECT: A/S BOUCHER DELIVERS MESSAGE OF A NEW BEGINNING IN
POST-NIYAZOV ERA


Summary
-------

1. (U) Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher's December 24 visit to
Turkmenistan generated a high level of international news coverage,
which was mostly accurate except for some reports claiming that
Boucher had an official meeting with Interim President Gurbanguly
Berdimukhammedov. Turkmenistan'S state media provided limited but
accurate coverage of the visit of the U.S. delegation led by Boucher
and of U.S. condolences on the death of Niyazov. Russian press was
the source of most negative reports about U.S. intentions in
Turkmenistan, including suggestions that the U.S. leadership had
rigged the death of President Niyazov. In at least one case,
English language press carried a reference to a U.S. desire for an
airbase on Turkmenistan soil and a fervently anti-Bush editorial
suggesting U.S. complicity in Niyazov's death. Major international
and U.S. news sources tended to repeat minor factual inaccuracies
about Niyazov's policies but accurately presented U.S. statements on
the passing of Niyazov. End Summary.

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Turkmenistan/Regional Press Largely Factual
-------------------------------------------

2. (U) Turkmenistan State News Media did not attend the
embassy-organized press conference for A/S Boucher and only noted
his attendance at the funeral ceremonies and U.S. condolence
messages. Regional press and wire service stories generally carried
accurate coverage of Boucher's Ashgabat press conference. Most
noted that the U.S. hopes for a stable, constitutional transition of
power and/or that the U.S. sees an opportunity for a new
relationship with Turkmenistan. A handful of regional outlets in
English or Russian also noted the specific areas of interest for
expanded U.S. cooperation: education, health, energy policy, and
border security.

3. (U) Unfortunately, some news outlets (perhaps working from AP
wire coverage) used the headline, "U.S. Eyes Opportunity in
Turkmenistan" or similar, giving a slightly sinister spin to A/S
Boucher's comments.

4. (U) In addition, Reuters and others, apparently using Reuters
material, misreported that A/S Boucher held talks with Interim
President Berdimuhammedov. Another inaccuracy occurred in the
Russian-language "Trend" outlet of Azerbaijan, which contained
accurate information from A/S Boucher's press conference, but
inaccurately wrote that he called for an "amnesty of political
prisoners."

Russian Black Media Machine Busy Spinning
-----------------------------------------

5. (U) Russian TV broadcaster Channel 1, also carried segments
suggesting that the U.S. will now move to foment a "color
revolution" in Turkmenistan and that the country could be a base for
action against Iran. Post also notes that the Russian-based Regnum
website carried a story reflecting the opinion of the Chairman of
the Russian Islamic Committee. The Chairman insinuated that
Niyazov's death was likely the work of the United States. The
English language Atlantic Free Press of Groningen, Netherlands ran a
particularly anti-American opinion piece, which also suggested that
Niyazov would naturally have been a target of U.S. transformational
diplomacy, and that Niyazov's passing would pave the way for U.S.
military action against Iran from bases in Turkmenistan. Some
Russian news media has reported Vladimir Zhironovsky's comments that
the U.S. and Iran will now battle for influence in Turkmenistan.
Other Russain language outlets also discussed the new "great game"
in Central Asia following Niyazov's death.

Comment
-------

6. (U) Overall, the accuracy and tenor of coverage for Boucher's
visit was good. Some inaccuracies were probably not intentional.
However, given Russian news media's penchant for anti-U.S.
conspiracy theories, post is concerned that some Russian news
outlets will reprint or quote at length the Atlantic Free Press
article mentioned above and at the least continue to warn of a U.S.
strategy for influence in the region. [End Comment.]

BRUSH

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