U.S. State Department Concerned By Halt Of RFE/RL Kyrgyz Broadcasts
The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the move by authorities in Kyrgyzstan to block Radio Azattyk, the Kyrgyz-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and has called for broadcasts to resume.
A State Department statement said Azattyk's programs, including its popular television news programs, "provide a public service as a source of information for the Kyrgyz people." It said they "make a valuable contribution to free media, open debate, and democratic development in Kyrgyzstan."
The statement said the United States urges the Kyrgyz government to work with RFE/RL to permit the resumption of broadcasts of these programs as soon as possible.
The Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe (OSCE) has also urged Kyrgyz authorities to restore RFE/RL radio and television broadcasts, which have been suspended by Kyrgyz state-controlled radio and television since October 8.
Kyrgyz officials have described Azattyk programs as too critical of the government, and demanded the right to review Azattyk programs before broadcast -- a condition rejected as unacceptable by RFE/RL's leadership.
A State Department statement said Azattyk's programs, including its popular television news programs, "provide a public service as a source of information for the Kyrgyz people." It said they "make a valuable contribution to free media, open debate, and democratic development in Kyrgyzstan."
The statement said the United States urges the Kyrgyz government to work with RFE/RL to permit the resumption of broadcasts of these programs as soon as possible.
The Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe (OSCE) has also urged Kyrgyz authorities to restore RFE/RL radio and television broadcasts, which have been suspended by Kyrgyz state-controlled radio and television since October 8.
Kyrgyz officials have described Azattyk programs as too critical of the government, and demanded the right to review Azattyk programs before broadcast -- a condition rejected as unacceptable by RFE/RL's leadership.
