BBG Watch Commentary
As of 7:00PM EST, VOA’s main English news website still has no separate report on today’s Obama-Putin phone call on Ukraine. For close to two hours, BBC, DW, Deutsche Welle have been reporting on the Obama-Putin phone call and the White House announcement on the conversation. A VOA report, “UN: ‘Cool Heads’ Must Prevail in Ukraine; US to Suspend Prep Meetings for G8 Summit in Russia,” which was posted around 6:00PM EST has a short reference to the Obama-Putin phone call.
But as of 7PM EST Saturday, words “Obama,” “Putin” and “phone call” do not appear anywhere on the VOA English news homepage. By looking at the homepage, international visitors to the VOA English news website would have no idea that such a phone call ever took place. VOA is also not using a White House photo of President Obama speaking on the phone Saturday with President Putin.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama also spoke separately this afternoon about Ukraine with President Hollande of France and Prime Minister Harper of Canada. This news has not been reported at all by Voice of America.
Also, VOA’s 7:00 PM EST online radio newscast did not lead with the news about the Obama-Putin phone call. The newscast had only one sentence on the phone call in the middle of a news item. There was far more information in the VOA newscast on what Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin had to say about the situation in Ukraine than what President Obama had to say to President Putin.
The VOA English newscast also had more information on Russia’s positions on Ukraine, including those of President Putin, than on U.S. positions on the crisis.
Listen to VOA’s 7PM EST Online Radio Newscast
With the departure of VOA’s White House correspondent Dan Robinson on Friday, VOA does not have a correspondent at the White House. VOA Director David Ensor and VOA Executive Editor Steve Redisch apparently made no arrangements to replace Robinson during the weekend.
As of 6:00PM EST, VOA’s main English news website still has no report on today’s Obama-Putin phone call on Ukraine.
Both Voice of Russia and Deutsche Welle have already reported on the phone call.
At about 5:15 PM EST, the White House released a statement on President Obama’s phone call today with President Putin.
As of 5:45 PM, there is still no reporting on the Voice of America (VOA) English news website on the Obama-Putin phone call.
Other international media outlets reporting on the Obama-Putin Saturday 90-minute phone call:
Sat, Mar 01, 2014
Source: BBC World News (UK)
Sat, Mar 01, 2014
Source: DW (Germany)
Sat, Mar 01, 2014
Source: Al Jazeera News (Middle East)
Sat, Mar 01, 2014
Source: Voice of Russia (Russia)
Sat, Mar 01, 2014
Source: Voice of Russia (Russia)
Sat, Mar 01, 2014
Source: Voice of Russia (Russia)
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2014Readout of President Obama’s Call with President Putin
President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russia’s military intervention into Ukrainian territory.
The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We have consistently said that we recognize Russia’s deep historic and cultural ties to Ukraine and the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russian and minority populations within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraine’s international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.
President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both organizations, Russia would be able to participate. President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.
President Obama made clear that Russia’s continued violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russia’s standing in the international community. In the coming hours and days, the United States will urgently consult with allies and partners in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and with the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum. The United States will suspend upcoming participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8. Going forward, Russia’s continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.
The people of Ukraine have the right to determine their own future. President Obama has directed his Administration to continue working urgently with international partners to provide support for the Ukrainian government, including urgent technical and financial assistance. Going forward, we will continue consulting closely with allies and partners, the Ukrainian government and the International Monetary Fund, to provide the new government with significant assistance to secure financial stability, to support needed reforms, to allow Ukraine to conduct successful elections, and to support Ukraine as it pursues a democratic future.
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2014
Readout of President Obama’s calls with President Hollande and Prime Minister Harper
President Obama spoke separately this afternoon with President Hollande of France and Prime Minister Harper of Canada. The leaders agreed that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and expressed their grave concern over Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. The leaders agreed to continue to coordinate closely, including bilaterally, and through appropriate international organizations. The leaders affirmed the importance of unity within the international community in support of international law, and the future of Ukraine and its democracy. The leaders also pledged to work together on a package of support and assistance to help Ukraine as it pursues reforms and stabilizes its economy.
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