BBG Watch Commentary
UPDATE: After 2:00PM EST VOA inserted a paragraph about the White House statement into an old correspondent report. The White House reaction is not mentioned in the headline or otherwise highlighted.
Also, a VOA radio newscast accessed online at 3:00 PM EST makes no mention of the White House reaction or President Obama’s phone call with President Putin. The audio newscast includes largely old information about the Ukraine deal.
“VOA Online Newscast 3PM EST 2-21-14” by Voice of Americe English . Released: 2014. Genre: News.
There is no mention in the VOA newscast of any White House reaction to the deal in Ukraine. Most of the information in the VOA 3PM EST Friday radio newscast about Ukraine is many hours old. The 3PM VOA newscast also refers to the Obama-Dalai Lama meeting at the White House in the present tense as if it were taking place right now, even though the meeting was over hours before. It took place in the morning Washington time while this VOA newscast originated at 3PM EST. The White House website had a readout on the Obama-Dalai Lama meeting for a few hours.
US still prepared to impose sanctions on Ukraine if needed – White House
Fri, Feb 21, 2014
Source: Voice of Russia (Russia)
Voice of Russia is reporting on White House reaction to the deal reached between the opposition and the government in Ukraine.
There is still no reporting on the Voice of America English news website about the White House reaction to the compromise deal in Kyiv and President Obama’s announced phone call with President Putin to discuss Ukraine.
“Now the focus must be on implementing this agreement, which we will be monitoring closely,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said — Voice of Russia reported.
As of 2:00 PM EST Friday, there is still nothing on this White House statement on the Voice of America website although it has been posted on the White House website for some time.
VOA failed to report Thursday on a phone call between U.S. Vice President Biden and Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych which was made a few hours before the compromise deal in Ukraine was reached.
Deutsche Welle (DW) is also reporting on today’s White House reaction in this report:
Fri, Feb 21, 2014
Source: DW (Germany)
"The U.S. welcomes the agreement…today between Ukrainian President Yanukovych and Opposition leaders." —@PressSec: http://t.co/ApegiHvcRF
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 21, 2014
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The White House
Office of the Press SecretaryFor Immediate Release February 21, 2014
Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine
The United States welcomes the agreement signed today between Ukrainian President Yanukovych and Opposition leaders. The agreement, facilitated by Foreign Ministers Fabius, Sikorski, and Steinmeier and witnessed by Russia, is consistent with what we have advocated in calling for a de-escalation of the violence, constitutional change, a coalition government, and early elections. We support the efforts of all those who negotiated this agreement, commend the courageous opposition leaders who recognized the need for compromise, and offer the support of the United States in its implementation. Now, the focus must be on concrete action to implement this agreement, which we will be monitoring closely.
In this regard, we call for immediate implementation of the initial steps — an end to the violence, amnesty and security normalization, and passage of the constitutional package in the Rada — to provide space for the negotiations to begin on formation of a technocratic coalition government. Respect for the right of peaceful protest –- including on the Maidan –- is essential. As we have said, there must be accountability for those responsible for the violence and the casualties that have resulted since the crisis began, and we remain prepared to impose additional sanctions as necessary. The United States stands with the Ukrainian people as they work to restore peace, security, and human dignity across the country and determine the future course of their nation.
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