JAZZ AMBASSADORS 2003/AMMAN

UNCLAS AMMAN 007307

SIPDIS

ECA/PE/C/CU-ROUSE; NEA/PPD; NEA/ARN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: JO KPAO SCUL OEXC
SUBJECT: JAZZ AMBASSADORS 2003/AMMAN

REF: STATE 250221


1. PA AMMAN IS DELIGHTED TO REQUEST INCLUSION IN THE 2003
JAZZ AMBASSADORS TOUR. POST PREFERS THE MAY TOUR TIMEFRAME
IN ORDER TO COINCIDE WITH POSSIBLE PA PLANS TO ORGANIZE AN
AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL DURING THAT MONTH. IF MAY IS NOT
FEASIBLE, POST ALSO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HOSTING THE TOUR
IN SEPTEMBER. THE IDEAL NUMBER OF DAYS IS THREE FULL
PROGRAM DAYS, PLUS ADDITIONAL TRAVEL DAYS AS REQUIRED. IN
ADDITION TO POST'S WEEKEND OF FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MAY 14
AND MAY 25 ARE EXPECTED IN-COUNTRY HOLIDAYS AND THUS ARE NOT
PREFERABLE PROGRAMMING DAYS.


2. PA AMMAN IS VERY PLEASED WITH SELECTION OF THE 2003
TOUR'S THEME OF THE INFLUENCE OF LATIN RHYTHMS ON AMERICAN
JAZZ. THROUGHOUT JORDAN, YOUNG AUDIENCES IN PARTICULAR HAVE
A REAL THIRST FOR ALL TYPES OF LATIN-INSPIRED MUSIC. THIS
LATIN THEME WILL ENABLE US TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM WITH MAXIMUM
EXPOSURE AMONG THE YOUTH AUDIENCE. PRESENTATION OF THIS
YEAR'S JAZZ AMBASSADORS TOUR THUS WILL HELP US MEET COUNTRY
PLAN OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE
YOUTH. BOTH THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM RESULTS OF THIS
PROGRAM WILL BE A CONTINUED INCREASE IN CULTURAL DIALOGUE
WITH WIDER, PARTICULARLY YOUTH AUDIENCES IN MUSLIM-MAJORITY
COUNTRIES LIKE JORDAN.


3. SECURITY: EMBASSY AMMAN IS CURRENTLY UNDER A TRAVEL
WARNING, BUT ALL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING PUBLIC
AFFAIRS EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. PA
COORDINATES WITH POST RSO TO ENSURE THAT SECURITY
CONSIDERATIONS ARE MET WHEN PLANNING EVENTS FOR VISITING
PERFORMERS AND SPEAKERS.

GNEHM