Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN141
2003-01-08 09:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE AMMAN ARABIC BOOK

Tags:  SCUL KPAO OIIP JO 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 000141 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA (PLEASE PASS TO DAS LIZ CHENEY); IIP/G/NEA/SA;
NEA/PPD; CHARLOTTE BEERS OFFICE (R); PATRICIA HARRISON AND
RICK RUTH(ECA)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO OIIP JO
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE AMMAN ARABIC BOOK
PROGRAM

REF: CAIRO 11622

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 000141

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA (PLEASE PASS TO DAS LIZ CHENEY); IIP/G/NEA/SA;
NEA/PPD; CHARLOTTE BEERS OFFICE (R); PATRICIA HARRISON AND
RICK RUTH(ECA)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO OIIP JO
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE AMMAN ARABIC BOOK
PROGRAM

REF: CAIRO 11622


1. Summary: PAS Amman supports PAS Cairo's request for
increased funding, and seeks an additional USD 65,000
supplement for Amman's Arabic Book Program. Funds will be
used to encourage greater initiative on the part of
publishers and to expand program capacity to publish books
in support of MEPI and Partnership for Learning initiatives.
End Summary.


2. Funding Requests:


A. USD 10,000 for a pilot program to purchase translation
rights for books pre-selected by Jordanian publishers for
publication.

---Justification: Post currently selects books that meet
Arabic Book Program criteria, secures rights, and awards
publication to the winning bid from qualified publishers.
While this process continues to serve our needs, it does
limit the number of books translated. Regional publishers
are, for the most part, inexperienced in the international
publishing arena and hesitant to initiate book purchases on
their own. The pilot project would make available to
regional publishers modest funds for purchasing translation
rights to books desired by the publisher and approved by the
ABP, provided that publishers undertake the negotiation
process on their own. Obtaining rights and publishing these
titles would encourage these publishers to obtain valuable
experience in contacting American publishers and requesting
translations rights, negotiating deals, selecting
forthcoming titles, and closing foreign rights contracts on
their own in future. If successful, the pilot project would
raise publishers' confidence levels and result in increased
numbers of American titles published in the region. Post
expects to facilitate publishers' initial efforts in
international negotiation, through short-term training or
other hands on assistance.


B. USD 20,000 for expansion of core "American Studies"
titles.

---Justification: Post wishes to encourage interest in
American Studies, and to complement Cairo's proposed youth
literature program, with an expanded list of literary,
historical and political writings suitable for the
university audience. Titles would be chosen in consultation
with current Fulbright American Studies and Literature
professors and with other experts in the field. Translation
of these titles would make American literature, history and
political thought more accessible to readers whose English
reading ability is less than perfect. Based on our
observations, many students who are registered in English
literature courses have difficulty with the material and
would benefit from having quality Arabic translations ready
to hand for comparison. Students who might be hesitant to
sign up for an American Studies course with reading
materials entirely in English would feel more comfortable if
the material was also available in an Arabic version.

Last year's 3-volume collection of American Studies
materials enjoyed tremendous popularity with both students
and the literary elite. Amman ABP is presently publishing
Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the US", and John
Updike's edition of "The Best American Short Stories of the
Century". "Emerson's Essays" was published earlier this
year, and Gordon Wood's "The American Revolution" has been
assigned for next year. The requested funds would allow
publication of an additional 4-6 American Studies titles in
the coming year.


C. USD 15,000 for translation and publication of recent
American titles on religious freedom, tolerance, and mutual
understanding.
---Justification: Many new titles on religious freedom,
faith and tolerance, and shared values between Islam and the
West have been published in the US in the wake of September

11. Making the best of these titles available to Arabic
readers will reinforce understanding of the depth of
America's commitment to religious tolerance, religious
freedom, and inclusivity. Funding is requested for
approximately four titles.


D. USD 20,000 for translation and publication of titles
dealing with good governance and civil society.

---Justification: The issues of democracy, good governance,
and citizen participation are in the forefront of Arab
intellectual discussions these days; furthering these
objectives is of key interest to the US. There are
currently very few Arabic translations in this area, very
little original authorship, and only a few fledgling
programs at educational institutions and at grassroots
levels. Post seeks to support nascent institutional efforts
as well as provide the Arab literary and intellectual
opinion leaders with easily accessible and stimulating
materials that will enhance understanding of these issues
and raise the level of discussion by inspiring a more
international outlook in both oral and printed discussions.
Funding is requested for 5-6 titles in this area. Gnehm