Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KUWAIT3603
2003-08-06 09:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

EMBASSY ADDRESSES CONCERNS ON STUDENT VISAS, NSEERS

Tags:  KPAO CVIS SCUL KU 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003603 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR Claire Kaneshiro NEA/ARP, Duncan Macinnes NEA/PPD,
Robert Persiko ECA/PE/C/PY, CA/VO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO CVIS SCUL KU
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ADDRESSES CONCERNS ON STUDENT VISAS, NSEERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003603

SIPDIS

STATE FOR Claire Kaneshiro NEA/ARP, Duncan Macinnes NEA/PPD,
Robert Persiko ECA/PE/C/PY, CA/VO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO CVIS SCUL KU
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ADDRESSES CONCERNS ON STUDENT VISAS, NSEERS


1. SUMMARY: Security concerns in Kuwait this year
disrupted traditional preparations to study in the United
States. As a counterbalance, PAS and the Consular Section
have collaborated on several public affairs initiatives
designed to facilitate study in the U.S. Our Consul has
appeared on local television programs, did a call-in program
interview with a leading local newspaper, and met with the
Kuwait Student's Union to discuss National Security Entry-
Exit Registration System (NSEERS) requirements, among other
topics. The Embassy increased student visa content on its
website. The Consular Section hosted two `Student Visa Days'
during which students were able to apply for visas without
appointments. The Consular Section also ensured timely
issuance of visas for Kuwaiti high school students
participating in an important public diplomacy initiative,
the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. Student visa
issuances are up about 20% compared this summer compared to
last, thanks also to faster turn around on SAO requests. END
SUMMARY.


2. Security concerns in Kuwait this year disrupted
traditional preparations to study in the United States.
Many U.S. academic institutions cancelled recruitment trips
to Kuwait beginning last fall due to fears of terrorism and
war. The Ministry of Education closed schools in Kuwait for
almost a month during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The closure
caused many students substantial delays in gaining
admissions to U.S. institutions for the fall semester. The
extension of the academic year to make up for class time
lost during the war also delayed allocation of government
scholarships upon which many Kuwaiti students depend for
overseas study.


3. PAS and the Consular Section have in the past three
months collaborated on a number of initiatives to
counterbalance these factors and facilitate study in the
United States. The strategy has been to ensure students
could apply with adequate time to complete required
clearance procedures before their school start date, while
also disseminating information on student visa applications
and National Security Entry-Exit Registration System
(NSEERS) requirements through speaking appearances by the

Consul and through the local media.


4. On May 27 and June 20, Consul Sean Murphy appeared on
Arabic and English television, respectively, to answer
questions from the public on visa-related issues. The
Arabic venue, a morning talk-show carried locally and on
Kuwait's satellite channel, is one of the Gulf's most
popular programs. The format was questions from an
interviewer interspersed with calls from the public. The
station allowed the segment with the Consul to run twice its
allotted time due to the volume of calls, most of which
focused on visa application requirements and NSEERS. The
appearance on Kuwait's English-language channel followed a
similar format and likewise received a large number of calls
on these topics.


5. On July 20, Consul Murphy and APAO Kevin Olbrysh
visited the offices of leading Arabic daily newspaper Al-
Qabas to address directly the concerns of its readers. Phone-
in questions ranged over individual visa cases and concerns
regarding NSEERS reentry procedures. Between calls the
editor of the local section asked follow-up and more general
questions. The local section editor asked about security
procedures and specifically about future plans to capture
biometric data from NIV applicants, as well as the scale of
illegal immigration to the U.S.


6. Al-Qabas the following day published a half-page
interior spread covering the session, with a lead-in below
the fold on the front page. The first paragraph of the story
noted that the capture of biometric data would apply to
"Kuwaitis and all individuals from around the world applying
for US visas." The coverage positively emphasized the need
for security in the U.S. visa process by setting it in the
context of illegal immigration and legitimate concerns about
terrorism, and noted that Arabs and Kuwaitis are not being
singled out.


7. On July 22, the Consul fielded questions at a "freshman
orientation" session for around 80 Kuwaiti students who will
be departing for studies in the U.S. in the fall. The
session was sponsored by the U.S. chapter of the National
Union of Kuwait Students (NUKS),and attendees also included
a representative from the Ministry of Higher Education and
two student union speakers. The Consul met with NUKS board
members prior to the session to discuss concerns about
returning students who may not have complied with NSEERS
departure requirements.


8. The Consular Section held "open" days for student visa
applicants on July 14 and 28, on which applicants for
student visas could appear for interviews without an
appointment. These dates were announced via press release
well in advance and the Government of Kuwait was informed
via diplomatic note. A total of 214 students and their
dependents applied for visas on those two days. Overall,
issuance of student visas for June-July 2003 is up about 20%
compared to the same period last year, thanks also to faster
turn-around on SAO requests.


9. Coinciding with the first Student Visa Day, the Embassy
launched a new link on its webpage, "Information for
Students". The link collects in one place information
previously available elsewhere on the site and adds
additional content of interest to students. It includes
NSEERS requirements in English and Arabic. The NSEERS
information has been given in writing to all applicants
known to be subject to the program since its inception.


10. PAS and the Consular Section also worked closely to
accommodate early visa interview appointments for seven high
school students from Kuwait that will live and study in the
US during the 2003-04 academic year under the State
Department funded Partnerships for Learning (P4L) Youth
Exchange and Study (YES) Program. All students received
their visas well before their scheduled departure date later
this month. To help publicize the program PAS arranged media
coverage for a farewell reception in honor of the students
and their parents hosted by the Ambassador and attended by
the Minister of Education.


11. COMMENT. We would like to think we have turned
something of a corner on student visas. In addition, the
increase in stability in the region will permit U.S.
colleges and universities to again schedule recruiting trips
to Kuwait and allow Kuwaiti students to make plans without
the disruptions caused this year by the War. We will
continue our efforts to encourage study in the United States
and to ensure that students are aware of their
responsibilities under NSEERS. END COMMENT.


JONES