MEPI'S "MY ARABIC LIBRARY" - BAHRAIN MINISTRY

UNCLAS MANAMA 000399 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA/PI-CBOURGEOIS; NEA/PPD-MQUINN AND APENDLETON; NEA/ARN, NEA/ARP CKANESHIRO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL KMPI KPAO KDEM BA SUBJECT: MEPI'S "MY ARABIC LIBRARY" - BAHRAIN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REQUESTS MORE INFO REFS: A) STATE 15320, B) BEIRUT 623, C) WENGER/BOURGEOIS EMAILS, D) MANAMA 375 ¶1. (U) This is an action request for NEA/PI; please see para 6. ¶2. (U) PAO has met twice with senior Ministry of Education officials in Bahrain about the MEPI Arabic language early reading book program (on February 22 and March 16). The Assistant Undersecretary for Curriculum and Training told PAO and APAO on March 16 that the Ministry had not yet made a decision about participating in the program. The Ministry would welcome a visit from a Scholastics Book Representative who would provide further information about the books, including a proposed list of titles and sample translations. ¶3. (U) It is post's understanding that Ms. Michelle Alwan, Middle East Area Sales Manager of Scholastics Books, will visit the region in April/May. Post recommends that she visit Bahrain with further information about the project, including the proposed list of books and samples of books that have already been translated. ¶4. (SBU) It seems that "My Arabic Library" has been the talk of the Ministry. The Assistant Undersecretary told the PAO that a number of Ministry staff have expressed serious concerns about the project during internal meetings, and some have come out completely against the project. The Assistant Undersecretary supports the project, stating, "These people are living in the past - aren't these just children's bedtime stories?" He cautioned, however, that the Minister will decide only after he has met with Alwan and seen a list of the books. During a separate meeting about the GLOBE Program on March 21, the Director of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Bahrain, the official responsible for all public high schools and middle schools in the country, surprised the APAO and PAS FSN by bringing up "My Arabic Library" and stating that he was not supportive of the idea. He said, "We have been discussing this new Arabic Books Program from America. We have our own books that reflect our culture and traditions, there is little need for us to import." (Comment: This individual has been extremely supportive of the GLOBE Program, and is not anti- American.) Further, during a round table discussion at Al Wasat Arabic newspaper two weeks ago, Charge and Emboffs were surprised when a representative from an Islamist political society who works at the Ministry of Education, used "My Arabic Library" as an example of an educational reform program being imposed by the USG on the Gulf, as reported in reftel D. ¶5. (SBU) PAO informed the Assistant Undersecretary that per ref A, para 7, "acknowledgement of MEPI sponsorship of the Program would likely be printed on the inside of the books." Given the sensitivities surrounding the program, he recommended not overtly identifying the books as receiving U.S. funding. He stated, "Good work speaks for itself and teachers, parents, and students could react negatively to this program if it seemed to have political connotations. Stamping the book cover would be counterproductive to the purpose of the program. Arabs want to preserve their cultures and politicizing a reading program equals indoctrination in the viewpoint of many. Politicizing a reading program takes away its substance." (Comment: This official has been extremely supportive of all MEPI initiatives, and he personally supports My Arabic Library. End Comment.) ¶6. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Please advise Alwan's travel dates to Bahrain so post can request a meeting with the Minister of Education for Alwan to present the requested information. Charge Ford and PAO will accompany Alwan on the meeting. Post further requests that Alwan be prepared to inform the Minister exactly how U.S. support/funding for the books will be identified. FORD