Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO8929
2005-11-29 11:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

NEW ORLEANS ALL STARS BRASS BAND LIGHTS UP

Tags:  KPAO OEXC SCUL EG 
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UNCLAS CAIRO 008929 

SIPDIS

FOR R, NEA, AND ECA/PE/C/CU

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL EG
SUBJECT: NEW ORLEANS ALL STARS BRASS BAND LIGHTS UP
EGYPT

REF: A) STATE 194800, B) STATE 194812, C) CAIRO 8192

UNCLAS CAIRO 008929

SIPDIS

FOR R, NEA, AND ECA/PE/C/CU

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL EG
SUBJECT: NEW ORLEANS ALL STARS BRASS BAND LIGHTS UP
EGYPT

REF: A) STATE 194800, B) STATE 194812, C) CAIRO 8192


1. SUMMARY: The New Orleans All Stars Brass Band
played for about 900 people including senior
representatives of the GOE, business leaders, military
officers, and jazz fans in lively concerts in
Alexandria on Nov. 18 and Cairo on Nov. 19. The
concerts, held to thank the Egyptian government for
its assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims,
highlighted the value of the American-Egyptian
partnership at a time of crisis. END SUMMARY

--------------
Press coverage
--------------


2. Al-Ahram and other Egyptian daily newspapers
published favorable stories, including quotes from
the Ambassador, following the concerts. In addition,
Orbit satellite channel conducted interviews with the
band and the Ambassador for a five-minute segment
expected to air on the popular al-Qahira al-Yowm
(Cairo Today) show seen by millions across the Arab
world.


3. Press coverage even extended to the sports page.
In al-Ahram's widely read Friday edition, the sports
section ran a prominent photo of the Ambassador using
the occasion of the concert to congratulate al-Ahly,
a storied Cairo soccer club, for capturing the
African Champions League crown.


4. Alexandria Channel 5 television broadcast an
extended story on the Alexandria performance,
focusing on attendance by senior military figures and
the USG's message of thanks.

--------------
Cairo concert
--------------


5. While scheduling conflicts related to the
parliamentary elections reduced attendance by invited
VIPs in Cairo, post filled the gap with invitations
to students and cultural contacts, who added a lively
mix to the audience.


6. The audience responded with applause to the
thanks offered by Ambassador Ricciardone and members
of the band for Katrina assistance. (NOTE: Shortly
after the hurricane, the Egyptian military dispatched
two C-130 planes filled with relief supplies. END
NOTE.) The Ambassador presented Egyptian Major
General Mohamed Said El-Assar, Advisor to the
Minister of Defense, a coffee-table book on New
Orleans as a token of USG gratitude.


7. The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt
sponsored a reception following the concert,
providing an opportunity for the jazz musicians and
Embassy officers to engage Egyptian guests,
furthering the objective of strengthening cross-
cultural, people-to-people engagement and exchanges.
Among the guests were two New Orleans natives who had
raised $5,000 here for hurricane relief.


8. Photos of the concert and reception are on the
Mission's website, cairo.usembassy.gov.

--------------
Alexandria
--------------


9. An audience of nearly 300 senior government,
military, business and academic figures filled the
Alexandria Creativity Center hall, clapping and
rising to their feet to dance as the band played
"Mardi Gras in Old New Orleans." American Presence
Post Alexandria Principal Officer began the evening
with remarks in Arabic, thanking the government and
people of Egypt and in particular the Egyptian Armed
forces, represented by a delegation of Egyptian Naval
officers, for Egypt's assistance following Hurricane
Katrina.


10. Following the show, the band and audience
members mingled in a reception and viewed an IIP
paper show on Jazz and the city of New Orleans.
Afterward, a smaller group of guests joined the band
for dinner at a local restaurant.

RICCIARDONE