AMBASSADOR HOSTS YES STUDENTS AS NEW GROUP HEADS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 003552

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL XF KU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS YES STUDENTS AS NEW GROUP HEADS
TO U.S. FOR JUNIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL


1. SUMMARY: On Sunday, August 6, 2005, the Ambassador
hosted a reception at his residence for past and present
Kuwaiti participants in the YES program, their parents and
AMIDEAST-Kuwait officials. Attendees said that they loved
being invited to the Embassy. The event earned wide
positive press coverage promoting the YES and other
exchange programs. END SUMMARY.


2. A mix of sixty guests, including past and current YES
students, their abaya- or dishdasha-clad parents and
AMIDEAST-Kuwait officials, mingled with Emboffs at the
Ambassador's residence. The Ambassador's remarks had a
visible impact on the guests as he stressed that exchange
programs were a "strategic element of U.S. foreign policy"
because such exchanges bridge the gaps of misunderstanding
between America and the Arab world.


3. Twelve new YES students, who departed Kuwait during the
early morning hours of August 9, listened attentively as
the Ambassador wished them well and urged them to act as
Kuwaiti Ambassadors, showing American youth that they and
Kuwaiti youth "have similar aspirations and goals for
education."


4. One departing student, heading to Las Vegas, was quoted
in the papers saying that the YES program was a way to
"introduce Kuwaiti culture to the American people." He
added, "I believe I will return a better person in all
aspects, and I especially want to speak fluent English and
learn to play baseball."


5. One of the alumni, Batool Hassan, who attended high
school in Escondido, California, commented in the
newspapers that her group left Kuwait "as kids and returned
as men and women." She continued, "the experience made me
stronger and more confident" and that the American people
were "warm and welcoming."


6. AMIDEAST colleagues informed PAS staff that the
students and parents said after the event that they were
thrilled to be hosted by the Ambassador in his residence.
They said the event really made them "feel important."


7. Kuwait is now in its third year of the YES program,
with six participants in 2003-2004, twelve participants in
2004-2005, and twelve participants for 2005-2006. All
participants have said that the experience was
transformational.


8. The reception received positive coverage with articles
and numerous pictures in all eight of the Kuwaiti dailies:
- Al-Anba, 8/8/05, p. 7, Arabic, circ. 40,000
- Al-Qabas, 8/8/05, p. 6, Arabic, circ. 65,000
- Al-Rai Al-Aam, 8/8/05, p. 11, Arabic, circ. 80,000
- Al-Seyassah, 8/8/05, p. 7, Arabic, circ. 45,000 (one-
third of the page)
- Al-Watan, 8/8/05, p.4, Arabic, circ. 65,000
- Arab Times, 8/8/05, p. 2, English, circ. 40,000,
(Headline: Exchange programs strategic element of US
foreign Policy)
- Kuwait Times, 8/8/05, p. 6, English, circ. 35,000 (half-
page)
- The Daily Star, 8/8/05, p. 1, English, circ. 15,000
- For pictures of the event and links to the Kuwait News
Agency Report, please visit the Embassy's public website
at: http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/pr_08062005.html


9. POST COMMENT: The YES program is an outstanding tool
for reaching the youth audience in Kuwait. Post and host-
country individuals and educational institutions agree that
YES is an extremely valuable exchange program. In addition
to creating young Kuwaitis knowledgeable on what makes
America and Americans tick, it empowers a youth group
equipped to inform their peer group on U.S. society and
values and instills in most alumni a desire to continue
their future studies in America. In fact, one YES alumnus
from 2004-2005 decided to return to Dayton as a foreign
student to finish his high school education there this
year. END COMMENT.


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LEBARON