UNCLAS MANAMA 000838

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/PPD, NEA/ARPI, NEA/SA/EX/PMO,
A/OPR/OS - BEA CAMERON, M/FLO, ECA - A/S HARRISON
SECDEF FOR DEPSECDEF ENGLAND, DOD/ISA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASCH KPAO BA
SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE ATTENDS AMBASSADOR'S BAHRAIN SCHOOL
ALUMNI RECEPTION


1. Underscoring his support for the Bahrain School, the
premier K-12 American-model school in Bahrain and the only
DODDS (Department of Defense Dependent School) institution in
the Middle East, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman attended an
Ambassador-hosted reception at the residence June 8 in honor
of Bahrain School alumni. More than 100 alumni attended the
reception, including -- in addition to the Crown Prince --
other members of the royal family, senior Government of
Bahrain officials, senior staff from Bahrain's finance and
banking institutions, NGO activists, artists, and several
very recently-returned graduates of American universities.


2. The gathering was a huge success, exceeding all
expectations. As there is no formal alumni association, or
listing of alumni, the Embassy put together a guest list with
the assistance of several enthusiastic alumni. Clearly
pleased with the opportunity to meet old friends and
teachers, many attendees expressed the hope that a more
formal listing or even alumni association could be
established to facilitate future gatherings.


3. Several of the guests signaled out freedom of expression
as the single most important aspect of the Bahrain School and
an American education. One female member of the royal family
told the PAO that the Bahrain School had changed her life by
encouraging her to follow her dream of majoring in film
production. She now works in the court of the Crown Prince
on programs in support of the GOB's on-going reform efforts.
Bahrain's best known professional photographer told the
acting DCM and PAO that the Bahrain School had given her the
"stamina and grounding" needed to succeed internationally as
a woman from the Gulf in a very competitive field.


4. Emboffs were pleased to learn that many alumni are
planning to send their children to Bahrain School. The
Ambassador made brief remarks about the importance of a U.S.
education, and he emphasized the continuing support of the
U.S. Government for the Bahrain School.


5. Comment: This event demonstrated exactly why the Bahrain
school is so important in helping reach out to and instill
American values in an important segment of society in a
Middle East country like Bahrain, and why it is so vital that
the U.S. Government continue to support, with funding as
needed, this school. Bahrain School graduates, most of whom
went on to the U.S. for university, have returned with great
affection for the school, and friendship for the United
States. Among those graduates is the Crown Prince himself,
who spent almost 90 minutes at the residence talking with
fellow alumni.
MONROE