CROWN PRINCE ATTENDS AMBASSADOR'S BAHRAIN SCHOOL

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