BAHRAIN: REQUEST FOR AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD

UNCLAS MANAMA 000889 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ECA/PE/C/CU (SROUSE) NEA/PD (CWHITTLESEY) NEA/ARPI (DBERNS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: REQUEST FOR AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD PROGRAM REF: STATE 102369 ¶1. Embassy Manama requests to be included in the FY 2005 American Music Abroad program. Post requests that we host one of the Latin Jazz Quartets, which we believe would resonate very well with Bahraini audiences. The following responses are keyed to questions in para 4 of reftel: ¶2. Desired dates: Embassy Manama requests three full programming days in the mid to end February, 2006, timeframe. Bahrain will celebrate an Islamic holiday in early February. Thursdays and Fridays are the local weekend and are not suitable for programming; post requests that the three days in Bahrain be during the Saturday-Wednesday work week. ¶3. Post's program goals: One of post's MPP goals is to improve mutual understanding, especially with Bahrain's successor generation. PAS Manama constantly seeks opportunities to engage Bahraini youth on social, cultural, and educational issues. The American Music Abroad program would reinforce our positive relationship with a wide variety of elite and non-elite audiences. ¶4. Priority audiences: Post's priority audiences would include students at the University of Bahrain, members of Bahrain's elected Parliament, representatives from the business and finance community, youth groups, and English language students at post's affiliated English language school (American Cultural and Educational Center). The Embassy would also arrange for a performance at the Bahrain School, post's premiere K-12 American school, to highlight the importance of American music and culture to a young audience. ¶5. Anticipated results: Bahrain has been selected to host the Forum for the Future in November, 2005, which will bring together many nations of the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) and their G-8 partners to advance political, economic, and social reform and progress in the region. Hosting the American Music Abroad Program in the period following the Forum for the Future will provide post with an opportunity to build on the recent successes we have enjoyed in the political and economic spheres by showcasing American music and culture. Bahraini audiences have loved recent ECA offerings such as Cultural Envoys/Georgetown University basketball players Omari Faulkner and Courtland Freeman, and the American Pianists Association Classical Music Fellow, Michael Sheppard. Post's contacts have suggested that the Embassy offer more cultural events to broaden understanding of the U.S., and the American Music Abroad Program would greatly assist us with our ongoing efforts. ¶6. Security concerns: Post programming will be done in close coordination with the RSO. Security has not been an issue with previous visiting American cultural groups, and is generally not an overriding concern. All necessary precautions will be taken, and coordination with the Ministry of Interior will take place as appropriate. MONROE