Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANAMA889
2005-06-22 08:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

BAHRAIN: REQUEST FOR AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD

Tags:  OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO BA 
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220801Z Jun 05
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

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