FREEDOM AGENDA: POST HOSTS YOUNG DEMOCRATIC

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002751 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM KU FREEDOM AGENDA SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: POST HOSTS YOUNG DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS AND HIGHLIGHTS ARABIC TRANSLATION OF SHRD REPORT REF: STATE 53585 Youth activists played an especially prominent role in the process leading to the dissolution of Kuwait's parliament and in the frenetic subsequent election campaign, the first in which women candidates were allowed to run. Post held a representational event at the residence of the Charge on July 3 to recognize the contribution of young people and to encourage them to continue their activism. The attendees included approximately 25 campaign workers, political activists from the "Orange Movement" and bloggers, most of whom were in their twenties or early thirties. Attendees shared their experiences over the past several months with each other and with Embassy staff. They also discussed ways in which they can continue the momentum of political reform. The Charge used the opportunity to highlight the publication on Post's public website (kuwait.usembassy.gov) of the Supporting Human Rights and Democracy Report in Arabic and English (reftel). He noted that the United States supports democratization around the world and congratulated Kuwait on its democratic accomplishments. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * TUELLER