Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS755
2006-03-30 14:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

Embassy Tunis Opens First American Corner in

Tags:  KPAO OIIP OPRC SCUL SOCI OEXC TS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0042
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #0755/01 0891421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301421Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0284
UNCLAS TUNIS 000755 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG (GERMAIN, LAWRENCE),NEA/PD (SMITH, AGNEW),
IIP/G/IR (CBORYS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OIIP OPRC SCUL SOCI OEXC TS
SUBJECT: Embassy Tunis Opens First American Corner in
Tunisia


UNCLAS TUNIS 000755

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG (GERMAIN, LAWRENCE),NEA/PD (SMITH, AGNEW),
IIP/G/IR (CBORYS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OIIP OPRC SCUL SOCI OEXC TS
SUBJECT: Embassy Tunis Opens First American Corner in
Tunisia



1. Summary. In January 2006, in the presence of close to 200
Tunisians, the Ambassador inaugurated the first American
Corner in the country at the Tunis AMIDEAST headquarters.
In his speech to a wide range of government officials,
journalists, students, academics, and civil society
partners, the Ambassador cited the number of ongoing USG
exchange programs in support of Tunisian students as well as
the importance of sustained dialogue and mutual
understanding. The inauguration was covered in two Tunisian
daily newspapers and one weekly newspaper, reaching close to
110,000 readers. Over the past two months, interest in the
Corner has been growing as it has become the site of weekly
film showings and Embassy programming. End Summary.

The Quest for the Perfect Partner
--------------


2. After close to two years of resistance on the part of
the Tunisian government to hosting an American Corner at a
Tunisian public library or university, Embassy Tunis began
to consider another obvious partner, the American NGO
AMIDEAST. In addition to helping manage the Fulbright
program and other USG student exchanges in Tunisia, AMIDEAST
provides student advising on American universities. More
importantly to our purposes for the American Corner,
AMIDEAST provides English classes for all ages and
socioeconomic groups. They currently teach English to over
800 Tunisians each year. Located close to downtown Tunis,
AMIDEAST is open to the public and is already an attractive
destination for those interested in studying English and
learning more about America. The director of AMIDEAST Tunis
was pleased to host an American Corner, designating an open
and sunny area, directly at the front of the AMIDEAST
building, as the home to our collection. He also appointed
a young, eloquent, and active staff member as the American
Corner director, while assigning two other AMIDEAST staff
members to assist her.

Opening Sets the Stage
--------------

3. On January 25, 2006, the AMIDEAST director and the

Ambassador together opened the first American Corner in
Tunisia. Over 200 Tunisians, including students,
journalists, government officials, university faculty, and
civil society representatives, were present at the event.
In his remarks, the Ambassador recalled the long friendship
between the Tunisian and American people, the number of
student exchanges that existed between our two countries,
and the importance of continuing dialogue and mutual
understanding. Both the speech and the initiative of the
American Corner were well-received by the guests as many
reminisced of the "good old days" when the American Cultural
Center was located downtown and was a hub of student
activity. Entertainment at the event was provided by
Embassy Poloff Brennan Gilmore, who sang a variety of
American songs of all genres to the delight of the Tunisian
audience gathered around him. This event was announced by
two daily newspapers and covered by a third weekly paper,
reaching over 110,000 Tunisians.

Good Start
--------------

4. Since its inauguration, the American Corner, which is
open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., has seen
a small but steady stream of daily visitors, many of whom
are students at AMIDEAST but others who are simply
interested passers-by. The Director of the Corner
instituted a biweekly American film showing which revives an
old, and fondly remembered, tradition from the days when the
American Center was located in downtown Tunis. The
Director, with the US Embassy, has programmed three programs
over the past two months, to include a presentation on the
Blues by the Embassy Medical Officer, a poetry reading by a
Tunisian poet who writes in English, and a lecture by
visiting NASA scientist Dr. Joe Davila (reftel). The
attendance varied widely, but reached 70 students for the
program with the American scientist. There are currently
two American AISEC (an international exchange organization)
interns helping to staff the American Corner and to assist
with programming, which has also helped to bring extra
insight into America to the visitors to the Corner.

Looking Ahead
--------------

5. The American Corner provides a new and exciting program
platform for the Embassy, particularly given its location
closer to the heart of Tunis. In this regard, we are
designing a series of programs in the month of April, to
include an extensive American Studies series, aimed at
advertising the American Corner and attracting a wide

variety of audiences. Thanks to an ongoing State
Partnership between the state of Wyoming and Tunisia, we
also recently made contact with the Wyoming State Library,
who is interested in partnering with the American Corner in
Tunis. The PA section is currently collecting books from
departing FSO's so that we can begin a lending library -
this will serve both as a means of funding for the American
Corner as well as an additional attraction to perspective
clients. We will continue to develop this first project as
we begin to search for partners for a second Corner in
Tunisia.
HUDSON