Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD1444
2008-05-09 11:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
how-toVZCZCXRO9549 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1444 1301124 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091124Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7256 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001444
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: PRT WASIT GETS A LAUGH
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Rob Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001444
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: PRT WASIT GETS A LAUGH
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Rob Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable
2. (C) Summary: In Al Kut on May 4, the PRT sponsored what
was alledged to be the first comedic play to be performed in
Southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Despite a
reported $100,000 bribe offered to the organizer to call off
the play, the much-loved actors of the hit Iraqi television
sitcom Mud House went ahead with a free performance of an
original script, "Nas wa nas" (People and people). The
crawler that appeared that evening on an Iraqi Satellite
channel described the event with typical understatement: "The
Berlin Wall is falling in Wasit due to Iraqi efforts and
those of their friends." End Summary.
3. (U) "Nas wa nas" was performed at the Kut Municipality
Hall, a venue that has the capacity to seat eight-hundred
people. Security for the event was organized and provided by
Provincial Director of Police, MG Abd Al Haneen Hamud Faysal
Al Amir. According to estimates made by Iraqi Police
responsible for securing the site, roughly 4,500 people
showed up for the event. The auditorium was filled to
capacity with 1,500 Wasit natives of all ages, professions,
and backgrounds. Television crews, KSWAT and Iraqi Police
were interspersed amongst the families that filled the
theater.
AMERICAN 'IRAQI SOCCER STARS'
--------------
4. (U) Opening remarks for the event were given by CDR 214
Fires Brigade (FB) and PRT IPAO. As the two approached the
stage, the crowd erupted with wild and unexpected applause.
A local national said the crowd's reaction for the CDR and
IPAO mirrored the way Iraqis receive their soccer stars. CDR
214th FB keyed on the bravery of Iraqi Security forces in
providing security for Wasit residents and PRT IPAO spoke
about the value of comedy and its ability to break down
barriers.
5. (U) The "Mud House" star power and the absence of
political commentary were key factors in the success of "Nas
wa nas." The hour-long comedy followed a traditional farming
family from Wasit on their journey to the bright lights of
Baghdad. (Background: Mud House is a popular Iraqi sitcom
that just finished its second season on al-Sumeria SAT TV.
The sitcom highlights the spontaneity and simplicity of
agrarian Iraqi life in the 1950s. Mud House's popularity
cuts across the spectrum of Iraqi society; the older
generation identifies with nostalgic memories while
university students have borrowed nicknames from the
characters of the series. Filming of the third season will
start in June. End background.)
6. (U) Immediately after the Sunday showing the organizer,
backed by the actors themselves, appealed to the PRT to
support a command performance the next night. He reported
that the second night was a bigger hit than the first and
included an emotional encore by the actors. The event's
organizer said "Nas wa nas" opened a "small hole in the wall
that has been built by political and religious groups in
Wasit since 2003." He remarked that "sports and arts are the
only things that Iraqis agree on."
ISCI REPS NOT THEATER FANS... OR ARE THEY?
--------------
7. (C) According to the organizer, days before the event he
was approached by a man representing ISCI who offered him
$100,000 to cancel the play. The organizer was clear that no
threats were made and proudly relayed that he turned down the
bribe with the Arabic adage "return with the question when
I've lost my honor and integrity."
8. (C) Comment: The event, covered by FOX News and a wide
range of Iraqi print, radio and satellite television, was a
tremendous Public Diplomacy success. The large turnout
indicates that a significant segment of al Kut's population
is comfortable with apolitical entertainment, void of
religious references. While the claimed $100,000 bribe offer
may be invention or exaggeration, the PRT's Iraqi
collaborator proved to be an excellent event organizer and we
have plans to continue working with him on future cultural
projects in Wasit. As for the event itself, no PRT member
that attended has ever seen so many Iraqis smiling and
laughing. End comment.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: PRT WASIT GETS A LAUGH
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Rob Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable
2. (C) Summary: In Al Kut on May 4, the PRT sponsored what
was alledged to be the first comedic play to be performed in
Southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Despite a
reported $100,000 bribe offered to the organizer to call off
the play, the much-loved actors of the hit Iraqi television
sitcom Mud House went ahead with a free performance of an
original script, "Nas wa nas" (People and people). The
crawler that appeared that evening on an Iraqi Satellite
channel described the event with typical understatement: "The
Berlin Wall is falling in Wasit due to Iraqi efforts and
those of their friends." End Summary.
3. (U) "Nas wa nas" was performed at the Kut Municipality
Hall, a venue that has the capacity to seat eight-hundred
people. Security for the event was organized and provided by
Provincial Director of Police, MG Abd Al Haneen Hamud Faysal
Al Amir. According to estimates made by Iraqi Police
responsible for securing the site, roughly 4,500 people
showed up for the event. The auditorium was filled to
capacity with 1,500 Wasit natives of all ages, professions,
and backgrounds. Television crews, KSWAT and Iraqi Police
were interspersed amongst the families that filled the
theater.
AMERICAN 'IRAQI SOCCER STARS'
--------------
4. (U) Opening remarks for the event were given by CDR 214
Fires Brigade (FB) and PRT IPAO. As the two approached the
stage, the crowd erupted with wild and unexpected applause.
A local national said the crowd's reaction for the CDR and
IPAO mirrored the way Iraqis receive their soccer stars. CDR
214th FB keyed on the bravery of Iraqi Security forces in
providing security for Wasit residents and PRT IPAO spoke
about the value of comedy and its ability to break down
barriers.
5. (U) The "Mud House" star power and the absence of
political commentary were key factors in the success of "Nas
wa nas." The hour-long comedy followed a traditional farming
family from Wasit on their journey to the bright lights of
Baghdad. (Background: Mud House is a popular Iraqi sitcom
that just finished its second season on al-Sumeria SAT TV.
The sitcom highlights the spontaneity and simplicity of
agrarian Iraqi life in the 1950s. Mud House's popularity
cuts across the spectrum of Iraqi society; the older
generation identifies with nostalgic memories while
university students have borrowed nicknames from the
characters of the series. Filming of the third season will
start in June. End background.)
6. (U) Immediately after the Sunday showing the organizer,
backed by the actors themselves, appealed to the PRT to
support a command performance the next night. He reported
that the second night was a bigger hit than the first and
included an emotional encore by the actors. The event's
organizer said "Nas wa nas" opened a "small hole in the wall
that has been built by political and religious groups in
Wasit since 2003." He remarked that "sports and arts are the
only things that Iraqis agree on."
ISCI REPS NOT THEATER FANS... OR ARE THEY?
--------------
7. (C) According to the organizer, days before the event he
was approached by a man representing ISCI who offered him
$100,000 to cancel the play. The organizer was clear that no
threats were made and proudly relayed that he turned down the
bribe with the Arabic adage "return with the question when
I've lost my honor and integrity."
8. (C) Comment: The event, covered by FOX News and a wide
range of Iraqi print, radio and satellite television, was a
tremendous Public Diplomacy success. The large turnout
indicates that a significant segment of al Kut's population
is comfortable with apolitical entertainment, void of
religious references. While the claimed $100,000 bribe offer
may be invention or exaggeration, the PRT's Iraqi
collaborator proved to be an excellent event organizer and we
have plans to continue working with him on future cultural
projects in Wasit. As for the event itself, no PRT member
that attended has ever seen so many Iraqis smiling and
laughing. End comment.
CROCKER