BAGHDAD REQUESTS PARTICIPATION IN IIP'S STRATEGIC SPEAKER

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003629 SIPDIS STATE PASS TO ECA/PE/C/CU, NEA/PPD, NEA/I E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL IZ SUBJECT: BAGHDAD REQUESTS PARTICIPATION IN IIP'S STRATEGIC SPEAKER INITIATIVE WITH WALTER RUSSELL MEAD ¶1. (U) Summary: Embassy Baghdad requests participation in the Speaker and Specialist Program by hosting Walter Russell Mead in early January. Post would like to organize a program which utilizes Mead to engage Iraqis who are interested and engaged in international issues. Our audience will consist of important mission contacts, including some our strongest NGO and academic partners in Baghdad who have limited access to American intellectuals. End summary. PROGRAM OVERVIEW ¶2. (U) Post proposes a three-day program, not counting travel days, featuring Walter Russell Mead engaging with a variety of local audiences. Day 1 will start with a meeting and lunch with the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and staff from both the Embassy and the Ministry. Following that, Mead will be the guest at a representational event at the Ambassador's Residence with a select group of Iraqi authors. On Day 2, Mead will present to a convening of the International Relations and Political Science Departments at the University of Baghdad. This will be followed in the afternoon by a discussion session with Baghdad-based NGOs that are focused on international issues, peace studies, and democracy-building. On Day 3, Mead will participate in a media engagement with selected Iraqi press in order to create opportunities for promoting a positive message regarding U.S. intentions in the Middle East. - PUBLIC DIPLOMACY THROUGH INTELLECTUAL DIALOGUE - ¶3. (U) In order to continue to build better relationships with Iraqis from several facets of society, post is interested in creating a series of dialogue opportunities which will address regional multilateral cooperation and other imperative political issues. Post has attempted to bring Walter Russell Mead to Iraq two times previously but security considerations have prevented the implementation of the trip. Due to improvements in access and safety, coupled with the increased interest in Iraq-American relations because of the current security agreement negotiations, post believes it is time to engage Iraqis with high-level discussion on these matters with a well-regarded, non-Embassy source. - ITINERARY - ¶4. (U) The proposed itinerary follows: -- Sunday, January 4: Mead arrives in Baghdad. -- Monday, January 5: Meeting with the Iraq Minister of Foreign Affairs and higher level staff from the Ministry and the U.S. Embassy followed by a representational event at the Ambassador's Residence with well-known Iraqi authors. -- Tuesday, January 6: Presentation to faculty and students at the University of Baghdad's International Relations and Political Science Departments followed by a separate discussion group session with several Baghdad-based NGOs. -- Wednesday, January 7: Media engagement with Iraqi press to talk about issues regarding international cooperation and geopolitical peace concerns. -- Thursday, January 8: Mead leaves Baghdad for next post. - POST SUPPORT - ¶5. (U) Post is prepared to generate the audience, build partnerships with local co-hosting organizations, provide translation, lodging, meals, security, in-country transportation and address all technical aspects associated with this program. CROCKER