KUWAITI STUDENTS' TERRORISM TRIAL ANYTHING BUT "MOOT"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000426

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP (JSAWYER),NEA/PPD (PAGNEW, DBENZE),S/CT,
NEA/PI, R

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL SOCI PTER KU ZR
SUBJECT: KUWAITI STUDENTS' TERRORISM TRIAL ANYTHING BUT "MOOT"


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: "The experience of a lifetime" is how one Kuwaiti
student characterized her participation in a course titled
"Rhetorics of Cultural Dissonance" offered at the American
University of Kuwait (AUK). This course was developed with
USG-funding and aimed at countering the influence of extremists and
the arguments used to justify terrorism and recruit Arab youth to
violence. Based on the students' views on the course, expressed
during an informal exchange with Ambassador Jones on April 21, the
curriculum has succeeded in developing critical thinking, respect of
the "other," self-awareness, and acceptance of alternate points of
view. During the "moot court" exercise, which acts as the
culmination of the course, students role play the prosecution,
defense, and jury in a terrorism trial. On trial is not just the
accused, but Kuwaiti students' preconceptions of terrorism,
religious duty, civil rights, and democratic freedoms. Embassy
Kuwait and AUK are seeking additional funding to expand the
curriculum and support its spread from AUK to other universities
(public and private) in Kuwait and in the region. END SUMMARY.

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RHETORICS OF CULTURAL DISSONANCE
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2. (SBU) In 2008, Embassy Kuwait, with funding from the Strategic
Engagement Initiative and PAS discretionary funds, wrote a $60,000
grant to AUK and Dr. Rawda Awwad to develop an experimental course
designed to counter terrorism and extremist ideologies by teaching
students to critically examine the world around them and the
arguments used by extremists and moderates alike. The curriculum
that emerged under the title "Rhetorics of Cultural Dissonance" is
being taught in the 2008-2009 academic year as a two semester course
at AUK with 50-60 students participating. In addition to intensive
readings of Western and Eastern philosophy and political thought and
current news, the course involved digital video conferences (DVCs)
with students at Dartmouth College, AUK's partner U.S. institution,
and will culminate in the simulation trail or "moot court" of a
terrorist suspect. Our simple objective was to have the students
struggle first hand with the issues the United States faces in
dealing with Guantanamo detainees; Dr. Rawda took the project far
beyond in extremely effective ways.


3. (U) During a classroom visit by the PAO and CAO on the opening
day of the trial, the students impressively displayed their
enthusiasm for and knowledge of U.S. legal concepts such as innocent
until proven guilty, due process, and reasonable doubt. Final jury
deliberations will be staged as a public performance in May for the
entire AUK student body.


4. (U) On April 21, 2009, Ambassador Jones visited Dr. Rawda
Awwad's class at AUK. The students were engaged in their final
project -- a simulation "moot court" exercise, during which they
role play the prosecution, defense and jury in a terrorism trial.
In this simulation trial, the accused is charged with treason,
conspiracy and incitement to terrorism; based on his involvement
with an Islamic Center and public speeches in an unidentified U.S.
city. The Ambassador visited on the third day of the trial and
watched the questioning and cross examination of a witness. At the
beginning of the class, the Ambassador and students had a frank
15-20 minute session during which the students talked about their
experience of the class and how it has changed their worldview.

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"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"
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5. (U) The students waxed eloquent about their experience of the
course. They told the Ambassador that "knowledge is power" and they
now feel comfortable countering "ideas with ideas" and engaging in a
dialogue both within their society and across cultures. They said
the course taught them to read and think critically and to look for
the commonalities instead of the differences, which in turn breaks
down prejudices and pre-conceptions. One student said she felt the
course had helped her to expose the manipulations young Arabs are
subject to and to start separating "the religious from the political
from the cultural." One student said the recent speech by the
Iranian President on racism was an example of non-productive
rhetoric. He said Arab and Muslim leaders need to communicate with
other countries not dictate or grandstand.


6. (U) The students' highest praise was for the DVC sessions with
their peers at Dartmouth College. They said it was "priceless" and
showed that the relationship between "East" and "West" is not a
simple equation - the "West" is a known quantity and the "Arabs" are
misunderstood. Rather, said one student, "everyone needs to be
educated [about one another]." They said the DVCs highlighted the
need for more communication and asked for more such opportunities to
engage with American students.

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COMMENT

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7. (SBU) By cultivating critical thinking skills and forcing young
Kuwaitis to examine and accept other points of view, this program is
reducing students' vulnerability to extremism. Embassy Kuwait
supports the spread of this curriculum from AUK to other
universities (public and private) in Kuwait and in the region. Post
hopes additional USG funds to support this project will be
forthcoming. END COMMENT.

JONES