US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT3552

UNCLAS KUWAIT 003552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, OEXC, SCUL, XF, KU 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS YES STUDENTS AS NEW GROUP HEADS 
TO U.S. FOR JUNIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  On Sunday, August 6, 2005, the Ambassador 
hosted a reception at his residence for past and present 
Kuwaiti participants in the YES program, their parents and 
AMIDEAST-Kuwait officials.  Attendees said that they loved 
being invited to the Embassy.  The event earned wide 
positive press coverage promoting the YES and other 
exchange programs.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  A mix of sixty guests, including past and current YES 
students, their abaya- or dishdasha-clad parents and 
AMIDEAST-Kuwait officials, mingled with Emboffs at the 
Ambassador's residence.  The Ambassador's remarks had a 
visible impact on the guests as he stressed that exchange 
programs were a "strategic element of U.S. foreign policy" 
because such exchanges bridge the gaps of misunderstanding 
between America and the Arab world. 
 
3.  Twelve new YES students, who departed Kuwait during the 
early morning hours of August 9, listened attentively as 
the Ambassador wished them well and urged them to act as 
Kuwaiti Ambassadors, showing American youth that they and 
Kuwaiti youth "have similar aspirations and goals for 
education." 
 
4.  One departing student, heading to Las Vegas, was quoted 
in the papers saying that the YES program was a way to 
"introduce Kuwaiti culture to the American people."  He 
added, "I believe I will return a better person in all 
aspects, and I especially want to speak fluent English and 
learn to play baseball." 
 
5.  One of the alumni, Batool Hassan, who attended high 
school in Escondido, California, commented in the 
newspapers that her group left Kuwait "as kids and returned 
as men and women."  She continued, "the experience made me 
stronger and more confident" and that the American people 
were "warm and welcoming." 
 
6.  AMIDEAST colleagues informed PAS staff that the 
students and parents said after the event that they were 
thrilled to be hosted by the Ambassador in his residence. 
They said the event really made them "feel important." 
 
7.  Kuwait is now in its third year of the YES program, 
with six participants in 2003-2004, twelve participants in 
2004-2005, and twelve participants for 2005-2006.  All 
participants have said that the experience was 
transformational. 
 
8.  The reception received positive coverage with articles 
and numerous pictures in all eight of the Kuwaiti dailies: 
- Al-Anba, 8/8/05, p. 7, Arabic, circ. 40,000 
- Al-Qabas, 8/8/05, p. 6, Arabic, circ. 65,000 
- Al-Rai Al-Aam, 8/8/05, p. 11, Arabic, circ. 80,000 
- Al-Seyassah, 8/8/05, p. 7, Arabic, circ. 45,000 (one- 
third of the page) 
- Al-Watan, 8/8/05, p.4, Arabic, circ. 65,000 
- Arab Times, 8/8/05, p. 2, English, circ. 40,000, 
(Headline:  Exchange programs strategic element of US 
foreign Policy) 
- Kuwait Times, 8/8/05, p. 6, English, circ. 35,000 (half- 
page) 
- The Daily Star, 8/8/05, p. 1, English, circ. 15,000 
- For pictures of the event and links to the Kuwait News 
Agency Report, please visit the Embassy's public website 
at:  http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/pr_08062005.html 
 
9.  POST COMMENT:  The YES program is an outstanding tool 
for reaching the youth audience in Kuwait.  Post and host- 
country individuals and educational institutions agree that 
YES is an extremely valuable exchange program.  In addition 
to creating young Kuwaitis knowledgeable on what makes 
America and Americans tick, it empowers a youth group 
equipped to inform their peer group on U.S. society and 
values and instills in most alumni a desire to continue 
their future studies in America.  In fact, one YES alumnus 
from 2004-2005 decided to return to Dayton as a foreign 
student to finish his high school education there this 
year.  END COMMENT. 
 
 
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Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
 
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State Department's Classified SIPRNET website 
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LEBARON