This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000175 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ECA - ASSISTANT SECRETARY DINA POWELL, NEA/PPD - 
CWHITTLESLEY 
LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL SA
SUBJECT: CULTURAL AND SPORTS PROGRAMMING IN SAUDI ARABIA 
 
REF:      (A) 05 STATE 222516 
     (B) 05 RIYADH 9858 (NOTAL) 
     (C) 05 RIYADH 5164 (NOTAL) 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: Cultural and sports programming in Saudi 
Arabia can effectively support MPP objectives and USG 
interests. Cultural programming has been especially useful 
in providing access to the 'hard to reach' groups of women 
and youth, and in challenging negative stereotypes of the 
United States.  Sports programs have not yet been used in 
Saudi Arabia, but could prove an effective mechanism of 
reaching young men and expanding opportunities for young 
women.  The programming environment can be challenging, with 
some educational institutions wary of cooperating with the 
USG.  Nonetheless, creative implementation of seemingly 
uncontroversial programs can be extremely effective at 
supporting USG interests. End summary. 
 
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SUBTLE AND EFFECTIVE 
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¶2. (SBU) MPP goals of Active Anti-Terrorist Coalitions, 
Economic Growth and Development, Universal Human Rights 
Standards, and American Values Respected Abroad can all be 
strongly supported by cultural and sports programs. 
Educational reform and the presentation of 'best practices' 
methods are of significant interest in Saudi Arabia, and can 
be addressed by cultural and sports programs.  Tolerance and 
respect for others, women's empowerment, economic and even 
political reform can be supported by cultural and sports 
programming without attracting negative attention from 
conservative elements of Saudi society.  In "leading by 
example," i.e. programming an American woman to work with 
both Saudi men and women, PD Saudi Arabia can provide a 
concrete example of a highly educated and articulate woman. 
(Ref B) In this starkly segmented society, creating events 
where women are in the position of authority is useful. A 
Cultural Connect Envoy artist who could run workshops for 
groups of male and female artists would similarly encourage 
free thought and expression, which is often missing in Saudi 
schools. 
 
¶3. (U) Mission Saudi Arabia has used creative methods of 
making the most of available resources.  The public affairs 
office in Jeddah has held musical evenings at the CG's 
Residence where the public affairs officer worked with local 
guitarists and talented consulate staff to perform "Arabian 
Blues."  The PAO also has hosted an evening jam session of 
mostly American music with an open-mike. In Dhahran, the CG 
hosted an art exhibit displaying the work of local Saudi 
artists, most of whom were women, welcoming cultural 
contacts from throughout the Eastern Province to the opening 
night.  These events are inexpensive and create spaces in 
Saudi Arabia to support creativity, respect, and cultural 
exchanges. They also indicate that parts of Saudi society 
are interested in cultural events, given appropriate 
circumstances. 
 
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CONSTRAINTS AND CONSIDERATIONS 
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¶4. (U) Within Saudi Arabia, programming opportunities vary 
considerably. Riyadh is generally more conservative than 
Jeddah or the Eastern Province.  Working with the minority 
community of Shia is often easier than with the mainstream 
Sunnis, and can be useful in meeting mission reporting 
interests.  In all areas, cultural and sports programs would 
be time-consuming to organize.  As the public affairs 
sections at the three posts in Saudi Arabia slowly move back 
towards full staffing levels it will be possible to do more 
cultural programs. While VIP visits provide excellent public 
diplomacy opportunities, they also make it difficult to 
regularly contribute the necessary time to cultural 
programs. For all of these events, it can be helpful to 
program prominent Muslim-Americans, both to underscore the 
diversity in the United States and also because Muslim- 
Americans are able to access, and perhaps influence, a wider 
range of Saudi society. (Note: Access to Mecca and Medina is 
limited to Muslims. End note.) 
 
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PEOPLE TO PEOPLE AND THE NEED FOR ART 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) While expensive and time consuming in terms of 
recruitment, the long-run return on people-to-people 
exchanges is powerful.  One recurring problem has been that 
many women cannot or will not travel without their husbands, 
and many have cancelled their scheduled participation in IV 
programs due to the restrictions on accompanying spouses, 
even if paying their own way.  Visual art programming can 
also be very effective in Saudi Arabia, with a 'low-profile' 
approach of holding workshops with specific groups.  Many 
arts and cultural groups are desperate for more information 
and trainings/workshops in new techniques, as the government 
schools continue to gradually eliminate art from the 
curriculum, even while the number of local artists and art 
galleries increases visibly, in both the principal cities 
and the provinces.  In Riyadh, the "Art in Embassies" 
program has been launched and received a good response. 
Performance arts can be successful, particularly in Jeddah 
and with certain audiences of more elite groups. Large-scale 
performances of musical groups can be difficult, given the 
security situation, the lack of a strong musical tradition 
in Saudi Arabia, and the possibility of religious 
disapproval. (Ref C) 
 
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FILM, SPORTS, AND POETRY 
------------------------ 
 
¶6. (U) Film and video programs can be extremely useful in 
targeting audiences with USG policy messages.  In Jeddah, 
for instance, the public affairs section screened "Iron 
Jawed Angels," a film about the struggle for the vote for 
women in the United States.  A follow-up discussion was 
arranged, and DVDs donated by the director were given to 
major schools and universities.  Such programs are 
inexpensive ways to reach new audiences, particularly when 
complemented by a visit from an American speaker.  While 
sports programming has not been used in the past, youth 
centers for sports exist throughout the country and could be 
excellent venues to reach young Saudi men. Soccer, 
basketball handball, and equestrian sports are popular in 
Saudi Arabia.  Youth centers are not open to girls or women, 
and public schools for girls have been forbidden from 
holding physical education classes.  Sports programming for 
women would provide a unique opportunity and post believes 
it could be successful. In Jeddah, faculty at three women's 
colleges have specifically requested programs that build 
leadership skills, teamwork, and self-confidence, all of 
which could be supported by targeted sports programming. 
 
¶7. (U) Culturally, poetry has long been an important part of 
the lives of people in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, poetry is one 
of the few traditional arts continuing to thrive in modern 
Saudi Arabia.  Saudis are avid readers and reciters of 
poetry, and Saudi newspapers frequently publish large 
amounts of poetry, written in both classical Arabic and 
Saudi dialect.  Poetry readings can be successful venues for 
creativity, cultural exchange, and challenging stereotypes 
about Americans.  In Jeddah, the public affairs section held 
an energizing poetry reading in November 2005; audience 
members composed poems during the event.  More exploration 
of ways to use poetry in cultural activities would be 
valuable. 
 
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OFFERING UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES 
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¶8. (U) Cultural and sports activities in Saudi Arabia often 
face many restrictions. Thus, many communities are very 
interested in our programs because they have few 
opportunities to explore art, music, and even sports 
elsewhere.  The US Mission to Saudi Arabia is in a unique 
position to respond to these interests, and we can do so in 
ways that promote our freedom and democracy agenda, support 
MPP goals, and foster the development of common values among 
hard-to-reach groups of Saudis. 
 
GFOELLER