VZCZCXRO7011
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHKU #1224/01 0981211
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 081211Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3883
RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 1427
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 KUWAIT 001224 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/PI, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD 
ABU DHABI FOR MEPI (HWECHSEL, MHOPKINS) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECLAS. 04/08/2016 
TAGS: PREL KMPI KPAO KU MEPI
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEPIC 4: ABOUT 500 YOUNG KUWAITIES 
BENEFITING FROM MEPI (MEPI QUARTERLY REPORT) 
 
REF: A) KUWAIT 605 
     B) KUWAIT 540 
     C) KUWAIT 436 
     D) 05 KUWAIT 4144 
     E) 05 KUWAIT 2732 
 
CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE' D'AFFAIRES A.I. MATTHEW H. TUELLER 
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  This MEPI quarterly report covers 
key MEPI developments in Kuwait during FY06Q2.   During 
this period, INJAZ/Junior Achievement in Kuwait 
launched its activities targeting almost 300 students 
from public and private schools. CineMagic, a small 
grants recipient, trained six film students, instilling 
in them an appreciation for teamwork and public service. 
Nineteen Kuwaitis participated in and/or were nominated 
to participate in MEPI exchange programs and/or regional 
conferences. During this quarter, almost 500 young Kuwaiti 
students are benefiting from MEPI programs (ACCESS, 
CineMagic and INJAZ projects).  In addition to MEPI 
activities in support of the Freedom Agenda, Post 
continued its efforts to promote political reform and 
there has been considerable progress in several areas 
of the Freedom Agenda, with goals for women's political 
participation and press reform reaching desired outcomes 
well in advance of the target dates.  Post will continue 
its efforts to promote democratic reform, but regrets 
that severe budget cuts have limited opportunities to host 
movie nights, teas, and video conferences.  End summary. 
 
MEPI Visitors Promote LDF 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U)  The Embassy hosted March 28-29, the visit of 
Benjamin Orbach, MEPI Deputy Regional Coordinator, and 
Dima Toukan, a MEPI Specialist based in the Regional Office 
in Abu Dhabi.  The MEPI representatives met with Kuwaiti 
civil society representatives, MEPI program participants, 
the Embassy's MEPI team, Kuwait's Graduates Society, the 
Kuwait Environmental Protection Society, and with the 
Acting President of the American University of Kuwait. 
The focus of the meetings was the recruitment of candidates 
for the MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowship.  Post also 
used the opportunity to exchange views with both MEPI 
Washington and the Regional Office on how to both strengthen 
and streamline MEPI programming.  One option, which Post is 
now testing, is using the Embassy to convey all invitations 
to Kuwaiti participants for all MEPI-related programming. 
The intent is to identify new candidates for programs and 
confirm their participation well in advance of the start of 
any program. 
 
Status of FY05 Small Grants Projects 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (U)  During the second quarter of FY06, one small 
grants project, implemented by CineMagic, was in progress 
in Kuwait.  Members of the Embassy's MEPI team worked 
closely with the grantee to encourage forward movement 
on the CineMagic project as well as on the pending LoYAC 
project: 
 
a) CineMagic's civic-minded film project continued its 
activities into the second quarter of FY06.  Six of the 
expected ten students completed the film school's 
coursework.  Four of the six students have nearly completed 
their films.  The ultimate goal of this project was not only 
a high-quality final film product, but also screening of 
the films as public service announcements at Kuwait's cinemas 
and on television.  The production process is as important 
a component of this project as are the final products. The 
process highlighted teamwork, men and women working together, 
and democratic dialogue, all of which had a tremendous 
positive impact on the project participants who had never had 
the chance to participate in projects requiring teamwork 
and the mixing of young men and women.  The next four 
students are expected to start their training and projects in 
April, 2006.  Their project will be completed as a short film 
of about five minutes, which will take into account several 
issues of civic significance in the same work.  The project 
participants will work as a team to complete the short film. 
All remaining CineMagic projects are due to be completed by 
June 2006.  (Note: Post has requested ESF funds for an anti- 
trafficking in persons project that would expand on MEPI 
objectives by using CineMagic graduates to produce a series 
of public service announcements on labor exploitation.  Ref 
¶C.  End note.) 
 
KUWAIT 00001224  002 OF 006 
 
 
 
b) The Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LoYAC) project on 
summer entrepreneurship training for youth is scheduled to be 
implemented in June and July 2006.  The Public Affairs 
Section has put LoYAC's leadership in contact with 
international institutions that will aid the development 
of their summer internship projects.  LoYAC included the MEPI 
logo in its advertising in Kuwait's Arabic and English 
newspapers and in its summer program brochure. 
 
Call for FY06 Small Grant Program Applications 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶4.  (U)  During Q1 and Q2, the Embassy actively recruited 
applicants for MEPI Small Grants, meeting with prospective 
grantees, promoting MEPI at diwaniyas and through contacts, 
and faxing MEPI information to grassroots organizations. 
Following the Regional Office's extension of the FY06 Small 
Grants deadline, Post also extended its in- country deadline 
for Small Grants.  As of the first week of April, three 
proposals have been received, four more are expected.  Small 
Grant applications, or proposal ideas, were submitted on a 
number of subjects: leadership development training, women's 
development in the Arab world, and on a workshop series on 
women's legal and political rights in Kuwait.  We are also 
working with the following organizations on possible 
FY06 Small Grant projects:  CineMagic, Kuwait Youth 
Organization, Lothan Youth Achievement Center, and the 
Women's Network. 
 
MEPI In-Country Programs 
------------------------ 
 
¶5. (U)  Two large scale MEPI-funded programs also are 
progressing. 
 
a) The MEPI-funded ACCESS microscholarship English-language 
program began in November 2005.  AMIDEAST is implementing 
the program in Kuwait with 200 non-elite Kuwaiti ninth- and 
tenth-graders participating in the six-month long English- 
language program which is tied in to other Embassy Public 
Diplomacy programs. 
 
b) During FY06Q2, INJAZ/Junior Achievement in Kuwait began 
implementing its pilot company program, where students 
organize and operate an actual business enterprise to 
learn how businesses function, about the operation and 
benefits of the free-enterprise system, under the mentorship 
of active Kuwaiti businessmen and businesswomen.  As of 
March 2006, 266 Kuwaiti students from three public 
schools and five private schools began participating in 
the INJAZ pilot program.  From the private schools (American 
School of Kuwait, American Creative Academy, and Bayan 
Bilingual School), 155 students are participating.  From the 
state-operated public schools (including two girls 
schools and three boys schools), 111 students are 
participating. 
 
MEPI Exchanges and Conferences 
------------------------------ 
 
¶6.  (U)  The Embassy's MEPI team has continued to offer 
support to MEPI regional and global activities, exchanges and 
conferences by recruiting, selecting, and nominating 
appropriate Kuwaiti participants.  One area of focus has been 
recruitment for the MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowship. 
The following Kuwaitis participated in or were nominated 
for the listed MEPI exchange programs and/or regional 
conferences during FY06Q2: 
 
¶A.  Regional Conference Participants: 
 
1)  Arab Civitas Conference on Civic Education, Jordan 
    (February 2006): 
-   Dr. Wafaa Al-Yaseen, Kuwait University 
 
2)  MEPI Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders 
Alumni Conference, Abu Dhabi (February 2006): 
-   Sulaiman Al-Khayri, Kuwait University 
 
¶B.  Ongoing Exchange Participants: 
 
1)  MEPI U.S. Business Internship Program for Young Middle 
Eastern Women (November 2005 - April 2006): 
-   Ms. Alia Al-Mutawa, Assistant in Administration Marketing, 
    Petrochemical Industries Company 
-   Ms. Reem Al-Hajri, Senior Investment Officer, KIPCO Asset 
    Management Company 
 
KUWAIT 00001224  003 OF 006 
 
 
 
2)  Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the United States-- 
MEET U.S. (March - April 2006): 
-   Hissah Al-Sabah, Managing Director, Dar Al-Funoon 
    Art Gallery 
-   Manal Al-Husaini, General Manager and owner of Comtec 
    Trading Corporation 
-   Wafa Al-Rasheed, Technical Director at the Kuwait Stock 
    Exchange 
 
¶C.  Selected Participants: 
 
  The following candidates are to participate in the MEPI 
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders 
(summer, 2006): 
 
University Students: 
-   Mr. Khalifa Al-Azmi, Kuwait University 
-   Mr. Abbas Kamal, Kuwait University 
-   Mr. Mohammed Abdulsalam, Kuwait University 
-   Mr. Abdullah Al-Sharrah, Kuwait University 
 
Recent High School Graduate: 
-   Ms. Dalal, Al-Wazzan, Bibi Al-Salem High School 
 
¶D.  Nominated Participants (Post is awaiting notification 
of their participation status): 
 
1)  Democracy and Election Management Institute 
(June, 2006): 
-   Mr. Ali Murad, Director of the Elections Department 
    at the Ministry of Interior 
-   Dr. Jassem Karam, Kuwait University 
-   Dr. Ali Al-Zuabi, Kuwait University 
 
2)  MEPI Independent Media Project: 
-   Mr. Ahmed Al-Ghanim, Thouq Magazine 
-   Ms. Hadia Ghezali, who want to publish a new 
    independent magazine focusing on women's issues. 
 
3)  MEPI-USPTO U.S. Study Tour for Middle East Region 
Public Law Librarians (June 2006): 
-   Ms. Bashayer Al-Randi, Kuwait University 
-   Ms. May Al-Kulaib, Kuwait University 
 
SPA Grant Proposals Review 
-------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (U)  On February 11, 2006, the Embassy's MEPI team 
met to evaluate the Kuwait- related SPA Grant proposals. 
Two organizations' proposals were given high rankings: 
IFES (proposal number 530), and the Kuwait Environmental 
Protection Society (proposal number 466).  The proposal 
from the Arab Organization of Disabled People (proposal 
number 522) was medium-ranked.  The IFES, KEPS and AODP 
proposals each suggested a probability of success and 
included the appropriate target audiences (such as 
youth), and themes (such as democratization and 
environmental civic activism). 
 
¶8.  (U)  The following Kuwait-related proposals were 
low-ranked:  490 - American University, 514 - The Middle 
East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), 513 - The 
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, and 487 - 
Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies. 
Proposals from the following organizations were not 
recommended for funding:  450 - Arab Center for the 
Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession, 
469 - Arab Program for Human Rights Activists, and 492 - 
Arab Penal Reform Organization.  The rejected proposed 
projects tended to be vague, with unclear measurements 
of success or were just not needed in Kuwait.  The 
proposals did not adequately match the Embassy's 
priorities in the field of reforms related to MEPI and 
the Freedom Agenda. 
 
The Next Year of MEPI in Kuwait:  New Targets, New Focus 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  Many of the Embassy's political reform goals 
and MEPI benchmarks have been met, including women gaining 
full political rights, and progress on the horizon for 
electoral constituency reform.  MEPI projects now need 
to focus more on in-country programming.  Kuwait is 
now entering an election year.  Kuwaiti women ran for 
elected office and voted for the first time on April 4 
in a Municipal Council by-election; the first 
parliamentary elections in which women will vote and run, 
 
KUWAIT 00001224  004 OF 006 
 
 
is scheduled to be held in July 2007.  This time-frame 
will limit the ability and willingness of Kuwaitis to 
participate in out-of-country or long-term MEPI 
exchanges or training projects between now and July, 
¶2007.  Kuwaiti civil society leaders and political 
participants will not be able to afford to spend time 
away from the country when campaign preparations and 
grassroots organizing will be required of candidates 
(prior to the spring of 2007), and particularly not when 
campaigning will be most intense (from March 2007 onward). 
Second, overt visits to the United States for campaign 
training too close to the elections and under the 
microscope of an election-year-energized press will have 
the undesired effect of tainting candidates as 
"American candidates," diminishing their chances for 
success. Furthermore, training or development workshops 
far from Kuwait would also, in the view of some 
conservative elements in Kuwait's political spectrum, 
lack transparency and further increase distrust in 
American-trained candidates.  Such an outcome would 
certainly be counterproductive. 
 
¶10.  (U)  MEPI should therefore increase its focus on 
in-country democracy training and campaign support. 
The Embassy also has had a significant budget cut 
for FY06.  Thus, the ability of the various Embassy 
sections to support MEPI has been hit as have all other 
programs.  MEPI financial support for Post's MEPI 
outreach efforts, including for representational 
events, and for Post-run MEPI projects, would have a 
distinct positive impact on furthering the reach of 
MEPI and the Freedom Agenda in Kuwait. 
 
¶11.  (U)  One additional issue of note is the 
consequences of recycling MEPI participants. The trend 
has been to offer MEPI training and program opportunities 
to the same persons.  This phenomenon limits the 
audience of new contacts and provides experienced 
participants little new in follow-on workshops or 
seminars.  We need to diversify the base of participants 
in democracy-building workshops, and develop more 
advanced and focused training topics and methods for 
past participants in MEPI training programs and seminars. 
 
Freedom Agenda Report Card: Gold Star for Women's 
Participation 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶12.  (C)  In addition to advances in MEPI programs, 
there has been considerable progress in several areas 
of the Freedom Agenda, with most goals reaching the 
desired outcome well in advance of the target date. 
For example, Post set December 2006 as the target 
date for the registration of female voters and in 
December 2005, the GOK began the automatic 
registration of female voters through their civil 
identification numbers, registering 195,000 by February 
¶2006.  At least eight women have expressed an interest 
in running for Parliament in 2007 and one, journalist 
Aisha Al-Reshaid, has launched an aggressive campaign. 
In early March, she received a threatening letter 
which authorities immediately and publicly investigated. 
The unidentified author later admitted his grievance 
was against women's political participation in general 
and not specifically against Al-Reshaid.  He had a 
personal stake as well; his brother, a former MP, 
lost in the 2003 elections and the author feared an 
expanded voter and candidate pool would further 
erode his brother's chances for re-election. 
 
¶13.  (SBU)  The appointment of Municipal Council member 
Abdullah Al-Muhailbi to a ministerial position opened 
the field for women to run for office in special 
elections to fill the vacant seat.  Among the eight 
candidates were two women who both wear the hijab 
and hail from Kuwait's minority Shi'a population. 
Their campaigns attracted daily press attention and 
all eyes were on the 28,000 voters in the fifth 
constituency (of which 58 percent are women) and 
how they would vote.  Most did not expect them to be 
successful; nevertheless their campaigns bode 
well for women's political participation. Their 
campaign tents attracted male and female audiences 
and the women have used websites and logos to overcome 
cultural sensitivities about using women's pictures on 
campaign posters.  One male candidate, to reach female 
voters, enlisted his female relatives to campaign on 
his behalf.  The by-election was held April 4 and 
 
KUWAIT 00001224  005 OF 006 
 
 
one of the women finished in second place which 
Kuwait is celebrating as a clear victory for women's 
rights. 
 
¶14.  (SBU)  Despite the successes, women still have 
far to go before the 2007 parliamentary elections. 
Training programs for both candidates and the 
electorate remain a priority.  Local groups, including 
the Women's Cultural and Social Society and the Kuwait 
Teacher's Association have embarked on training programs, 
but still welcome U.S. expertise.  Post looks forward to 
the return to Kuwait of NDI and recommends that its 
Kuwait program include a strong focus on fundraising, 
non-traditional campaigning, and developing a coherent 
political platform and a broad support base. Some of the 
women running for office have made personal status issues 
 -- housing for divorced women, transmission of citizenship 
by women to their children, and the status of Kuwaiti 
women married to non-Kuwaitis -- key aspects of their 
campaigns.  Post applauds them for highlighting social 
inequalities, but by doing so, they have only attracted 
the support of a small group of women, but have not 
identified issues that resonate among the larger society, 
including both men and women who support full political 
participation. 
 
¶15.  (C)  Post has used movie nights, teas, DVC exchanges, 
and holiday celebrations to engage women and other Kuwaiti 
contacts on political participation. Several MEPI- funded 
projects have further advanced this goal.  Despite the 
low-key, but persistent approach, many maintain the U.S. 
played a direct role in the May 16, 2005 decision to 
grant women full political rights.  Ministry of Education 
Undersecretary Dr. Rasha Al- Sabah, at an International 
Women's Day luncheon hosted by Mrs. LeBaron and PAO, 
acknowledged the support of the U.S. to Kuwaiti women 
in the struggle to achieve their political rights. 
Post deeply regrets that severe budget cuts have virtually 
eliminated funding for such events, which are often the only 
time that Kuwaiti women from different political spheres and 
socioeconomic groups come together.  To offset Post's 
inability to fund local activities, the Embassy strongly 
recommends that MEPI funds be used to immediately initiate 
a regional program targeting those countries where elections 
will take place.  With elections in Kuwait only a year away, 
it's essential to conduct as many training activities as 
possible in-country in order to appeal to and attract a 
broad base.  An ideal program would consist of one or 
two-seminars for both women and men and include as speakers 
American and Arab women who have run, successfully or not, 
for public office.  Lessons learned type programs are well 
received and it is important to reinforce that failure to win 
an election does not equate with failure to influence the 
process or affect change. 
 
Solid B on Press Freedom 
------------------------ 
 
¶16.  (C)  Post also set December 2006 as a target date for 
passage of a new Press and Publications law.  On March 6, 
the National Assembly passed a new law which, while 
not perfect, is a welcome change from the 1961 legislation 
that had been in effect. Although the new law increases 
the penalties for publications that violate the law's 
religious clauses, most observers believe it affords greater 
protections for press freedom. Post engaged heavily with 
Government officials, Members of Parliament, and media 
representatives on the benefits of the new law.  We will 
continue to closely monitor the press; include journalists 
and editors in International Visitor Programs and other 
projects to strengthen their abilities and promote 
responsible journalism; and track the launching of new 
publications. 
 
An "Incomplete" for Political Reform 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶17.  (C)  Another December 2006 target was GOK introduction 
and debate on the establishment of political parties.  The 
GOK has identified electoral constituency reform as a 
prerequisite to the establishment of parties and has 
initiated a dialogue with Parliament on the desired 
number and geographical boundaries of the constituencies 
following a reduction in their numbers.  Formal debate 
is scheduled for April 17.  There is consensus on the 
need for reform and its importance to transparency and the 
participation of women, but there is lack of agreement 
on how best to achieve that goal. GOK officials have publicly 
 
KUWAIT 00001224  006 OF 006 
 
 
called for constituency reform, but many parliamentarians 
and political strategists have questioned the sincerity of 
the GOK, arguing that if the GOK were serious about reform, 
it would press harder for reducing the number of 
constituencies.  MP Mohammed Jassem Al-Sager recommended 
the U.S. exert greater pressure on the GOK to redraw 
constituencies.  The Ambassador and EmbOffs continually 
raise electoral reform with Kuwaiti contacts, insisting 
that without it, there will be no meaningful political 
reform in Kuwait.  Post will continue to press for reform 
and also remind that GOK that in order for Kuwait to be an 
active participant in Community of Democracies meetings, it 
must establish political parties.  Post has also nominated 
three candidates for the MEPI-funded American University's 
Center for Democracy and Election Management Institute. 
Post would welcome additional programs and DVCs targeting 
the importance of electoral reform to political reform. 
 
Coming Up Next Quarter 
---------------------- 
 
¶18.  (U)  The next quarter for MEPI in Kuwait is expected 
to be robust.  Post will review FY06 Small Grant proposals, 
begin one outstanding FY05 Small Grant project and complete 
another FY05 Small Grant project.  Additionally, first 
results from the INJAZ/Junior Achievement project ought 
to be available and summer projects will begin. 
 
********************************************* * 
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s 
 
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
********************************************* * 
 
TUELLER