Cablegate: Media Iv Program Positively Effects Tunisian

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

UNCLAS TUNIS 001093

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ECA/PE/V/R/N (KOTOB/MOODY); NEA/PPD (GLAZIER);
NEA/MAG (LAWRENCE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL TS
SUBJECT: Media IV Program Positively Effects Tunisian
Journalist

1. SUMMARY: Abderraouf Mkadmi, an editor at the most
widely-read and anti-American Tunisian daily newspaper,
returned from the March "Role of the Media" program with
profound respect for the American people. Mkadmi noted
that, upon his return to Tunisia, he was struck at the
negative ramifications that his paper's angry
denouncement of U.S. policy could have on both the
American and Tunisian societies, and he expressed a
determination to use his newspaper to help distinguish
between U.S. foreign policy and American society. END
SUMMARY.

2. ACTIVITY: FY-05 RP "Role of the Media in the U.S.";
EVDB Project number 2005-0007.

3. DATES: March 14 - April 1, 2005

4. OBJECTIVE: To give participants a better
understanding of the special role that the media plays in
the United States. In the case of Mr. Mkadmi, our goal
was two-fold: to provide him insight into the importance
of a free and responsible media and to bring him face-to-
face with citizens of a country that is daily vilified in
his newspaper.

5. MPP GOAL: Democracy and Mutual Understanding.

6. IMPACT: Outstanding. As mentioned, Mr. Mkadmi is an
editor at the most widely-read and anti-American daily in
Tunisia. His overwhelmingly positive experience in
getting to know the American people and the opportunity
to better understand the way that a responsible and free
press can serve a government and its people profoundly
affected his view of the U.S. and is shaping his work at
his newspaper. He noted that, after this tour, he was
almost embarrassed to acknowledge the sad state of the
press in his country. Mr. Mkadmi was most impressed with
the kindness and warmth of the American people. He
recounted with emotion their attendance of a rodeo in
Texas, during which the Americans present applauded and
cheered when it was announced that there were Arab
journalists present. Mr. Mkadmi also was deeply moved by
the "humility" of all of the American people with whom
they met. He noted that, regardless of the rank and
stature of the interlocutor, all of the American
officials or individuals with whom he met exhibited
modesty and humility, and a genuine interest in learning
about the Arab journalists's point of view.

7. CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: Mr. Mkadmi complimented the
program organization. He enjoyed the home hospitality. He
experienced no airport delays, and said that he completed
entry formalities at Dulles in 15 minutes.

8. BRINGING LESSONS BACK HOME: Mr. Mkadmi shared his
experiences with the over 80,000 Tunisian readers of his
newspaper in a four-part series on his experience. While
constrained by the anti-American editorial line of his
paper, Mkadmi made a point of underlining positive
aspects of American society such as the power of
capitalism, the strength of American science and
research, and the willingness of American people to
engage with the Arab world. His determination to improve
Tunisian views of the American people was exemplified in
a recent editorial written in connection with the
allegations of desecration of a Koran in Guantanamo.
While other articles severely criticized the U.S.,
Mkadmi's article noted that it was important to remember
that an Arab-American museum just opened in Michigan and
argued that any decision to disrespect Islam was not
reflective of the entire American society.

9. QUALITY OF ECA AND PROGRAM AGENCY SUPPORT: Excellent.

HUDSON

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