INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: American Author Promotes Dynamic View of Us

Published: Wed 21 Dec 2005 06:38 AM
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 CAIRO 009388
SIPDIS
FOR IIP/T/IS (PLATT), IIP/G/NEA-SA (SCOTT), NEA/PPD
AND NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP EG
SUBJECT: American Author Promotes Dynamic View of US
Foreign Policy
REF: A) STATE 83422 B) 2004 STATE 261067
1. SUMMARY: American foreign policy expert Walter
Russell Mead engaged Egyptian audiences with his
dynamic vision of U.S. foreign policy during three
days of lectures, roundtable discussions, and media
interviews November 27-29. Meads visit coincided
with the Embassys release of the Arabic translation
of his acclaimed book Special Providence: American
Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World,
providing an opportunity to publicize his work and
the Regional Arabic Book Program. END SUMMARY.
2. Following paragraphs are formatted per reftels.
A. NAME OF SPEAKER AND DATE OF PROGRAM: Walter
er
Russell Mead, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign
Relations; November 27-29, 2005.
B. SUMMARY OF TOPICS/VENUES/AUDIENCES: Mead analyzed
current trends in U.S. foreign policy, discussed the
historical perspective of his book Special
Providence, reflected on the place of religion in
foreign policy, and responded to a wide range of
questions on issues such as Iraq, the Egyptian
elections, and U.S. promotion of democracy in the
Middle East. He addressed 200 students and faculty
at Cairo University, participated in a roundtable
discussion with 30 members of the Diplomatic Club
organized by the Egyptian Council for Foreign
Affairs, and addressed 75 students, professors,
judges and business leaders at American Center
Alexandria.
C. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPEAKER: Mead is insightful,
engaging, and personable, whether in a television
interview, a high-level discussion with diplomats, or
one-on-one discussion with students. During this
visit and past visits to Cairo, students found him
m
approachable and surrounded him with questions, often
critical of US foreign policy. He responds
assertively and with the credibility of an
independent observer.
D. QUALITY OF IIP SUPPORT: Excellent. Post very much
appreciates IIPs notification that Mead would be in
Egypt and available as a speaker.
E. IMMEDIATE RESULTS: Meads appearance and press
interviews presented a picture of the United States
as fully engaged as a positive force in international
affairs. At a time when Egyptians were focusing on
parliamentary elections and continuing strife in
Iraq, Meads historical perspective reminded young
people, influential opinion-makers, and media
audiences of the long U.S. tradition of engagement
with the world, helping to counter conspiracy
theories about nefarious short-term agendas. The
timing of his arrival on the day the translation of
Special Providence was released helped us publicize
his acclaimed work and the Regional Arabic Book
Book
Program. Cairo and APP Alexandria have followed up
his appearances by sending out personalized copies of
the Arabic edition of Special Providence to key
contacts.
F. PRESS PLACEMENT:
Mead appeared on Dream TV for a lengthy interview on a
wide range of foreign policy issues, focusing on U.S.
relations with the Middle East after September 11.
The pro-government weekly Al-Mosawer magazine
published a two-page article with photos mentioning
his new book. In the article, Mead responded to
questions on the Egyptian elections, Muslim Brothers,
and political reform in Egypt. He also discussed
differences between President Bushs first and second
terms, commenting that policy toward the Middle East
has improved. The leading independent newspaper Al
Masry al Yom (circulation 15,000) published a story on
his lecture at Cairo University. The leading
government daily Al Ahram (circulation: 800,000) and
the pro-government daily Rose Al Youssef (circulation:
n:
15,000) also published stories. Several publications
have also promised to publish reviews of the book.
JONES
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