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Viewing cable 07COTONOU159, SCENESETTER FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS, COTONOU, BENIN,

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07COTONOU159 2007-03-01 14:13 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Cotonou
VZCZCXRO7897
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0159/01 0601413
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011413Z MAR 07 ZDK TO ALL DUE NUMEROUS REQUESTS
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9294
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PDAS THOMAS-GREENFIELD, AF/W, AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ETRD PINR BN
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS, COTONOU, BENIN, 
MARCH 9, 2007 
 
REF: (A) STATE 24962, (B) 06 COTONOU 1186, (C) COTONOU 123 
 
COTONOU 00000159  001.7 OF 004 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: Post warmly welcomes your participation in the March 
9, 2007 USG/GOB bilateral consultations.  Your visit follows the 
November Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security Conference and the 
December 2006 official US visit of pro-US President Boni Yayi, 
second-round victor in widely acclaimed free, fair and transparent 
March 2006 presidential elections.  Benin is a strong US partner: 
supportive of regional peacekeeping and anti-terrorism initiatives; 
bilateral education and health efforts; solid on combating 
corruption; and open to increasing US trade and investment. USG 
engagement focuses on the new Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) 
that entered into force on October 9, 2006 and ongoing USAID, Peace 
Corps, and DOD programs.  Key GOB issues include ACOTA and on-going 
support for education and health programs. The talks present an 
excellent opportunity to press the GOB for a site to construct a new 
embassy. 
 
2. (U) Benin is also on track for the Women's Justice and 
Empowerment Initiative (WJEI), a participant in the President's 
Malaria Initiative (PMI), and a viable candidate for the World 
Bank's Fast Track Program in education. We expect the MFA Secretary 
General, just named as Benin's new Ambassador to Brazil on February 
27, to head the GOB delegation.  You will meet and greet Mission 
staff, including a special session with JO and EL officers. Outreach 
to Amcits continues.  There is little anti-Americanism, and the USG 
is very popular with the GOB, press, and general population. 
However, petty crime is a problem.  END SUMMARY. 
 
//BILATERAL TALKS// 
 
3. (U) Timing of the upcoming bilateral consultation coincides with 
a particularly strong USG/GOB relationship - particularly on 
political, military and developmental levels. Benin is a strong US 
partner: supportive of regional peacekeeping and anti-terrorism 
initiatives; open to cooperation in the education and health 
sectors; solid on combating corruption; and supportive of efforts to 
increase US trade and investment. USG engagement focuses on the new 
Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) that entered into force on 
October 9, 2006 and ongoing USAID, Peace Corps, and DOD programs. 
Key GOB interests are to enlarge the ACOTA and existing US education 
and health programs. The talks present an excellent opportunity for 
us to press the GOB for a site to construct a new embassy. 
 
4.  (U) This is a particularly challenging period for Benin. 
Heightened security around the Presidency reflects Yayi's growing 
concern in the wake of an armed robbery attack and subsequent 
shoot-out last December at the presidential palaces gates (REF B). 
Economic and structural reforms prove to be more difficult to 
address in the short term, but encouraging signs of progress exist. 
Recent appearance of "container" gas stations in Cotonou points to 
progress in tackling the informal smuggling and trading of gasoline 
from Nigeria. A successful sale of government bonds in December 2006 
signaled an improved outlook for increasing government revenues. 
Investors found the 6 percent interest rate attractive, and the 
government surpassed its $80 million goal by over $20 million. 
Customs receipts, a significant source of government revenue, 
surpassed 2006 goals by 113 percent. The recent adoption of a new 
law on land reform by the National Assembly is a significant step 
toward improving the investment climate. 
 
//KEY ISSUES: MAKING THE DEMOCRATIC DIVIDEND PAY// 
 
5. (U) Benin President Boni Yayi assumed office with a strong 
mandate, having won 75 percent of the run-off vote in this 
politically stable country. The country has few natural advantages 
or resources to spur growth or endow it with geo-political strategic 
importance. Its GDP growth has slowed over the past three years, 
falling to nearly half of the average 5-6 percent in the 1990s. Life 
expectancy and literacy rates are low, and about a third of its 
rapidly growing population lives below the poverty line. It is only 
Benin's democratic tradition that has qualified Benin to feature on 
almost every list of beneficiaries for various aid programs such as 
Millennium Challenge, AGOA, HIPC debt relief, President Bush's 
Women's Justice and Empowerment initiative, the EU's program of 
direct budget support, and the World Bank's Education Fast-Track 
Initiative. 
 
6. (U) This "democratic dividend" is vital for Benin, but can only 
spur real economic growth if it is combined with improved economic 
governance.  Botched privatizations of Benin's cotton and petroleum 
parastatals, Benin's largest export and import items, respectively, 
combined with difficult world market conditions for both products, 
have weighed heavily on Benin's economy over the past three years. 
Endemic corruption and inefficiencies in managing crucial 
infrastructure such as the Port of Cotonou, also negatively affect 
growth. 
 
 
COTONOU 00000159  002.7 OF 004 
 
 
7. (U) Yayi's top priorities include: ending corruption and 
promoting ethical values and respect for the state; developing a 
strong human resource base by improving education and health 
services; and improving the business and investment climate and 
investing in infrastructure, especially roads and the port. On 
assuming office, Yayi launched the battle against corruption and 
mismanagement by ordering comprehensive audits of all major ministry 
and parastatal budgets. Results released in late 2006 revealed the 
dismal state of government finances. Only $400,000 was left in the 
government accounts when the new administration took office. Between 
2001 and March 2006, over $400 million of improperly documented or 
justified government payments were made. This amounts to roughly 10 
percent of government spending. 
 
//FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION// 
 
8. (U) Government auditors and investigators are pursuing 
reimbursements of improperly made payments. The government also has 
cracked down on the use of ad hoc payment procedures. To promote 
high standards of integrity and professionalism in the civil 
service, Yayi resisted pressure from political parties supportive of 
his candidacy to receive ministerial posts and appointed qualified 
technocrats to all but four posts. He had ministers sign a Code of 
Good Practice in May 2006 and has not hesitated to take stern 
actions. Over the past year, he arrested two former government 
ministers on charges related to abuse of office and public trust, 
and three ministers were replaced when performance did not meet the 
administration's standards. In a further boost to efforts to curb 
smuggling and corruption, the GOB also cracked down on the black 
market gasoline business and cancelled lucrative monopolies to 
escort transit shipments of used vehicles from the port to 
neighboring countries. These businesses are both major sources of 
corruption in Benin. Concurrently, the new government has waged a 
campaign to improve tax collection. Delinquent taxpayers clear their 
debts or see their names published in local newspapers. 
 
//MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT, USAID AND PEACE CORPS// 
 
9. (U) The United States is perfectly positioned to work with the 
new government on these issues and participates in senior policy and 
program discussions among heads of diplomatic missions and agencies 
in a monthly donor coordination meeting. In February 2006, Benin 
signed an MCA Compact, which entered into force on October 6. 
President Yayi presided over an October 9 ceremony to mark the 
occasion. He underscored his Government's commitment to maintaining 
Benin's eligibility for the Compact program, notably by addressing 
the problem of endemic corruption. The Compact includes a series of 
strategic investments designed to address key physical and 
institutional constraints to increasing investment and private 
sector activity in four Access program areas: Justice, Financial 
Services, Markets (which is predominately to improve the functioning 
of the Port of Cotonou), and Land. The Compact, with USD 307.3 
million in U.S. funding and a USD 10 million contribution from the 
Government of Benin, is expected to impact 2.5 million Beninese, 
lifting 250,000 of them out of poverty within five years. 
 
10. (U) USAID and Peace Corps will continue their programs in key 
social sectors. USAID supports a primary health care program 
designed to increase access to and improve the quality of health 
care. Our health assistance promotes childhood vaccinations, polio 
eradication, family planning, malaria control, and HIV/AIDS 
information and treatment. The USAID education program focuses on 
primary education and provides support for Benin's primary education 
reform, teacher training, improved school supervision, and increased 
enrollment and retention of girls in primary school. 
 
11. (U) Peace Corps will continue its programs focused on key social 
and economic sectors such as education, health, environment, small 
business and information technology respectively. Over 100 
Volunteers are working within the local communities countrywide in 
those programs. Peace Corps has enjoyed a successful relationship 
with the GOB since 1968. In 2006, Peace Corps celebrated its 45th 
Anniversary worldwide of which 38 years have been in the Republic of 
Benin without interruption. 
 
//REGIONAL STABILITY AND MILITARY COOPERATION// 
 
12. (SBU) Entry into force in 2005 of an Article 98 agreement (which 
the GOB prefers to call a "non-surrender" agreement) has permitted 
us to significantly increase the tempo of military training and 
cooperation with Beninese forces. Our IMET program restarted in FY06 
and is focused on English-language training in addition to other 
general courses. The GOB also has expressed interest in nominating 
candidates for attendance at one or more of the war colleges. 
Continued IMET funding is an issue. 
 
13. (U) Benin is a beneficiary of the Africa Contingency Operations 
Training Assistance (ACOTA) program and makes an important 
 
COTONOU 00000159  003.8 OF 004 
 
 
contribution to regional stability both through its example and 
commitments. Benin currently has over 1,200 peacekeeping troops 
deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) and in Cote 
d'Ivoire (UNOCI), as well as military and police observers in Darfur 
and Haiti. To sustain these contributions, the GOB would require USG 
support. 
 
14. (SBU) The Beninese Naval Forces struggle to conduct operations 
and, at present, consist of two Boston Whalers, one of which is 
inoperative. Two patrol boats have not been seaworthy for the past 
four years, although earlier this week one returned to operation 
thanks to Chinese assistance. The other remains moored at the Port 
of Cotonou. This is one reason Benin would be an attractive prospect 
for FMF funding. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare will visit 
Cotonou next week. 
 
15. (U) The French and Belgians are actively cooperating with the 
Beninese military, and a military delegation from China visited 
Benin in August 2006. The French also have approximately 20 officers 
who are seconded to the Beninese Armed Forces and wear Beninese 
military uniforms. In September 1996, post hosted the successful 
execution of the Benin portion of MEDFLAG '06, the USEUCOM-sponsored 
ECOWAS military exercise.  It involved the participation of nearly 
60 U.S. military medical personnel and received broad press 
coverage.  In November 2006, Benin and the DOD hosted in Cotonou a 
conference on Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security and Awareness. 
 
//AMCIT SERVICES // 
 
16. (U) In February, post hosted a town hall meeting organized by 
the Consular Section for Amcits to reiterate basic precautions to 
take against Avian Influenza and to discuss security, consular 
section services, and African American History month.  Avian 
Influenza outbreaks in three neighboring countries make Benin a 
probable site for future outbreaks.  All birds tested for H5N1 in 
Benin have been negative, but the GoB's surveillance system is 
constrained by limited resources.  Post has requested assistance to 
support a public awareness campaign managed by UNICEF (REF C).  The 
consular section also has updated the warden system to make it more 
effective in the event of an emergency. 
 
//REGIONAL SECURITY// 
 
17. (U) Benin is rated HIGH for crime and MEDIUM for transnational 
terrorism.  The community in general is affected most by street 
crime in all parts of Benin.  There has been a slight increase in 
carjacking by Beninese gangs over the past two years. There are no 
known terrorist organizations present in Benin, and the Beninese 
Government supports the United States in the War Against Terrorism. 
Embassy Benin enjoys a good working relationship with the local 
police and gendarmes.  Nigerian-style 419 fraud is prevalent in 
Benin as well as the presence of counterfeit US currency and 
counterfeit Franc CFA. 
 
//DONOR, INVESTOR AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT// 
 
18. (U) Donor and potential investor support is critical to Benin's 
success. Thus, President Yayi's first year in office has included a 
busy schedule of high-profile visits with donors and investor groups 
in more than a dozen countries on four continents, including Africa, 
Europe, North America and Asia - a prodigious travel schedule that 
raised diplomatic eyebrows in Cotonou.  President Yayi's visits to 
the oil producing countries of Nigeria, Gabon, Libya, and Equatorial 
Guinea helped to address the problem of gasoline shortages which had 
plagued the country for almost a year. The visit to Libya resulted 
in an agreement to provide 35 metric tons of refined gas oil and 
electrical generators in the coming months and an offer of help in 
the cotton sector. 
 
19. (U) The visit to Nigeria was particularly important due to 
Benin's role as a transportation and transit hub for Nigeria and 
other neighboring countries. Economic and social developments in 
Nigeria can significantly influence Benin's formal and informal 
sectors. According to a 2004 IMF study, unofficial exports 
contribute an estimated 6 percent of GDP and account for about 
one-third of customs revenues. Reflecting improved relations between 
Benin, Nigeria, and Togo, the three governments signed an MOU in 
February 2007, which acknowledged that economic development in all 
three countries will depend on their cooperation. In January 2007, 
Post hosted with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin and 
the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs a seminar to promote 
US/Benin trade and investment, supported by the USAID West African 
Trade Hub and the FCS Commercial Attach, based in Accra and Dakar 
respectively. 
 
//A BRIEF HISTORY OF BENIN// 
 
20. (U) Benin's status as one of the most peaceful and democratic 
 
COTONOU 00000159  004.8 OF 004 
 
 
countries in Africa is a real achievement. In fact, Benin was the 
first African country to suffer from a military coup in the 
post-colonial era, and from 1963 to 1972 Benin saw more coups and 
changes of government than any other African state. From 1972 to 
1989, under Mathieu Kerekou's "revolutionary" leadership, Benin 
lived under a Marxist regime that quickly became unsustainable with 
the end of the Cold War. 
 
21. (U) Benin became a trailblazer in a more positive sense in 1990 
when it was one of the first African countries to undergo a 
democratic transition. A new constitution was adopted in December 
1990, and, in elections in February 1991, Kerekou was defeated and 
peacefully stepped aside for new President Nicephore Soglo. But in 
1996 Kerekou resumed office after defeating Soglo in democratic 
elections, and he won re-election in 2001 in a vote marred by 
allegations of fraud. In the March 2006 presidential election, 
Kerekou was barred from running by the Constitution's presidential 
term limit, as well as a maximum age of 70. On April 6, 2006, 
Kerekou became the first African leader in history to 
constitutionally leave office twice as a result of democratic 
elections. 
 
//BIO NOTES// 
 
22. (U) Boni Yayi, a Paris-educated economist who had never held 
elected office and who had no political party affiliation, 
skillfully crafted a campaign projecting himself as both an 
economically literate technocrat, and the embodiment of change for 
Benin.  By voting for him in both rounds of the 2006 election, 
Beninese voters opted decisively for change. President Yayi views 
the United States as a key partner for his new government. An 
evangelical Christian, he emphasizes that he shares "American 
values" such as the importance of good governance and the promotion 
of investment and economic growth. Both issues feature prominently 
in his government's program. 
 
23. (SBU) Post expects Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General 
Ambassador Isidore Monsi, named Benin's new Ambassador to Brazil 
during the Council of Ministers meeting on February 27, to head 
Benin's delegation to this year's bilateral consultations.  Monsi is 
a diplomat by profession and has held various positions at the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he started his diplomatic career 
in 1983. Until his nomination on March 11, 2004 as Secretary General 
of the Ministry with the rank of Ambassador, he served as Latin 
America Division Chief, Planning and Research Bureau (1983-84); 
North Africa Division Chief, Africa and Arabic Countries Bureau 
(1986-87); Assistant to the Director of Financial and Administrative 
Affairs (1987-88); Assistant to the Director General (1988-90); 
Eastern European Chief of the European Bureau (1990-92); Assistant 
to the Chief of Staff and Political Affairs Advisor (1992-93); and 
concurrently as Director of Communications, Media and Ministry 
Spokesman (2002-04) as well as Director of Administration (2003-04). 
Ambassador Monsi was also Advisor to Benin's Permanent Mission to 
UNESCO from 1993 to 2001 and acted as substitute for Benin's 
Representative to UNESCO from 1993-1997 and 1999-2001. He has 
participated in various seminars and colloquia in Benin and oversea. 
Mr. Monsi earned a diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations 
from Benin's National School of Law and Administration, a diploma in 
International Relations and Economic Cooperation (Berlin), and a 
Diploma from the International Institute of Public Administration 
and from the UN Institute for Training and Research (Geneva). Mr. 
Monsi was born in Benin; he is married with no children. 
 
//COMMENT// 
 
24. (U) Comment:  Following the March 2006 elections that brought 
President Boni Yayi to power, Benin's strong democracy remains on 
track.  Some had questioned its ability to continue as a model for 
Africa since its transformation from dictatorship to democracy after 
the 1990 National Conference. However, an empowered, engaged 
electorate, determined to end deteriorating economic performance, 
mismanagement, gas shortages, rising food prices, corruption, and 
cronyism appears to be taken with President Yayi, an honest, 
visionary technocrat - though political neophyte. Yayi's reform 
agenda, strong anti-corruption measures and outreach to donors and 
neighboring countries keep faith with his election promise of 
"change" for the better. Benin is making significant but tortuous 
political, social, economic and development strides. Upcoming March 
25 legislative elections should provide feedback on whether or not 
the Beninese population will remain patient during the long and 
laborious reform period.  They certainly are exercising a democratic 
right to participate in the electoral process: 26 political parties 
and unions of convenience are vying for 83 parliamentary seats. 
 
BROWN