VZCZCXRO7330
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHPL #0388/01 3151104
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101104Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4269
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0598
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 PORT LOUIS 000388 
 
PARIS FOR ARS 
AF/PD FOR CANYASO, TAYBAR, LALLISON AND PEHRNMAN; IIP/G/AF AMURPHY 
AND FOR ARS JHULIN 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO KMDR SCUL PGOV PREL MP
SUBJECT:  PORT LOUIS: U.S. ELECTION PROGRAMS BOOST MISSION'S 
OUTREACH 
 
¶1. Nearly 11,000 miles separate Mauritius from the United States, 
but distance did not dampen the fascination of Mauritians with U.S. 
Elections 2008.  Responding to the keen interest of its contacts and 
the Mauritian population at large in the U.S. Presidential 
Elections, Mission Port Louis organized a series of events, from 
roundtable discussions, digital video conferences, talks at the 
University of Mauritius, media outreaches to a "pop-in" brunch and 
doubled the dissemination of information on the U.S. Elections with 
IIP products and America.gov articles.  These events have been 
unparalleled occasions for Post to engage key audiences on U.S. 
society and values, democratic practices and mutual understanding. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. An Array of Approaches and Venues: 
   ---------------------------------- 
 
¶A. Ambassador's Media Roundtable Discussions: 
 
The race to the White House in 2008 was followed with much interest 
by Mauritians.  The Public Affairs Section (PAS) planned a series of 
programs on the U.S. elections and kicked off the calendar with a 
Media Roundtable on the U.S. Elections with Ambassador Cesar Cabrera 
on Wednesday, April 16 at the Embassy. PAS invited representatives 
from two leading local dailies, Le Matinal and Le Mauricien, and 
weekly L'express dimanche to participate in the program.  The 
Ambassador made a 30-minute introduction and gave the journalists an 
insight into the U.S. Elections process. He then followed with 
explanations on concepts such as political party rules, delegates, 
the Electoral College, primaries, and conventions.  The Ambassador 
said that these elections are important and historical, with a 
female candidate and an African-American candidate. The Ambassador 
also added that Americans residing in Mauritius and the American 
employees at the Embassy were encouraged to vote via absentee 
ballot. 
 
Ambassador Cabrera was in Seychelles at the end of April on a 
working visit during which he presided over a dedication ceremony 
for the renovation of Grand Anse Praslin Clinic, funded by the U.S. 
Government through the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.  On 
Tuesday, April 22, PAS organized a second roundtable discussion for 
the Ambassador, this time with Seychellois journalists at the Hilton 
Northholme Resort.  The discussion focused on the intricacies of the 
campaign then taking place in America. 
 
¶B. Embassy Speaker Program- Talks on the U.S. Elections: 
 
On April 28, the English Department from the Faculty of Social 
Studies and Humanities of the University of Mauritius welcomed 
Political and Economic Officer Quentin Barber for a presentation on 
the U.S. Elections 2008.  More than forty five undergraduate 
students enrolled in the modules "20th Century American Literature." 
"American Culture and Society," and "Introduction to American 
Literature" listened religiously to Quentin Barber as he asserted 
how this year's U.S. Elections have invigorated his faith in the 
United States as an African-American and emphasized how these 
elections will be a great step forward in the history of liberal 
democracy and human rights regardless of the winner.  At that point 
in the campaign, skepticism was still perceptible in the audience as 
to whether the United States of America was ready to have a 
non-white as President. 
 
By the end of October, the U.S. Elections had captured the 
imagination and fascination of all Mauritians, and all eyes were 
riveted on "Who was going to be the 44th President of the United 
States of America".  On October 29, the Faculty of Social Science 
and Humanities of the University of Mauritius sponsored a talk on 
the 2008 U.S. Elections on the theme: U.S. Elections 2008- What are 
at stake?  Public Affairs Officer Craig White was invited by the 
Department of Communication Studies to join Vijay Makhan, a 
politician and former Mauritian Secretary for Foreign Affairs and 
Commissioner for the African Union to speak on this historic moment 
in U.S. history.  More than seventy students in political science, 
media and communications and sociology attended the event. 
 
¶C. Digital Video Conferences: 
 
Digital Video Conferences (DVC) have always been an important part 
of Post's outreach, so when ARS Paris offered a Five-Part DVC Series 
on the 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections in December 2007, Post 
seized the opportunity.  PAS selected four out of the five DVCs on 
offer and kicked off its DVC series on Monday, May 5, with: Covering 
a Presidential Election.  The DVC focused on election reporting, 
including the covering of political parties and issues and the 
voting process. Georges Kazolias, Instructor of Communications at 
the American University of Paris, was the speaker for the program. 
Academics and undergraduate students in political science were on 
the guest list but audience was essentially comprised of Mauritian 
 
PORT LOUIS 00000388  002 OF 004 
 
 
journalists. 
 
The second DVC was scheduled on Monday, September 8, 2008 a few days 
after the Nominating Conventions and at a time when the U.S. 
Elections were gathering momentum in the minds of Mauritians and 
especially the local media.  The theme of this DVC was "The U.S. 
Nominating Conventions."  It was led by two speakers, Stuart Haugen, 
Vice President of Republicans Abroad in France, and Connie Borde, 
Vice President of Democrats Abroad in France and also a 
Super-Delegate for the U.S. Democratic Party.  Parliamentarians, 
politicians (including a presidential contender), academics, 
undergraduate students in Political Science, journalists, and 
Fulbright and Humphrey alumni constituted the audience. 
 
Wednesday, October 22:  only two weeks before Americans elected 
their 44th President, as the fever of the U.S. Elections of 2008 was 
reaching its peak, PAS welcomed another batch of participants to its 
third DVC series- The Electoral College.  The program was conducted 
by Eduardo Cue, correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, and 
Steven Ekovich, associate professor at the American University of 
Paris' International and Comparative Politics Department. 
Journalists, academics, Hubert Humphrey and Fulbright Alumni 
attended the event.  The Head of the Economic Directorate at the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Usha Dwarka-Canabady, who 
recently attended an International Visitor Leadership Program on 
"Women as Political Leaders" in the United States, also made it a 
must to be part of the program, which participants unanimously 
called "the best yet." 
 
¶D. Mauritian politician- privileged observer of U.S. Elections under 
the International Visitor Leadership Program 
 
Mauritian media made much of the leader of the "Mauritian Socialist 
Movement" (MSM) party, Pravind Jugnauth's participation in the 
International Visitor Leadership Program "I-Vote 2008."  Interviewed 
several times by local newspapers and especially private radio 
stations, Pravind Jugnauth stated that it was an extraordinary 
experience to be able to observe the elections closely as a 
participant in the program. He explained how the participants were 
learning how the electoral system functions and how the elections 
are organized.  He also added in connection with the historical U.S. 
Elections that the way in which elections are held in Mauritius must 
also be reviewed. 
 
The topic was also a major theme during a press conference held by 
the President of the MSM shortly after the departure of Pravind 
Jugnauth to the United States.  Joe Lesjongard stated, "We are glad 
that he is the only Mauritian invited to follow the presidential 
elections in the United States...It is a big honor for the leader, 
the party and the country...This invitation shows the great esteem 
which our leader has at the international level." 
 
¶E. Pop-in Brunch at Ambassador's Residence on D-Day: 
 
In Mauritius, ten hours ahead of Washington D.C., the results of the 
U.S. presidential elections of 2008 began to trickle in at dawn on 
Wednesday, November 5.  Ambassador Cesar Cabrera and Mrs. Helvetia 
Cabrera hosted a "pop-in" brunch at their residence to mark an event 
a former Prime Minister here called "a planetary upheaval."  Over 
100 guests, including politicians, diplomats, economic partners, 
expatriates and the media marched into Macarty House in Vacoas 
shortly before nine o'clock local time amidst a festive decor made 
up of U.S. flags, a big screen tuned to NBC News, an annex room with 
CNN Live, a welcome aroma of coffee (after a sleepless night for 
some) and the sight of fresh croissants, fruits, and hot skillets 
ready for pancakes and omelettes.   After an historic 20 months of 
rallies, debates, discussions and speeches, more than a hundred 
guests made it a MUST to attend this event.   A mock polling station 
was also set up under the veranda. Guests voted with gusto.  Macarty 
House was a busy and noisy place with interviews, live coverage by 
TV, radio, and newspaper reporters, comments and analysis from 
guests echoing from all corners.  The President of the Republic of 
Mauritius, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, also honored the event with his 
presence. 
 
¶3. Unprecedented Media Outreaches: 
  --------------------------- 
 
Media across the world have reported every twist and turn of the 
nail-biting race to the White House.  Newspapers, radios and 
televisions have covered this story on a scale never before seen for 
a U.S. election.  In addition, the U.S. elections 2008 have seen 
more online activity than ever before.  Mauritian media were 
certainly on the front line all throughout the campaign and a day 
before D-Day, telephone calls from newsrooms across the country 
started pouring into the Public Affairs Section.  As usual, Embassy 
Port Louis welcomed requests for interviews with open arms. 
 
PORT LOUIS 00000388  003 OF 004 
 
 
 
On the day of the election, Radio Plus, the number one private radio 
station in Mauritius, aired a recorded statement of the Embassy's 
Consular Officer, Jason Hackworth, who was asked the number of 
registered Americans in Mauritius and to explain how they cast their 
vote.  In its news program at noon, the same radio station conducted 
a live interview aired from the Embassy with the Embassy's Deputy 
Chief of Mission Virginia Blaser.  She was asked to comment (in 
French) on the "ambiance" prevailing at the Embassy in connection 
with the U.S. elections.  Virginia Blaser also spoke about the 
historic aspect of this election. 
 
In its news program (in French) on Tuesday, November 4 at 1630 
hours, Radio Plus aired some "sound bites" recorded earlier at the 
Embassy and comments, in French, from the Embassy's Deputy Chief of 
Mission Virginia Blaser and Public Affairs Officer Craig White. 
They described the "ambiance" prevailing at the Embassy in 
connection with the U.S. elections and talked about the brunch 
hosted the following morning at the Ambassador's residence for 
politicians, diplomats and academics to observe the coverage and 
results of the election. 
 
Radio One, the second leading private radio station in Mauritius, 
invited Craig White to participate in its regular live debate 
program called "Controversy," on Tuesday, November 4 from 1645 hours 
to 1800 hours.  The moderator of the program, which was conducted in 
French and Creole, was well-known journalist Finlay Salesse.  The 
other participant in the program was Roukaya Kasenally, lecturer in 
Communication at the University of Mauritius.  Craig White, who 
spoke in French, was asked to share his views on the electoral 
campaign and the candidates to the president's and vice-president's 
posts and the stakes of this historic election. Along with 
Kasenally, PAO White answered call-in questions from listeners as 
well. 
 
Still on Election Day, the Embassy's Political and Economic Officer, 
Quentin Barber, participated in the "Dossier" weekly program 
broadcast live on MBCTV1 which was on the theme "U.S. Elections - 
D-Day."  The other guest participants in the program were 
Jean-Claude de L'Estrac (Executive Director of La Sentinelle Media 
Group and a former chief editor and former minister), Afsar Ebrahim 
(Partner and Accountant at DCDM BDO Consulting/Audit firm), and Amal 
Goorah (Executive Officer at Mauritius Telecom and a former student 
at a U.S. university). 
 
Political/Economic Officer Barber said that the excellent bilateral 
relations between the United States and Mauritius will not change. 
Barber thanked his hosts for the chance to "tell America's story," 
and made extensive comments on the bearing of American history and 
culture on this historic election.  During the program, MBC TV also 
broadcast a statement by U.S. Ambassador Cesar Cabrera recorded on 
Tuesday afternoon at the Embassy.  Ambassador Cabrera said that 
after the elections, whoever is elected as president, the U.S. 
policy towards Mauritius will not change.  The relationship has 
always been consistent and there can only be improvements in ties 
with Mauritius, a country which is an ally and friend.  Ambassador 
Cabrera mentioned the Third Country Fabric Exemption granted to 
Mauritius by the U.S. recently under the Africa Growth and 
Opportunity Act. 
 
Radio One again invited Craig White to participate (in French for 
half an hour) in its special live program which began at 0700 hours 
on Wednesday, November 5, as early election results from the night 
before in the U.S. were just beginning to come in.  The Public 
Affairs Officer was asked to explain in broad lines the Electoral 
College and elections process and to comment on the situation after 
some of the early returns and early "calls" of Pennsylvania and 
Ohio. 
 
On the day of the "pop-in" brunch at the Ambassador's residence, a 
leading newspaper story about the event at Macarty House stated that 
politicians, diplomats and a big group of the 300 Americans residing 
in Mauritius would observe live the counting of the votes in the 
U.S.  The article mentioned the "innovation" this year of a mock 
election.   Media presence at Macarty House was enormous on 
Wednesday, November 5.  Reporters circled Ambassador Cabrera for 
comments and reactions after the proclamation of the final results. 
Other American officers, including the Deputy Chief of Mission and 
the Regional Security Officer, were also interviewed for different 
radio stations. 
 
That afternoon in its news program in French, Radio Plus reported 
again on the elections results brunch organized in the morning at 
the Ambassador's residence and aired brief recorded statements from 
the Ambassador and some guests (which had been already aired in its 
live special program on the election results in the morning).  The 
other radios also reported on the event and various reactions during 
 
PORT LOUIS 00000388  004 OF 004 
 
 
their news programs. 
 
In its evening news programs on Wednesday night, MBC TV broadcast 
footage of the brunch.  MBC TV reported that "a nice group of 
personalities," including the President of the Republic, Sir Anerood 
Jugnauth, were present at this special election morning.  The 
footage also included short statements from Ambassador Cesar 
Cabrera.  Ambassador Cabrera said that it was a historic election 
and a message of hope.  He added that there will not be any change 
in the excellent ties already existing between Mauritius and the 
U.S.  Electoral Commissioner Irfan Rahman (who helped count the mock 
votes during the breakfast) said that the fact that the official 
presidential results were known so fast should inspire Mauritius. 
 
Ambassador Cabrera was again interviewed on Friday, November 7 by 
weekend newspaper L'express dimanche which dedicated eight pages to 
U.S. Elections 2008. 
 
Post also saw a considerable amount of coverage in the weekend 
newspapers for November 8 and 9, from news reporting to the "people 
page." 
 
Almost all American officers were involved at one time or another 
with the media from Monday, November 3 to Wednesday, November 5. 
This was THE opportunity for the Public Affairs Section to engage 
with the Mauritian population, and the PAS made the most of it.  The 
Public Affairs Section organized and presented a media briefing for 
the American potential interviewees, and prepared a kit with 
possible Qs & As for all American Officers, drawing heavily from 
America.gov.  As a result, American officers were well prepared to 
step briefly into the spotlight. 
 
¶4. Publications: 
   ------------- 
 
An entire list of webchats was sent to Post's contacts and posted on 
the Embassy's website and the Virtual Presence Post (VPP) website 
for Seychelles.  Transcripts were sent after the webchats were held. 
 For each and every single program including talks at the University 
of Mauritius, infopacks with articles on the Elections and IIP 
publications "The Long Campaign: US Elections" "USA Elections in 
Brief", "The Electoral College", "The Candidates" were cautiously 
prepared.  Polls and Think Tanks sent through the AF/IRC List Serve 
were forwarded to all American Officers and a few LES Staff from the 
Political/Bilateral Sections.  On the day of the election brunch, 
PAS provided an Election Kit ordered from GPS Manila, which included 
buttons/stickers for both parties. 
 
¶5. Results: 
  ---------- 
 
The programs organized by Post during the long and intense electoral 
campaign have been acclaimed by a diverse, passionate and fascinated 
audience.  Embassy Port Louis reached out to politicians, 
journalists, students, alumni and social groups as never before.  In 
fact, never has a U.S. election captured so much of the attention of 
the Mauritian population.  Its historic cachet was certainly a 
determining factor in the success of all the events set up by Post. 
Long-term relationships have been renewed and new ones established. 
However, what marked these special U.S. Elections 2008 programs was 
the outstanding outreaches initiated by the whole Mission to the 
local media.  This endeavor allowed Post to disseminate key Mission 
goals such as the promotion of democratic practices, U.S. society 
and values and mutual understanding.  The involvement of almost 
every single American Officer at Post in this mission has set up 
avenues for future and more enriched collaborations between Embassy 
Port Louis and the Mauritian media. 
 
All sections of the Embassy invested considerable energy in the 
programs held in the context of the U.S. Elections 2008 The Public 
Affairs Section certainly had a lot on its plate during the 
electoral campaign, both prior to D-Day and after the polls gave 
their verdict.  U.S. Elections 2008 has allowed Mission Port Louis 
to set the pace for enhanced outreaches with a multitude of 
audiences and is now an energized team more than determined to think 
Public Diplomacy.  The PAS is grateful for the support we received 
that made these events possible. 
 
CABRERA