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RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0810/01 3650513
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300513Z DEC 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0717
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1379
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COTONOU 000810 
 
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON) 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (ACOOK) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRC OIIP KDEM KPAO KISL PINR ML
SUBJECT: COTONOU REPORTS ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND 
MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS 
 
COTONOU 00000810  001.2 OF 005 
 
 
PAS Cotonou reports the following placements of State Department 
material and articles on Mission-hosted activities and U.S. centered 
articles in the government-owned newspaper, La Nation, and various 
independent newspapers: 
 
Print 
November 4: An article in the independent daily L'Informateur on the 
November 4 presidential election in the United States titled 
"L'Amerique aussi." (America too). The articles indicated that 
Barack Obama and his collister Joe Biden are so popular that if they 
were not declared winners of the November 4 presidential election in 
the United States, people would come to the streets to protest. 
 
November 6: 
An article in the independent daily Le Matinal on the U.S. 
Presidential election titled "Un Black a la Maison Blanche: les 
Beninois saluent l'election de Barack Obama." (A Black man in the 
White House: Beninese salute Barack Obama's election). 
 
November 7: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily La Nouvelle Tribune, based on 
the U.S. State Department transcripts entitled "Presidentielle 
Americaine: le discours de victoire de Barack Obama." (U.S. 
presidential election: Barack Obama's victory speech). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle tribune on MCA-Benin project titled 
"Signature de protocoles d'accords de partenariat avec MCA-Benin: 
pour une meilleure securisation fonciere a Tchaourou et a Parakou." 
(Signature of protocol partnership agreements with MCA-Benin, 
regarding the achievement of land security in Tchaourou and 
Parakou.) 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune on President Barack Obama's 
transition team titled "Etats-Unis: les hommes de Barack Obama." 
(United Stated: the men of Barack Obama). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien on the outcome 
of the presidential election in the United States titled "Election 
Presidentielle aux Etats-Unis: I have a dream ... Et le reve devient 
realite." (Presidential election in the United States: I have a 
dream ... and the dream comes true). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Informateur on the formation 
of President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet titled "Etats-Unis: les 
hommes de Barack Obama." (United States: the men of Barack Obama). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Informateur titled "Bush et 
Obama auront lundi leur premier face-a-face de presidents sortant et 
elu."  (On Monday, Bush and Obama will hold their first meeting as 
the outgoing and the in-coming presidents). 
 
An article in the independent daily Le Matin based on the State 
Department transcripts entitled "Etats-Unis: le discours de victoire 
de Barack Obama." (United States: Barack Obama's victory speech). 
 
An article in Le Matin on President-elect Barack Obama's security 
titled "Etats-Unis: l'un des prochains dfis d'Obama sera sa propre 
securite." (United States: one of Obama's first challenges will be 
his personal security). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Aurore on President-elect 
Barack Obama first government entitled "Obama commence a mettre en 
place l'equipe qui va diriger les Etats-Unis." (Obama has begun to 
form the government that will rule the United States). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled "Obama, le premier President 
high-tech a la Maison Blanche." (Obama, the first high-tech 
President at the White House). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled  " Rahm Emanuel accepte le poste de 
Secrtaire general de la Maison Blache, selon des sources a 
Washington. " (According to government sources, 
Rahm Emanuel accepts the position of Chief of Staff of the White 
House). 
 
An article in L'Aurore on the peace talks in the Middle-East titled 
"Rice pessimiste sur un accord au Proche-Orien." (Rice pessimistic 
about an agreement on the Middle-East). 
 
An article in the independent daily Le Challenge, based on State 
Department transcripts entitled "Discours de victoire de Barack 
Obama." (Barack Obama's victory speech). The newspaper published the 
entirety of the speech. 
 
November 10: 
The following articles were published in the independent daily Le 
Matin : 
 
COTONOU 00000810  002.3 OF 005 
 
 
An article on Barack Obama's tenure titled " Barack Obama: un 
president attendu sur tous les fronts. " (Barack Obama : a president 
expected to perform in all spheres of development). 
 
An article based on President Bush'speech on the election titled 
"Texte integral de l'allocution du President Bush sur l'elecion 
presidentielle." (the entirety of President ush statement on the 
presidential election). 
 
 full page article based on Michelle Obama's biogrphy titled "Qui 
est Michelle Obama? Portrait de a nouvelle First Lady." (Who is 
Michelle Obama: prtrait of the new First Lady.) 
 
An article in the independent daily La Nouvelle Tribune titled "De 
la longue marche de Martin Luther King a une victoire historique de 
Barack Obama." (From Martin Luther King's long march to Barack 
Obama's historical victory). 
 
An article in the independent daiy L'Informateur on the 
post-election conference held at the American Cultural Center titled 
"Election presidentielle aux Etats-Unis: la victoire de Barack Obama 
celebre a travers une conference de presse au Centre Culturel 
Americain." (Presidential Election in the United States: Barack 
Obama's victory celebrated with a press conference held at the 
American Cultural Center). 
 
An article in the independent daily Le Telegramme on Barack Obama's 
victory titled "Apres l'historique election de Barack Obama, Le 
Congres Panafricain pour l'Emergence de la Jeunesse Africaine 
reaffirme son soutien au nouveau President des Etats-Unis. " 
(Following Barack Obama's historic victory, the Panafrican Congress 
for the Emergence of the African Youth reaffirms its support to the 
new president of the United States). 
 
November 11: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily Le Matin on the first meeting 
between President Bush and President-elect Barack Obama titled 
"Etats-Unis: Obama va mettre pour la premiere fois les pieds dans le 
bureau oval." (United States: Obama will set foot for the first time 
in the oval office). 
 
Two articles in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien on 
President-elect Barack Obama and the first lady titled "Barack Obama 
envisage de revenir sur des decisions de George Bush," (Barack Obama 
is considering on changing some of President Bush's decisions), and 
"Etats-Unis: Michele Obama, une premiere Dame, Maman-en-Chef." 
(United States: Michele Obama, a First Lady, Mummy-in-Chief). 
 
An article in the government-owned La Nation on MCA-Benin's signing 
of partnership agreement for the achievement of land security titled 
"Projet Acces au foncier de MCA-Benin: Kalale et Nikki dans la 
barque de la securite fonciere." (MCA-Benin's access to land projet: 
Kalale and Nikki sign a partnership agreement). 
 
November 12: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily L'Informateur on the first 
meeting between President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack 
Obama titled "Etats-Unis: entrevue constructive entre Bush et Obama 
a la Maison Blanche." 
United States: Constructive meeting between Bush and Obama at the 
White House). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Option Infos on the first 
meeting between President Bush and Presient-elect Barack Obama 
titled "Etats-Unis: Bush-Obama: premier tete-a-tete." (United 
States: Bush-Obama: first tete-a-tete). 
 
An article in the independent daily Le Matin on the transition 
between the outgoing president and the President-elect titled 
"Etats-Unis: l'equipe Obama travaille, Bush s'accroche a ses 
prerogatives." (United States: the Obama team is at work; Bush holds 
on to his prerogatives). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien on one of 
President-elect Barack Obama's campaign promises titled "Etats-Unis: 
Barack Obama souhaite la fermeture de Guantanamo." (United States: 
Barack Obama wishes to close down Guantanamo). 
 
November 13: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin and la Nouvelle Tribune on the Mission-hosted 
workshop on national security strategy titled "Lutte contre 
l'inscurit au Benin: les Etats-Unis et le CESA (Centre d'Etudes 
Strategiques de l'Afrique)renforcent les officiers." (Fight against 
insecurity in Benin : the United States and the Center for Strategic 
Studies empower the security officers). 
 
COTONOU 00000810  003.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien on Barack 
Obama's election titled "Election de Barack Obama: les petits Barack 
et Obama se bousculent dans les maternites." (Barack Obama's 
election: babies named Barack and Obama are crowding the maternity 
wards). 
 
An article in the independent daily Fraternite on MCA-Benin's Access 
to Land project titled " Vers une securisation du foncier a Parakou: 
Le MCA-Benin et la municipalite de Parakou signent un accord de 
partenariat. " 
(Securing access to land in Parakou: MCA-Benin and the municipality 
of Parakou sign a partnership agreement). 
 
An article in the government-controlled la Nation on the U.S. 
presidential election titled "Etats-Unis: Sarah Palin regle ses 
comptes et prepare son avenir." (United States: Sarah Palin is 
dealing with the post-election period and preparing her future 
endeavors). 
 
An article in L'Informateur reprinted the entirety of the 
State-Department op-ed on Gender-based violence titled "Campagne 
"16 jours" d'activisme contre la violence faite aux femmes." (16 
day-campaign against gender-based violence). 
 
November 14: An article in L'Autre Quotidien on the Mission-hosted 
workshop on security strategy titled "Securite nationale: le Benin 
appelle a developer une strategie adaptee aux nouveaux dangers." 
(National Security: Benin is urged to develop a strategy suited to 
the new dangers). 
 
November 18: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin on a Mission-initiated activity within the 
framework of the celebration of the International Education Week 
(IEW) titled "Campus d'Abomey-Calavi: l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis 
offre des livres a la Faculte des Arts et Sciences Humaines, Flash." 
(University Campus of Abomey-Calavi: the U.S. Embassy offers books 
to the Faculty of Arts and the Humanities). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune on the IEW celebration titled 
"Cooperation USA-Benin: la Semaine Internationale de l'Education 
demarre." (US-Benin cooperation: launching of the IEW). 
 
November 20: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Informateur on the latest Al-Qaoda message titled 
"Etats-Unis/Terrorisme: Selon Al-Qaoda, Obama est un esclave noir au 
service des Blancs. " (United States and terrorism : according to 
Al-Qaoda, Obama is a black slave serving the Whites). 
 
Two articles in La Nouvelle Tribune on the formation of 
President-elect Barack Obama's government titled "Eric Holder, 
premier africain-americain, Ministre de la Justice". (Eric Holder, 
first African-American appointed to the position of Minister of 
Justice), and "Etats-Unis: la faim guette bon nombre d'enfants." 
(United States: many children are threatened by hunger). 
 
An article in the independent daily Le Matinal on the Mission-hosted 
conference on gender-based violence titled "Conference sur les 
violences faites aux femmes: amener les acteurs sociaux a prendre 
conscience du probleme." (Conference on gender-based violence: 
sensitize the social activists on the importance of the problem). 
 
An article in the independent daily Infos-Plus on the formation of 
President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet titled "USA: Obama met en 
place son equipe." (United States: Obama is appointing the members 
of his government). 
 
Two articles in the L'Autre Quotidien on the financial crisis and 
the formation of President-elect Barack Obama's government titled 
"Etats-Unis: la Reserve Federale (Fed) envisage une possible 
recession en 2009," (United States: the Federal Reserve suspects a 
possible recession in 2009) and "Etats-Unis: le cabinet d'Obama se 
dessine." (United States, Obama's cabinet is taking shape). 
 
An article in Le Matin on President-elect Barack Obama's popularity 
titled "France: un village de 900 ames inaugure sa place Barack 
Obama." (France: a village of 900 inhabitants inaugurates a Barack 
Obama Square). 
 
November 21: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune on the activities to mark the 
International Education Week titled "Harcelement sexuel au Benin: la 
Mission Diplomatique Americaine s'en preoccupe." (Sexual Harrasment 
in Benin: the U.S. Diplomatic Mission is concerned about the issue 
and taking the necessary steps to stop it). 
 
COTONOU 00000810  004.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
An article in the government-controlled La Nation on a World Bank 
2009 report titled " Rapport de la Banque Mondiale sur le 
developpement dans le monde 2009: baser la croissance en Afrique sur 
la cartographie de la geographie economique. " (2009 World Bank 
report on global development : base economic growth in Africa on the 
cartography of economic geography). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Aurore on the recent visit to 
the port of Cotonou by a US Coast Guards delegation titled "Visite 
de la Garde Ctte americaine au Port de Cotonou: la delegation a 
constate le renforcement de la securite." (U.S. Coast Guard 
delegation visit to the port of Cotonou: the delegation noticed the 
strengthening of security measures) and a second article in the same 
newspaper on the formation of Obama's cabinet titled "USA: Obama 
devoile peu a peu son equipe et ses priorites." (Little by little, 
Obama is making his priorities and the names of his cabinet members 
known to the public). 
 
November 25: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily Le Telegramme on the formation 
of Barack Obama's government titled "Etats-Unis: Barack Obama 
presente son equipe economique." (United States: Barack Obama 
presents his economic team). 
 
A front-page article in the government-controlled La Nation on the 
recently signed bilateral agreements between the United States and 
the government of Benin titled "Signature d'amendements aux accords 
entre l'USAID et le Benin: 14 milliards FCFA de plus pour 
l'education et la sant." (Signing of amendments to the agreements 
between USAID and Benin: 14 billions FCFA more for the sectors of 
Education and Health). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien reprints the entirety of the 
Mission-produced press release on the signing of amendments to the 
bilateral agreements between USAID and Benin. 
 
November 26: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Evenement Precis 
and Le Matin, based on the signing of bilateral agreements between 
USAID and Benin. 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Aurore on the signing of 
bilateral agreements between USAID and Benin, and another article in 
the same newspaper on the U.S. efforts to resolve the financial 
crisis titled "Etats-Unis: Barack Obama prt a passer le budget au 
peigne fin." (United States: Barack Obama is ready to scrutinize the 
budget of the United States). 
 
A full page article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the Washington 
Daily File article 105 of 25 November entitled "La violence au Foyer 
est un probleme universel: les Etats-Unis et leurs partenaires s'y 
attaquent de concert." (Violence in the home is a universal problem: 
the United States and its partners are working closely together to 
deal with the problem). 
 
An article in the independent daily Le Challenge on the national 
16-day-campaign against gender-based violence led by the EMPOWER 
project and some local NGOs such as Care International and Rifonga 
Benin entitled "Violences faites aux femmes au Benin: une quinzaine 
de plaidoyers pour reduire le fleau." (Gender-based violence in 
Benin: a week-long campaign to deal with the scourge). 
 
An article in La Nation on the financial crisis entitled "USA: quand 
l'economie se degrade, le dollar remonte." United Sates: when the 
economy deteriorates, the dollar goes up). 
 
November 27: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matinal on the 16-day campaign on gender-based 
violence entitled "Violences a l'egard des femmes: le projet Empower 
au chevet des femmes d'Abomey." (violences against women: the 
EMPOWER project assists the women of Abomey). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune based on the Mission-produced 
press release about the November 24 signing of bilateral agreements 
between USAID and Benin, and another article in the same newspaper 
on the formation of President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet titled 
"Robert Gates resterait Secretaire a la Defense d'Obama." (Robert 
Gates will remain Secretary of the Defense in the Obama 
administration). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme on the issue of importing cement from 
the United States titled "Dossier ciment americain: la Ministre 
Christine Oinsavi met en demeure les cadres de son ministere." 
(Importing cement from the United States: the Minister of commerce 
 
COTONOU 00000810  005.2 OF 005 
 
 
warns government officials in her Ministry). 
 
November 28: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien on the state of US-Iraqi relations 
titled "Irak: adoption de l'accord prevoyant le retrait des troupes 
americaines a la fin 2011." (Iraq: Signing of the agreement on the 
withdrawal of U.S. troops by the end of 2011). 
 
An article in Le Challenge reprints the entirety of the US 
Department message on World Aids Day, 2008. 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune on the 16-day campaign on 
Gender-based violence titled "Lutte contre les violences faites aux 
femmes: Wildaf/Benin engage dans l'action." (Fight against 
gender-based violence: Wildaf/Benin committed to action), and an 
article on the signing of U.S.-Iraq agreement on the withdrawal of 
US troops. 
 
An article in Le Matinal on the 16-day campaign against gender based 
violence titled "Quinzaine contre les violences faites aux femmes: 
Wildaf-Benin et L'Unfpa unis pour un meme combat." (Two-week 
campaign against gender-based violence: Wildaf-Benin and Unfpa 
united towards the same goal). 
 
Electronic media: 
 
During the period of this report, the state-owned ORTB (radio and 
TV) and several privately-owned radio and TV stations broadcast 
lengthy reports on Mission-hosted activities, in French and all 
major local languages. The electronic media was also highly 
interested in the recently held presidential election in the United 
States, as they broadcast news segments about the electoral process 
practically on a daily basis. 
In partnership with WorldNet, LC2 (first private TV station in 
Benin) continued to broadcast the "Crossroad Caf" series. 
In partnership with VOA, Golfe FM (the most prominent Cotonou-based 
private radio station) regularly aired VOA news in English and 
French, from Monday through Friday. VOA news in French on Golfe FM 
is broadcast every morning (Monday through Friday), beginning at 
7:30, while the news in English is scheduled from Monday through 
Friday, beginning at 17:30. 
 
Brown