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RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0247/01 1661305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151305Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0966
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1461
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000247 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (ACOOK) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO BN
SUBJECT: COTONOU: MAY, 2009 REPORT ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND 
MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS 
 
¶1.  PAS Cotonou reports the following placements of State Department 
materials, articles on Mission-hosted activities and U.S. centered 
articles in the government-owned newspaper, La Nation, and various 
independent newspapers. 
 
¶2. Print Media: 
 
May 4: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Autre 
Quotidien, titled "Grippe A HIN1: les Etats-Unis comptent 160 casa 
averes." (Swine flu: 160 Cases Have Been Detected in the United 
States). 
 
May 5: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, 
titled "Etats-Unis: ce qu'on ne dit pas d'Obama." (United States: 
What Is Not Being Said About Obama. 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien and in the left-of-center 
independent daily La Nouvelle Tribune, about Post's latest Speaker 
Program based on a Mission-produced press release  titled "Un Imam 
americain en viste de travail au Benin." (A U.S. Imam on a Working 
Visit to Benin). 
 
L'Autre Quotidien also carried another article based on President 
Barack Obama's statement on World Press Freedom Day titled, 
"Declaration du President Barack Obama a l'occasion de la Journee 
Internationale de la liberte de la presse." (President Barack 
Obama's Declaration Regarding World Press Freedom Day.) 
 
May 7: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Le Matinal 
titled, "Cooperation avec les institutions de Bretton Woods: Le 
Ministre Lawani obtient six milliards CFA pour le Benin." 
(Cooperation with the Bretton Woods Institutions: Minister Lawani 
Gets 6 Billion CFA for Benin). 
 
May 12: 
An article in the state-controlled La Nation, about Post's Speaker 
Program titled, " Dialogue avec la communaute musulmane au Centre 
Culturel Americain: homme ou femme, chacun a une mission sur terre. 
" (Dialogue With the Muslim Community at the American Cultural 
Center: Both Men and Women Have a Mission in the World).  La Nation 
also carried an article titled, " Etats-Unis: M. Carson assume ses 
nouvelles fonctions de Secretaire d'Etat adjoint aux Affaires 
Africaines. " (United States : Mr. Carson Takes on his New Position 
as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Telegramme and 
L'Autre Quotiien titled, "Un soldat americain tue 5 camarades sur 
une base militaire de Bagdad." (An American Soldier Kills 5 of his 
Colleagues on a Military Base in Baghdad). 
 
May 13: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Etats-Unis: Obama tres 
attendu sur la reforme de la sante." (United States: Obama is 
Expected to Bring Reforms to the Health Sector). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle 
Expression titled, "Proche-Orient: Obama recevra Netanyahu, Moubarak 
et Abbas entre le 18 et le 28 mai." (Middle East: Obama Will Meet 
with Natanyahu, Moubarack and Abbas Between May 18 and May 28). 
 
May 14: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center L'Aurore titled, "Grippe porcine: 
500 cas supplementaires aux Etats-Unis." (Swine Flu: 500 Additional 
Cases in the United States). 
 
An article in La Nation titled, "Activite du MCA-Benin a Lokossa: 
des geometres formes a l'utilisation d'instruments modernes." 
(MCA-Benin'S activities in Benin: Land Surveyors Have Been Trained 
in the Use of Modern Equipment). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, based on the entirety of the 
State Department's op-ed titled, "Les droits de l'homme 
fondamentaux: notre engagement solennel." (Fundamental Human Rights: 
Our Solemn Commitment). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Generation about the Washington D.C. 
launching of a book written by a renowned Beninese Economist and 
Politician titled, "Tournee international du Dr Yacouba Fassassi 
pour la promotion de son ouvrage intitule "En route pour le Futur." 
(Dr Yacouba Fassassi's International Tour for the Promotion of His 
Book Titled "On Route for the Future"). 
 
May 18: 
 
COTONOU 00000247  002 OF 004 
 
 
An article in La Nation, about the certificates awarded to 36 
outgoing Peace Corps Volunteers titled, "Cooperation entre les 
Etats-Unis et le Benin: 36 Volontaires du Corps de la Paix ont recu 
leurs certificats d'appreciation." (U.S.-Benin Cooperation: 36 Peace 
Corps Volunteers Receive Their Certificates of Appreciation). 
 
An article in Le Matin, announcing President Barack Obama's upcoming 
trip to Ghana titled "Etats-Unis: le President Obama en visite au 
Ghana en juillet." (United States: President Obama Will Visit Ghana 
in July). 
 
May 19: 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily newspapers Le 
Matinal and Nouvele Expression, titled "Moyen-Orient: rencontre 
Obama-Netanyahu a la Maison Blanche." (Middle-East: Meeting Between 
Obama and Netanyahu at the White House). 
 
May 20: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore, titled 
"Bill Clinton devient l'Emissaire Special de l'Onu en Haiti." (Bill 
Clinton Becomes United Nations' Special Emissary to Haiti). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled, "Realisation de plans fonciers 
ruraux avec la technique Gps: une realite au Benin grace a 
MCA-Benin." (Performing rural land surveys with GPS technology : 
This has Become a Reality in Benin thanks to MCA-Benin's 
Assistance). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily La Nouvelle 
Tribune titled, "Projet Acces au Foncier: MCA-Benin aguerrit 50 
Experts Geometres." (Access to Land Project: MCA-Benin Trains 50 
Land Surveyors). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme titled, "Environnement-Etats-Unis - 
Industrie Automobile: Barack Obama s'attaque a la pollution 
automobile." (Environment - Barack Obama Attacks Pollution Caused by 
Automobiles). 
 
An article in La Nation, titled "Obama-Netanyahu: inquietude en 
Israel sur un froid avec washington." (Obama-Netanyahu : Israel is 
Concerned About a Possible Cooling in Relations with Washington). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Le Challenge, 
based on the entirety of the transcript of the news article by Mr. 
James Jones titled "Celebration des 100 jours de Barack Obama: un 
nouvel engagement pour le 21eme sihcle." (Celebration of Barack 
Obama's First 100 Days:A New Commitment For the 21stCentury).  Le 
Challenge also carried an article titled, "Pour sa premiere visite 
en Afrique en tant que President des Etats-Unis, Barack Obama sera 
au Ghana les 10 et 11 juillet 2009." (For His First Trip to Arica as 
President of the United States, Barack Obama will be in Ghana on 
July 10 through July 11). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle 
Generation titled, "Realisation des plans fonciers ruraux: MCA-Benin 
forme des geometres." (Achievement of Land Security in Rural Areas: 
MCA-Benin Trains Land Surveyors). 
 
Nouvelle Expression carried two other articles titled "Benjamin 
Netanyahu acheve sa visite sous pression a Washington." (Benjamin 
Netanyahu Ends His Visit to Washington Under Pressure), and "Bill 
Clinton nomme emissaire de l'Onu a Haiti." (Bill Clinton Appointed 
as UN Emissary to Haiti). 
 
Two articles in L'Autre Quotidien titled,  "Securisation et acces au 
foncier: formation des geometres: MCA-Benin introduit la technologie 
Gps." (Access to Land Project and Training of Land Surveyors : 
MCA-Benin Introduces GPS Technology), and "Le vice-President 
Americain Joe Biden en visite en Bosnie." (U.S. Vice President Joe 
Biden visits  Bosnia). L'Autre Quotodien carried a third article 
titled, "Obama et Netanyahu mettent leurs divergences au grand 
jour." (Obama and Netanyahu Make Their Disagreements Well Known to 
the Public). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Projet Acces au foncier: 
MCA-Benin aguerrit 50 Experts geometres." (Access to Land Project: 
MCA-Benin Trains 50 Land Surveyors). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite 
titled, "Formation en arbitrage commercial international au Benin: 
MCA-Benin oeuvre pour l'amelioration de la gestion des differends 
commerciaux." (Training in International Commercial Dispute 
Settlements: MCA-Benin is Working to Improve the Settlement of 
Commercial Disputes). 
 
May 22: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Etats-Unis: Obama 
reaffirme sa volonte de fermer Guantanamo." (United States: Obama 
 
COTONOU 00000247  003 OF 004 
 
 
Reaffirms his Willingness to Close Down Guantanamo). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien titled, "Economy: the United States 
are Interested in the Angolan Market). 
 
An article in La Nation titled, "Birmanie: Hillary Clinton juge le 
proces d'Aung San Suu de scandaleux." (Burma: Hillary Clinton 
Describes the Trial of Aung San Suu as Scandalous). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression titled, "Obama fait front dans la 
tourmente sur la prison de Guantanamo." (Obama Remains Firm in the 
Debate About the Closing of Guantanamo). 
 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Partenariat MCA-Benin 
/CameC-CCIB: des arbitres et mediateurs outilles." (Partenership 
Between MCA-Benin and a Component of the Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry of Benin: Training of Commercial Mediators). 
 
May 25: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the centrist independent daily, Le Municipal, titled, 
"Cooperation entre le Benin et les Etats-Unis: 36 Volontaires du 
Corps de la Paix en fin de mission au Benin."(Cooperation between 
Benin and the United States: 36 Peace Corps Volunteers End Their 
Mission to Benin). 
 
An article in La Nation titled, "Formation du MCA-Benin au profit du 
CAMeC-CCIB : Mediateurs, Arbitres et staff recoivent leurs 
parchemins." (MCA-Benin Trains the Staff of the Beninese Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry of Benin: the Mediators, the Referees and the 
Members of Staff Receive Their Certificates). 
 
An announcement in L'Autre Quotidien titled, "Programme National du 
Benin pour le Millenium Challenge Account MCA-Benin: Appel a 
candidatures pour le recruitement du personnel de la Commission 
Nationale d'Appui a l'obtention des titres fonciers."(National 
Program of Benin for the Millenium Challenge Account: Job 
Announcement for Recruiting Eligible and Qualified Staff to Serve in 
the National Committee for the Delivery of Land Security License). 
 
 
 
May 26: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Cooperation U.S.-Benin: 
les etudiants de l'ENEAM s'informent sur MCA-Benin."(The Students of 
the National School of Economics, Administration and Management are 
Learning About the Functioning of MCA-Benin). 
 
An article in Le Matin titled, "Millenium Challenge Account Benin: 
le Conseil Consultatif en session." (Holding of MCA-Benin's 
Consultative Council). Le Matin also carried an article titled, 
"Cour Supreme des Etats-Unis: Obama nomme la premiere Juge 
hispanique. "(Supreme Court of the United States: Obama Appoints the 
First Hispanic Female Attorney). 
 
May 27: 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the state controlled La Nation and in the independent 
daily newspapers Nouvelle Expression, L'Autre Quotidien, La Nouvelle 
Tribune and Fraternite titled, "7eme session du Conseil Consultatif 
de MCA-Benin: preparer le dernier trimestre de l'annee 3 du 
programme."(Seventh Session of the Consultative Council: 
Preparations for the Last Trimester of the Third Year of the 
Program). 
 
Nouvelle Expression also carried an article titled : "Obama nomme la 
premiere juge hispanique a la Cour Supreme." (Obama Appoints the 
First Hispanic Female Attorney to the Supreme Court). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Aurore, 
titled, "Barack Obama en Arabie Saoudite le 3 juin." (Barack Obama 
Will Visit Saudi-Arabia on June 3). 
 
May 28: 
An article in La Nation titled, "Etats-Unis: la faillite ineluctable 
apres l'echec de la restructuration de la dette."(United States 
Bankruptcy Becomes Unavoidable Following the Failure of Debt 
Restructuring). 
 
¶3. Electronic Media: 
 
During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station, 
covering the entire country, broadcast lengthy reports on most 
Mission-hosted activities in French and all major local languages. 
Several privately-owned radio and TV stations, including the most 
prominent Cotonou-based Golfe TV and a new VOA partner, Canal 3, 
also covered most Mission events.  In partnership with VOA, Golfe FM 
 
COTONOU 00000247  004 OF 004 
 
 
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. 
A former WorldNet partner, LC2, continues to broadcast the Crossroad 
Cafe series in English. 
 
RAWLINGS