VZCZCXRO0060
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0552/01 2041216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231216Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9703
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/COMUSNAVEUR NAPLES IT
RUCOCGA/COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA//AE//
RUCOWCA/COGARD MIO EUROPE ROTTERDAM NL
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MILLENIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHDC
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1130

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA 
ROTTERDM FOR ROB KEITH 
NAVEUR FOR MORALES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MASS EWWT PREL BN
SUBJECT:  BENIN: VISIT OF USN AND USCG VICE ADMIRALS FOCUSES ON 
MARITIME COOPERATION 
 
REF: COTONOU 389 
 
COTONOU 00000552  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: Vice-Admiral John D. Stufflebeem (U.S. Navy) and 
Vice-Admiral David Peterman (U.S. Coast Guard) visited Cotonou on 
May 22, 2007.  They had productive meetings with top military, 
transportation and Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) port officials 
and were able to tour and see firsthand the challenges faced by PAC 
officials in complying with ISPS standards. END SUMMARY 
 
MEETING AT DEFENSE MINISTRY 
------------------------ 
 
¶2. VADM Stufflebeem and VADM Peterman, along with the Ambassador, 
met with the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defense, General 
Hessou (appointed Interior Minister on June 19). 
Stufflebeem applauded the USG/GOB mil/mil cooperation, Benin's 
efforts generally to enhance regional security, and specifically 
co-hosting the November 2006 Maritime Awareness and Security 
Conference in Cotonou.  Referring to the USCG report on the Cotonou 
Port, he expressed appreciation for GOB efforts to comply with 
international standards, stating that treatment of foreign vessels 
at US ports depended largely on previous ports they had visited. 
The PAC's security was important to protecting the global supply 
chain in addition to its key role in regional and Benin's economic 
development.  VADM Stufflebeem noted USG plans to establish an 
AFRICOM in which the USCG would play an important role.  VADM 
Stufflebeem described an October 2007 U.S. naval mission to West 
Africa for training various coast guards and navies and hoped Benin 
would participate.  He said Beninese peacekeepers are highly 
respected for their professionalism and expertise and asked for 
patience with regard to restoration of IMET funding for Benin.  VADM 
Peterman expressed appreciation for GOB hospitality, noting 
long-standing cooperation with the GOB Navy. 
 
¶3.  General Hessou said the US and Benin shared common objectives, 
including those related to counterterrorism and welcomed the October 
naval training mission and AFRICOM as a more practical way to 
enhance existing good cooperation with EUCOM.  Benin had not 
received any invitation to a follow-on maritime security conference 
from Angola but planned to attend one in early June on coastal 
security issues in Togo organized by the French.  Hessou welcomed 
future USCG "professional reinforcement" of Benin's navy and said 
that Benin peacekeepers' professionalism is due in large part to 
"solid USG experience and training," which he hoped would continue. 
 
MEETING WITH TRANSPORT MINISTER 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4.  In opening remarks, the Ambassador introduced the Vice Admirals' 
visit as a follow-up to the November 2007 maritime security 
conference, August 2006 USCG mission's subsequent report on the Port 
of Cotonou, and an opportunity to exchange views on mutual issues of 
interest.  VADM Peterman took the lead on the meeting with Minister 
of Transportation and Public Works Richard Senou and Port officials. 
 (NOTE: Minister Senou was dismissed from his position in the June 
19 government reshuffle.  END NOTE.)  VADM Peterson highlighted the 
importance of cooperation on regional security issues and offered to 
host a US visit by GOB officials to see how USCG works.  VADM 
Stufflebeem noted that illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking 
impact us all.  VADM Peterman stressed the need for the PAC to 
comply with ISPS minimum standards as outlined in the Coast Guard's 
recent report (Ref C).  Minister Senou agreed that these items were 
important and reminded the American delegation that they are 
important to the Beninese as well.  He also emphasized the need for 
close cooperation between the two parties. 
 
¶5. Transport Minister Senou said that Benin was more concerned than 
the US about international standards of security and competitiveness 
of the Port and already were taking measures to respond to the USCG 
report.  The Port's Director General made the same point, referring 
to the Ambassador's demarche.  He said that they had a "lot to learn 
from the Americans" and would be happy to receive one of the four 
USCG co-authors of the report (Lieutenant Commander Keith) after the 
delegation's departure.  He pledged to work with the Ambassador to 
send Port agents to the US for training.  The Port DG noted that 
some problems were outside of the Port's control, notably frequent 
power cuts, and hoped for a short-term solution by installation of 
generators with support from the Americans.  Although the ecologists 
were unhappy about it, they planned to cut the trees bordering the 
Port's wall on the Marina Road.  Completion of the fence, 
 
COTONOU 00000552  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
controlling access to the Port, institution of an ID system, and 
training were immediate actions to be taken. 
 
¶6.  Director of Maritime Affairs, Mrs. Anki Dossou, mentioned that 
the Government of Benin had an action plan to correct the 
deficiencies noted in the ISPS demarche, but it was not available 
for review at the meeting.  Ms. Anki Dossou and Minister Senou also 
informed the American delegation of several steps (including the 
formulation of the action plan) that had already been taken in 
accordance with the recommendations of the Coast Guard team that 
performed the assessment in August.  To implement a recommendation 
from the November Conference, Benin is establishing a national 
marine security committee, according to Mrs. Dossou.  In addition, 
she said after the MFA legal office's review of the proposed 
committee there would be a working session in June.  Benin was 
acquiring AIS to enhance coastal security.  She had no information 
on a marine security conference in Angola but expected to 
participate if invited. 
 
DIFFILY