VZCZCXRO6421
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOU #0963/01 2891629
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151629Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0252
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4289
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OUAGADOUGOU 000963 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PARIS FOR ARS - COWHER 
DEPT FOR AF/W - LOCKHART; AF/PD - LISENBY AND EHRNMAN; IIP/G/AF 
POSTS FOR PAO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO PHUM UV
SUBJECT: ARS Speaker Dr. Ekovich Educates Burkina on U.S. 
Presidential Politics 
 
¶1.  Summary:  August 29 -September 6, 2008 ARS Speaker Dr. Steven 
Ekovich presented a series of lectures to Burkinabe audiences from 
academia, media, government, military and students.  The topic 
themes revolved around the U.S. political system, the electoral 
process, and especially the upcoming Presidential elections.    In 
addition to carefully presenting a very balanced discussion of the 
relative strengths and weaknesses of each of the two major parties 
and its candidates, Dr. Ekovich took the opportunity to address the 
important role of media during presidential elections.  Further, he 
spoke to several members of civic associations, human rights groups, 
and the military to accentuate their role as participants in the 
democratic process of their country.  He highlighted the shared 
values between Burkinabe and Americans by putting an emphasis on the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation.  Burkinabe television and radio 
covered several of his events and followed up with additional 
focused interviews, ensuring that Dr. Ekovich's message was 
disseminated widely among the millions of listeners.  To assure that 
his message reached important areas of Burkina Faso, programs were 
held at two American Corners, Zorgho and Bobo-Dioulasso.  All of the 
Burkinabe interlocutors expressed their gratitude for his engagement 
and his ability to clearly explain a political process that both 
fascinates and, often, confounds local audiences.  End Summary. 
 
-------------------- 
Program Venues 
-------------------- 
 
¶2.  On August 29, Dr. Ekovich gave a conference on the electoral 
process and U.S. Elections at the American corner in Zorgho.  After 
the conference, participants asked many questions.  The program was 
followed by a lunch for the participants and free discussion about 
the current state of the U.S. Presidential elections.  On Saturday 
August 30, Ekovich gave a keynote speech on the influence of youth 
in the democratic process of Burkina Faso at the annual open house 
of the American Language Center.  He gave examples of how young 
Americans participate by doing community service or working on 
election campaigns.   The audience included young professionals, 
students and their parents, English teachers and four Peace Corps 
volunteers who had assisted with summer English courses. 
 
¶3.  On September 1, Dr. Ekovich did a joint interview with the 
Political Officer on a new television and radio station - Radio 
Lumiere, Vie et development.  The topics focused on the current 
elections in the United States and the increased political 
partnership between Burkina Faso and the United States. 
 
¶4.  September 2nd's program started at the Norbert Zongo National 
Press Center with a journalist roundtable discussion led by Dr. 
Ekovich.  Participants were all journalists and discussions again 
focused on the U.S. Presidential elections and the dual party 
system.  Two on-the-record interviews were conducted at the end of 
the discussion.  The PAO hosted a lunch with journalists at her 
residence for a background discussion on U.S. politics.  In the 
afternoon, Dr. Ekovich led a conference with the local NGO CIVIPAX 
on civic responsibility and peace.  The president of the association 
opened the ceremony by speaking of democracy's global influence and 
its impact on Burkina Faso.  The theme of the conference was "U.S. 
Elections and their effect on world economy: specifically in 
Africa."  Simultaneously, CIVIPAX and the American Cultural Center 
hosted a photo exhibition on the life and accomplishments President 
Lamizana, founder of the Burkinabe military.  Participants included 
members of the CIVIPAX association, university students, and 
journalists.  National television interviewed both presenters for 
the nightly news.  Ambassador Jackson also attended the conference 
and later hosted a reception in Dr. Ekovich's honor.  Invitees 
included journalists, political party leaders, human rights 
representatives, members of the military, and civil society 
representatives.  Dr. Ekovich delivered remarks on the importance of 
democratic elections during the reception. 
 
¶5.  On September 3-4, Dr. Ekovich's program took him to 
Bobo-Dioulasso, the second largest city in Burkina Faso.  The local 
daily paper conducted an interview and the local branch of NDI 
organized an evening conference at the "Espace Jeunesse de Dafra" 
(American Corner).  Invitees included civil society members, 
political party leaders, National Democratic Institute members, 
students, and the general public.  A quick visit of the historical 
mosque in Bobo was also included in the program. 
 
¶6.  Upon returning to Ouagadougou the afternoon of September 4, 
Ekovich delivered a lecture to English teachers during a conference 
hosted by the American Language Center.  He covered the same topics 
on U.S. elections, which clearly interested the teachers, who have 
been eager to introduce this year's election into their lesson 
plans.  A cocktail was offered at the end, and there was a question 
and answer session during this period. 
 
 
OUAGADOUGO 00000963  002 OF 003 
 
 
¶7.  In the evening, a conference on "U.S. Elections 2008 - Key 
Issues" was held in the garden at the cultural center.  Journalist 
Ouezin Oulon delivered a presentation and Dr. Ekovich highlighted 
the essential nature of this year's election process.  Furthermore, 
the shift from the elections in 2004, which focused more on the war 
in Iraq and the division between "blue states vs. red states," as 
opposed to this year, which focuses more on "change" and "unity" of 
the American people.  Issues such as the economy and the environment 
have been on the front line of candidates' presentations.  This 
conference was organized by the Fulbright Alumni Association 
(l'Amicale des Beneficiaires des Programmes d'Echanges Culturels 
entre les Etats-Unis d'Amerique et le Burkina Faso (ABPEC/US-BF). 
The audience, very motivated by the topic of discussion, was quite 
inquisitive and eagerly asked questions of both presenters.  The 
conference was followed by a cocktail in the garden of the cultural 
center. 
 
¶8.  Dr. Ekovich opened September 5th with a presentation to a youth 
civic association as part of its three-day workshop co-hosted with 
the Cultural Center.  He spoke briefly on the role of youth and the 
need for their participation in society for a more balanced 
democracy.  He accentuated that without the participation of the new 
generation, political leaders will not know the concerns of the 
future leaders of the country.  Participants were quick and 
energetic with their questions.  Participants were all members of 
the Youth Association.  They also briefed him on the work they had 
accomplished during their workshop at the American Cultural Center 
and the help provided by the American Ambassador.  After his 
presentation, Dr. Ekovich headed to National Radio and gave an 
interview to key journalist Oulon Ouezin.  Dr. Ekovich explained the 
system of the political checks and balances enshrined in the U.S. 
constitution as well as the functioning of the two houses of 
Congress.  He also spoke about the international impact this 
election will likely have throughout the world.  He noted that 
regardless of the outcome, this election will change the United 
States forever.  Dr. Ekovich next headed to the Martin Luther King 
Library, to lead a book debate on 'U.S. presidential election, 10th 
Edition' by Nelson W. and Aaron Wildavsky.  Participants were from 
the National Democratic Institute, various political parties, media, 
and academia.  A cocktail was offered at the end of the program to 
allow for more informal discussion.  Following the book debate, Dr. 
Ekovich spoke at a conference with the Centre d'Etude Strategiques 
de l'Afrique-Burkina Faso.  The theme for this conference was "The 
Role of the Military in Democracies."  The audience consisted of 
members of the local ACSS chapter and the NGO, Burkinabe for Social 
Movement and Justice.   This was a small roundtable discussion. 
 
¶9.  On the day of this departure, September 5, Dr. Ekovich gave an 
interview to National Television for the daily news.  Questions 
focused on the U.S. presidential elections,  electoral system, the 
impact of this year's elections around the world, and what effects 
this will have for Africans if Obama wins or if McCain wins.  At the 
end of the interview, he met the program assistant Binta C. Mayaki 
and PAO Joann Lockard, for a final program debriefing before 
departing Burkina Faso. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Effectiveness of the Speaker 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶10. Outstanding.  Dr. Ekovich is an extremely engaging and 
intellectually motivated expert on the U. S. political system.  His 
ability to explain the complex Electoral process, the role of 
delegates and super delegates to foreign audiences in a way that is 
never patronizing and engages the crowd, is a pleasure to observe. 
His approach allowed Burkinabe audiences to better appreciate the 
diversity of the American political spectrum and to understand why 
the candidates appealed to different sectors of U.S. society - 
further highlighting important aspects of American Culture and way 
of life.  Moreover, Dr. Ekovich's in-depth familiarity with the 
French political system and his flawless French further enhances his 
ability to engage with Francophone audiences in Burkina Faso.  Post 
would welcome Dr. Ekovich's return any time. 
 
---------------- 
ARS Support 
---------------- 
 
¶11. ARS provided its usual outstanding level of support.  In 
addition, ARS was well organized in facilitating communications and 
planning prior to the speaker's arrival in Burkina Faso. 
 
------------------------------- 
Immediate Results/Impact 
------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  Excellent.  Dr. Ekovich's program on the U.S. elections was 
 
OUAGADOUGO 00000963  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
extremely well-received by Burkinabe audiences who are fascinated 
with the Obama candidacy and what it means for the United States and 
Africa.  Dr. Ekovich skillfully helped his interlocutors understand 
all of the issues at stake, including race, and highlighted the 
important aspects of the American political process, which have 
enabled the United States to stay united and strong even after the 
very heated primary period.  More importantly for Post programming, 
Dr. Ekovich laid an important foundation of understanding among key 
audiences that will not only serve as the basis of all our 
election-related programming this year, but will also help to 
strengthen our work to support democracy in Burkina Faso. 
 
-------------------- 
Media Attention 
-------------------- 
 
¶13.  Media attention:  This program was instrumental in shaping 
media coverage of the U.S. elections.  Dr. Ekovich helped local 
journalists to better understand how media in the United States can 
endorse a candidate without risk and the need for independent press 
during election campaigns for a more balanced democracy.  Dr. 
Ekovich received sustained media coverage throughout his program in 
Burkina Faso, ensuring that his message was broadcast to millions of 
Burkinabe throughout the country.  His ease in explaining issues 
resulted in Burkinabe National Television and Radio seeking multiple 
opportunities to cover his lectures and request additional follow-up 
interviews.  Ultimately, Dr. Ekovich's program received substantial 
coverage in every major media outlet in Burkina Faso. 
 
LAEUCHLI