VZCZCXRO9815
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0059 0540952
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 230952Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0774
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1399
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS COTONOU 000059 
 
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON) 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (ACOOK) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRC OEXC OIIP KPAO SCUL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA Report - DVC Program on the topic "Black 
Americans/Black Africans: What Are the Commonalities Beyond Race" 
 
¶1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: As part of the activities scheduled to 
celebrate Black History Month, the Public Diplomacy Section of the 
American Cultural Center in Benin   hosted a DVC program in its 
conference room. In her opening remarks, PAO Rhonda J. Watson 
explained the history of Black History Month and briefed the 
participants about the purpose and the format of the program. 
 
¶2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: February 20; Second quarter, FY 09. 
 
¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: Because of interest in the 
plight and achievements of African Americans and interest in 
reconciling the breach caused by the slave trade, Post took the 
opportunity of Black History Month to participate in this activity 
and to examine what Black Americans and Black Africans still have in 
common, after many centuries of separation caused by slavery. 
 
¶4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Promotion of Democracy 
and Mutual Understanding: This program attracted fifteen eminent 
personalities belonging to a group called "Ambassadeurs de la 
Renaissance Africaine" (Ambassadors of the African Renaissance), 
including former Ministers, retired civil servants, Journalists, 
Businesswomen, an Islamist, a former President of the National 
Electoral Committee  and a retired Diplomat from Haiti. 
 
¶5. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. The DVC provided the participants with 
the opportunity to listen to a Speaker who is an African American, 
his experience and the problems he faces when he visits Africa, the 
land of his ancestors. This program served as a forum for a sincere 
dialogue between an African American and Beninese nationals. The 
speaker indicated that his year-long trip in Africa helped him to 
see similarities between himself and Africans, but he realized that 
he was also different in so many ways and he felt that he was truly 
American, after all.  After listening to the Speaker's presentation, 
the participants felt disappointed about his assessment and found no 
reason why a Black American could not feel comfortable when he 
visits Africa. In referring to the election of Barack Obama as 
President of the United States of America, the participants 
explained that Black Americans and Black Africans have so many 
things in common, including race, culture, civilization, and most 
especially their capability to reach the same level of performance 
as the white man. Our guests were glad to have been offered the 
opportunity to speak from the depths of their heart to an African 
American brother, whom they said they will be happy to welcome any 
time he visits Africa again. 
 
Another successful aspect of this program was the active 
participation of the Ambassadors of the African Renaissance, an NGO 
currently working on a long-term project intended to repatriate the 
souls of all victims of the slave trade.  They have acquired land 
between Benin and Nigeria called the Igbale Aiye city to do this. In 
the name of the African 2010 Project, they intend to erect a 
monument to the Dead of the Deported ones of the odious system of 
slavery and will work to promote universal reconciliation and the 
renaissance of Africa. 
 
¶6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None. 
 
¶7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. Speaker Eddy Harris' 
presentation was accurate and right to the point. Kudos to ARS Paris 
and its staff for recruiting such a knowledgeable speaker to address 
this vital topic. The speaker's fluency in French and his African 
experience contributed to the outstanding success of this program. 
Post is highly appreciative of Paris technical diligence in 
restoring the DVC line connection following a power failure in 
Cotonou. 
Brown