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RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0071/01 0611019
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021019Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0789
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1402
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 COTONOU 000071 
 
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 BN
SUBJECT: COTONOU REPORTS ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND 
MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS 
 
PAS Cotonou reports the following placements of State Department 
materials and articles on Mission-hosted activities and U.S. 
centered articles in the government-owned newspaper, La Nation, and 
various independent newspapers: 
 
¶1. Print 
 
January 6 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the government-owned newspaper, La Nation, in the 
independent daily newspapers Le Matin and Le Telegramme, based on 
the Mission-produced press release on USS Robert Bradley's visit to 
Benin titled "Cooperation militaire: une Fregate des Forces Navales 
Americaines en escale au Benin." (Military cooperation: a US Navy 
ship on visit to Benin). 
 
An article in the government-owned La Nation, about the transition 
titled "Etats-Unis: Obama s'installe a Washington et s'attaque au 
plan de relance economique." (United Stated: Obama settles in 
Washington and gets to work on his economic rescue plan). 
 
 
 
January 7 
An article in the independent daily, L'Option Infos, about the 111th 
opening session of the Congress of the United States titled: "Une 
Rentree parlementaire un peu agitee." (United States: a rough 
opening of the 111th session of the Congress of the United States). 
 
January 8 
An article in La Nation, Le Matin and L'Options Infos  about the 
reception held at the White House in honor of the former Presidents 
titled "Etats-Unis: Bush, Obama et les anciens Presidents dejeunent 
a la Maison Blanche." (United States: Bush, Obama and the former 
presidents have lunch at the White House). 
 
January 9 
An article in the independent daily, Nouvelle Expression, about the 
fight against terror strategy titled "Barack Obama veut reformer 
l'anti-terrorisme." (Barack Obama wants to bring reforms into the 
fight against terrorism). 
 
January 12 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin on President Barack Obama's plan to hold 
legally liable some members of the Bush administration titled 
"Etats-Unis: Obama n'exclut pas des poursuites judiciaires  contre 
l'administration Bush." (United States: Obama does not exclude the 
possibility of bringing to justice some members of the Bush 
administration). 
 
An article in the independent daily, La Nouvelle Tribune, about the 
Access to Land project of the Millenium Challenge Account  titled 
"MCA-Benin / Projet Acces au Foncier: 4 nouvelles communes signent 
le protocole d'accord."(MCA-Benin's Access to Land Project: 4 new 
districts sign a protocol agreement). 
 
An article in the independent daily, Le Telegramme, titled 
"Etats-Unis d'Amrique: Obama plait a Bush." (United States of 
America: George Bush likes Obama). 
 
January 13 
The following articles were published: 
Two articles in the independent Daily Nouvelle Expression, titled 
"Etats-Unis: un Nigerian elu a la Chambre des Representants du New 
Hampshire) and "Etats-Unis: Bush dresse le bilan de sa presidence." 
(United States: a Nigerian elected to the New Hampshire House of 
Representatives and United States: Bush makes an assessment of his 
presidency). 
 
An article in the independent daily, Le Telegramme, about President 
Barack Obama's diplomatic outreach efforts titled "Etats-Unis: 
Barack Obama: la diplomatie en marche." (United States: Barack 
Obama: Diplomacy in progress). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Option Infos about a local 
football competition organized by the local Obama support committee 
to mark President Barack Obama's inauguration: the article is titled 
"Tournoi de Football Barack Obama." (Barack Obama Football match). 
 
January 14 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune about President Barack Obama's 
efforts to end the economic crisis titled "Etats-Unis: Obama prt a 
en decoudre avec la crise. " (United States: Obama is determined to 
end the crisis). 
 
An article in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien, about the 
 
COTONOU 00000071  002 OF 006 
 
 
implementation of MCA-Benin's Access to Land Project titled 
"Securisation du Foncier Rural: 4 communes de l'Oueme signent un 
protocole d'accord avec le Millenium Challenge Account." (Land 
security in Benin: four villages in the Oueme Department sign a 
protocol agreement with MCA-Benin). 
 
An article in Le Matin, about President Barack Obama's inauguration 
titled "Investiture d'Obama: un eveque homosexual va lancer les 
festivities." (Obama's inauguration: a Gay Bishop will launch the 
celebration). 
 
January 15 
The following articles were published: 
Two articles in L'Autre Quotidien, about President Barack Obama's 
new administration titled "Obama promet 1,000 dollars aux mnages 
Americans pour degripper l'economie," and "Hillary Clinton pour une 
politique etrangere pragmatique." (Obama promises 1,000 dollars to 
the American families to rescue the economy) and (Hillary Clinton 
for a pragmatic foreign policy). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme titled "Les ambitions diplomatiques de 
Hillary Clinton." (Hillary Clinton's diplomatic ambitions). 
 
Two articles in the independent daily Nouvelle Expression titled 
"Gaza: Oussama Ben Laden sort du silence et appelle au djihad," and 
"Pressenti au Tresor par Obama, Geithner n'a pas paye ses impots 
pendant quatre ans. " (Gaza :Usama Bin Laden comes out of silence 
and appeals for a holy war) and (Chosen by Obama to be appointed 
Secretary of Treasury, Geithner did not pay his taxes for the past 
four years). 
 
An article in Le Matin about President Obama's administration titled 
"Le General Jonathan Gration, choix probable d'Obama a la tete de la 
NASA." (General Jonathan Gration, Obama's possible choice to head 
NASA). 
 
January 16 
The following articles were published: 
An editorial in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien, about the 
war in the Middle-East titled "Guerre a Gaza: que fera Barack 
Obama?" (War in Gaza: What will Barack Obama do?) 
 
A full page editorial in the independent daily l'Option Infos, 
titled "Opinion: la classe politique beninoise et le modele Obama." 
(Opinion editorial: Benin's political leaders and Obama as a 
model). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, about President Bush's end of tenure 
titled "Etats-Unis: Adieu Bush, et bon debarras!" (United States: 
Farewell Bush and good riddance!). 
 
An article in Le Matin, about President Bush's departure titled 
"Etats-Unis: Bush doit prononcer une allocution d'adieu ce soir." 
(United States: Bush will deliver his farewell speech tonight). 
 
An article in La Nation and la Nouvelle Tribune about the 
MCA-Benin's Access to Land project titled, " Accord de partenariat 
pour la securisation du foncier rural: le cadre legal entre les 
communes du plateau et MCA-Benin cree. " (Partnership agreement for 
rural land safety: signing of a partnership agreement between the 
districts of the Plateau Department and MCA-Benin). 
 
January 19 
An article in Le Matinal, based on the handover of bed nets to the 
Ministry of Health titled "Pour mieux faire face au paludisme, les 
Etats-Unis offrent 28.000 moustiquaires aux Beninois." (In order to 
fight malaria more efficiently, the United States offers 28,000 bed 
nets to the Beninese). 
 
January 20 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matinal, Le telegramme, Le Matin, La Nouvelle 
Tribune and L'Autre Quotidien, about President Barack Obama's 
inauguration; La Nouvelle Tribune also carried a full page photo of 
the members of President Obama's administration. The article in La 
Nouvelle tribune is titled "Obama, 44eme president des Etats-Unis: 
comprendre l'investiture. " (Obama, as the 44th President of the 
United States: understand the inauguration). 
 
An article in Fraternite, about President Obama's inauguration 
titled "Investiture du President americain: Angelique Kidjo chante 
pour Barack Obama." (Inauguration of the President of the United 
States: Angelique Kidjo in concert for Barack Obama). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression and L'Aurore, titled "Bush fait 
son bilan et ses adieux a la communaute internationale. " (Bush 
makes the assessment of his presidency and bids farewell to the 
international community). 
 
COTONOU 00000071  003 OF 006 
 
 
 
Two lengthy articles in the state-controlled La Nation, titled 
"Barack Obama: l'histoire d'un pionnier politique des Etats-Unis," 
and "Investiture de Barack Obama: l'histoire d'un processus 
passionnant. " (Barack Obama : the history of a political pioneer of 
the United States) and (Barack Obama's inauguration: the story of a 
fascinating process). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the celebration of Martin 
Luther King's birthday titled:"Celebration de Martin Luther King au 
Bnin: d'eminentes personnalites edifient la jeunesse." (Martin 
Luther King's celebration in Benin: Distinguished guests brief the 
youth). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme congratulating Ambassador Gayleatha B. 
Brown for the extremely careful manner in which she has been 
supervising the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account 
program in Benin. 
 
An article in L'Option Infos, titled "United States: Michelle Obama, 
une premiere dame influente" (Michelle Obama, an influential first 
lady). The article indicated that she celebrated her 45th birthday 
before entering the White House. 
 
January 21 
An article in Fraternite, based on the entirety of President Obama's 
inauguration speech. 
 
A front page article in Le Matin, titled "Investiture du 44eme 
President des Etats-Unis: Barack Obama suscite deja l'espoir; " 
(Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States: Barack 
Obama is already sparking hope) and nine additional articles devoted 
to the inauguration. 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune about the celebration of Martin 
Luther King's anniversary and a second article based on the entirety 
of President Barack Obama's inauguration speech. 
 
Three articles in L'Autre Quotidien and the state-controlled La 
Nation, titled "Bientot une universite Barack Obama au Benin;" 
"Barack Obama devient le 44eme President des Etats-Unis " and " 
Michelle Obama: des faubourgs de Chicago a la Maison Blanche. " (A 
University named after Barack Obama is soon coming to Benin); 
(Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States); and 
(Michelle Obama: from the outskirts of Chicago to the White House). 
 
Two articles in L'Evenement Precis, titled "Investiture du 44eme 
President des Etats-Unis: les grands chantiers d'Obama;) and 
"Investiture aux Etats-Unis: les grands points du discours 
d'investiture de Barack Obama. " (Inauguration of the 44th President 
of the United States : the major areas in which Obama plans to 
perform actively); and (Presidential inauguration in the United 
States: the main points of Barack Obama's inauguration speech). 
L'Evenement Precis also carried the entirety of President Barack 
Obama's inauguration speech. 
 
Three articles in Nouvelle Expression, about President Barack 
Obama's inauguration titled "Investiture de Barack Obama aux 
Etats-Unis: un nouveau regard desormais porte sur l'homme Noir;" " 
L'Amerique choisit l'espoir contre la peur, affirme Obama ;" and " 
44eme President des Etats-Unis : la journee historique de Barack 
Obama. " (Barack Obama's inauguration in the United States: a new 
look at the Black man); (America chooses hope against fear: affirms 
Obama) and (44th President of the United States: a historical day 
for Barack Obama.) 
 
Two full pages articles in L'Informateur, titled "Obama a la Maison 
Blanche: les spectateurs emus, solennels et enthousiastes. " (Obama 
at the White House : the spectators were impressed, solemn and 
enthusiastic). 
 
Two articles in La Nation, about President Barack Obama's 
inauguration titled "Etats-Unis: Obama devient le 44eme President," 
and "Reactions a travers le monde entier apres l'investiture 
d'Obama." (United States: Obama becomes 44th President) and 
(Worldwide reactions to Barack Obama inauguration). 
 
January 22 
The following articles were published: 
Four articles in Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: l'investiture d'Obama 
suscite des espoirs tres prudents dans le Golfe ;" " Obama induit en 
erreur en recitant son serment d'investiture ; " " San Francisco : 
des farceurs rebaptisent la rue Bush du nom d'Obama. " 
(United States: Obama's inauguration provokes very cautious hopes in 
the Gulf); (Obama misled while taking his swearing-in oath); (San 
Francisco: some jokesters are renaming the Bush avenue after Obama). 
 
The Februray 22 edition of Le Matin also carried the entirety of 
 
COTONOU 00000071  004 OF 006 
 
 
President Barack Obama's inauguration speech. 
 
Two articles in La Nation, titled "Barack et Michelle Obama: de bal 
en bal, un petit tour, puis s'en vont " and "Guantanamo: suspension 
du proces de cinq detenus." (Barack and Michelle Obama: from one 
party to another: a short tour, and they left) and (Guantanamo: 
suspension of the trial of five detainees). 
 
Two articles in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Obama prend possession 
du Bureau oval et s'attaque a une tache gigantesque," and " A peine 
investi, Obama plonge dans la crise du proche-Orient. " (Obama takes 
over the oval office of the White House) and (Soon after his 
inauguration, Obama is faced with the crisis in the Middle-East). 
 
An article in the independent daily Nouvel Horizon, titled "Que peut 
gagner le continent africain de l'election de Barack Obama?" (What 
can the African continent benefit from Barack Obama's election?). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled " Etats-Unis : Obama au 
travail !" (United States: Obama at work!). 
 
January 23 
The following articles were published: 
Two articles in Le Telegramme about the Guantanamo shutdown titled 
"Etats-Unis: Barack Obama decrete la fermeture du camp de 
Guantanamo," and "Droits de l'Homme a Guantanamo: un ex-detenu 
temoigne." (United States : Barack Obama orders the shutdown of the 
Guantanamo detention camp), and (Human rights in Guantanamo camp : a 
detainee talks about his experience). 
 
An article in the La Nouvelle Tribune, Le Challenge, L'Informateur 
and Le Matin, about President Obama's inauguration oath titled " 
Obama a prete serment pour la deuxieme fois." (Obama took oath for 
the second time). 
 
An article in the state-controlled La Nation, about president 
Obama's cabinet titled "Etats-Unis: le senat approuve la nomination 
de Geithner au Tresor." (United States: the Senate approves the 
appointment of Geithner as Secretary of Treasury). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, about the appointment of Hillary 
Clinton as Secretary of State titled "Etats-Unis: Clinton devient 
officiellement Secretaire d'Etat d'Obama." (United States: Hillary 
Clinton becomes Obama's Secretary of State). 
 
Two articles in L'Autre Quotidien, about Global warming titled 
"Rechauffement Planetaire: Barack Obama, nouveau Directeur du 
developpement durable de l'entreprise Monde? "   (Global Warning: 
Has Barack Obama become the new Director of Sustainable Development 
for the World Enterprise?); and "Mode: Le Style Michelle Obama." 
(Fashion: Michelle Obama Style): the second article is ilustrated 
with photos of Michelle Obama in various stylish outfits. 
 
January 25 
An article in Le Municipal, an independent weekly specialized in 
publishing news on decentralization, titled "Securisation fonciere 
dans les departments du Plateau et de l'Oueme: signature d'un accord 
de partenariat entre le MCA-Benin et les communes. " (Land safety in 
the departments of Plateau and Oueme: signing of a partnership 
agreement between MCA-Benin and the districts). 
 
January 26 
The following articles were published: 
An article in  La Nouvelle Tribune and Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: 
Obama fait tomber un a un les pans de presidence Bush. " (Obama is 
canceling one by one the major decisions taken by President Bush's 
administration). 
 
An editorial in Le Telegramme, titled "Obama: s'en inspirer;" and an 
article in the same newspaper titled "Etats-Unis: Obama met fin a la 
torture." (Obama as a source of inspiration) and (United States: 
Obama ends torture). 
 
Two articles in Nouvelle Expression, based on an interview with the 
Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs titled  "L'Election du 
President Barack Obama est porteur d'espoir pour tout le monde 
entier;" and "Investiture d'un Noir a la Maison Blanche: On n'a 
visiblement pas compris." (President Barack Obama's election is a 
source of hope for the entire world) and (Inauguration of a black 
man at the White House: It is visibly hard to understand). 
 
An article in Le Matinal and l'Option Infos, based on a 
Mission-hosted event titled "Les Etats-Unis priment les efforts des 
grossistes des produits distribues par PSI. " (The United States 
recognizes the efforts of the wholesalers of PSI products). 
 
January 27 
The following articles were published: 
 
COTONOU 00000071  005 OF 006 
 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien and Le Matin, based on the 
Mission-produced press release about Second Secretary Christina 
Day's trip upcountry titled "La deuxieme Secretaire de l'Ambassade 
des Etats-Unis en visite de travail a l'interieur du pays." The 
Second Secretary of the Embassy of the United States on a working 
visit upcountry). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Etats-Unis: semaine 
decisive pour Obama au Congres avec le plan de reliance." (United 
States: difficult week for Obama at the Congress with his economic 
rescue plan). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression titled, "Etats-Unis d'Amerique: 
Obama commence a tenir la promesse d'une nouvelle politique 
environnementale. " (United States of America : Obama begins to 
fulfil the promise of a new environmental policy). 
 
January 28 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Une femme met au monde huit bebes. 
"(A woman gives birth to eight babies). 
 
Two articles in L'Informateur, based on the entirety of two 
Mission-produced press releases titled "La deuxieme Secretaire de 
l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis en visite de Travail a l'interieur du 
pays;" and "Ceremonie de reconnaissance a l'honneur des grossistes 
distributeurs des produits de sante. " (The Second Secretary of the 
Embassy of the United States' trip upcountry) and (Certificate 
awarded to PSI wholesalers). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, titled "Etats-Unis: 50,000 emplois 
supprimes en un seul jour. " (United States : 50,000 jobs cut in a 
day). 
 
An editorial in La Nouvelle Tribune, based on President Obama's 
election titled, "Un Noir au soleil;" and an article in the same 
newspapers titled, "Etats-Unis: Obama envoie son emissaire au 
Proche-Orient. " (A black man in the sun); and (United States: Obama 
sends his emissary to the Middle East). L'Autre Quotidien also 
carried the second article. 
 
An article in Le Matinal, titled "Apres l'investiture du 44eme 
President americain, Francis Ahouadi toujours dans l'euphorie depuis 
les Etats-Unis. " (Following the inauguration of the 44th President 
of the United States, Francis Ahouadi is still euphoric).( Note: 
Francis Ahouadi is a Beninese journalist living in the United 
States). 
 
An article in L'Aurore titled, "Obama defend son plan de relance 
devant les Republicains du Congres. " (Obama defends his economic 
rescue plan before the Republicans in  Congress). 
 
 
January 29 
An article in Nouvelle Expression titled, "Les efforts de reliance 
d'Obama se heurtent a l'opposition. " (Obama's rescue plan faces the 
reluctance of the Republican-led opposition in Congress). 
 
January 30 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, about a seminar organized by the 
Millenium Challenge Account for the implementation of the Access to 
Land project titled "Mutation des titres de propriete et des 
methodes d'enregistrement: MCA-Benin reunit plusieurs Experts a 
Possotome." (Delivery of land certificates and registration methods: 
MCA-Benin held a workshop with several Experts in Possotome). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Proche-Orient: George 
Mitchell veut consolider la treve." (Middle-East: George Mitchell 
wants to consolidate the cease-fire). 
 
Two articles in the government-controlled La Nation, titled "Detenus 
de Guantanamo: Solana appelle les pays de l'Ue a rester Ouverts;" 
and "OMC: l'Inde compte sur les Etats-Unis pour un accord. " 
(Release of the Guantanamo detainees : Solana appeals to the 
European Union for a sincere cooperation) and (World Trade 
Organization: India counts on the United States to reach an 
agreement). 
 
 ¶2. 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 13 major 
local languages. The electronic media also reported lengthily on the 
transition period leading up to President Barack Obama's 
inauguration. 
In partnership with WorldNet, LC2 (first private TV station in 
Benin) continued to broadcast the "Crossroad Caf" series. 
 
COTONOU 00000071  006 OF 006 
 
 
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, a news 
program titled "Escale en Afrique de l'Ouest", is broadcast on Golfe 
FM every morning (Monday through Friday), beginning at 7:30, while 
the news in English is scheduled from Monday through Friday, 
beginning at 17:30.In addition, Golfe FM and another affiliate 
station, Fraternit FM broadcast more VOA programs such as "Media 
d'Afrique et d'Ailleurs", "Washington Forum" and "Africa World 
Tonight." Because Fraternite FM is located in the north of the 
country, it carried the entirety of the news program in Hausa. 
 
Brown