VZCZCXRO1330
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0145 1060737
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160737Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0872
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS COTONOU 000145 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (ACOOK) 
MCC FOR DARIUS MANS AND JONATHAN BLOOM 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMCA EAID KDEM KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA Report - MCA-Benin's press conference 
 
¶1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: Following the March 30-31, 2009 visit to 
Benin by the Vice President and the Deputy Vice President for Africa 
of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs hosted a press conference to discuss the results of 
the visit. Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown, and the Minister of Port 
Economy and new President of MCA-Benin's Board of governors, M. Issa 
Badarou, spoke at the well-attended press conference in the presence 
of government representatives and high-ranking officials from 
Benin. 
 
¶2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: April 2; Third quarter, FY 09. 
 
¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: The government of Benin's 
recent decision to modify the configuration of MCA-Benin's board of 
governors provoked a rash of hostile commentary in the local media. 
Two days after the MCC Vice President's visit to Benin, this press 
conference was held in order to clarify the situation and to inform 
the general public about the functioning of MCA-Benin and the new 
steps taken by the government to ensure a speedy implementation of 
the program. 
 
¶4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Democracy and Good 
Governance: At least 75 participants including U.S. Embassy 
officials, government representatives, all major Cotonou-based 
independent media and the government-controlled print and electronic 
media outlets attended the press conference where Ambassador 
Gayleatha B. Brown spoke. 
 
¶5. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. This timely press conference was an 
opportunity to brief the general public about the conditions 
surrounding the MCA program in Benin and the keen interest expressed 
by both the U.S. government and the GOB in the successful 
implementation of the program. During the press conference, the 
Minister of Port Economy, newly appointed President of MCA-Benin's 
Board of Governors, explained that the decision to appoint a 
Minister to head the Board of Governors stems from the government's 
concern to ensure accountability and proper oversight of the 
program. The new President of MCA-Benin's Board of Governors 
underscored the importance of the reforms initiated to make the port 
of Cotonou more competitive and that, at the half-way point from the 
completion of the program, there is need to work faster and more 
efficiently. 
 
In her remarks, Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown stressed that there is 
no disagreement between the governments of Benin and the United 
States regarding the management and the continuation of the program, 
stating that transparency and good program management were in the 
interest of both parties.  Ambassador Brown stated that the United 
States is supportive of the government's decision to appoint 
Ministers as members of the Board of Governors and Mr. Issa Badarou 
as President of the Board of Governors. 
 
¶6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: 
The conference was held in the conference room of the newly built 
Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, and the excellent and 
professional media coverage of the conference was organized by the 
Ministry. 
 
¶7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. The Ambassador's presentation 
during the press conference was very well received. Ambassador Brown 
was recognized in the local media for her keen interest in the 
successful implementation of the MCA program in Benin and her 
determination to work with the Government of Benin to achieve timely 
completion of the program. 
BROWN