VZCZCXRO4190
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0157/01 1101132
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201132Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0882
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1430
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000157 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KDEM KPAO KISL PINR BN
SUBJECT: COTONOU REPORTS ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND 
MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS 
 
¶1. PAS Cotonou reports the following placements of State Department 
materials, articles on Mission-hosted activities and U.S. centered 
articles in the government-owned newspaper, La Nation, and various 
independent newspapers: 
 
February 2 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Autre Quotidien and 
Le Matin, based on the text of President Barack Obama's interview 
with AL-ARABIYA TV station titled "Interview de Barack Obama a la 
chaine Al-Arabiya." (President Barack Obama's interview with 
Al-Arabiya). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, about 
the arrest in Nairobi of one of President Barack Obama's 
half-brother suspected of drug possession. The article is titled 
"Kenya: un demi-frere d'Obama arrete pour detention de drogue." 
 
A full page cartoon in the independent daily Le Matin, about the 
first hundred minutes of President Barack Obama as President of the 
United States. 
 
February 3 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Autre 
Quotidien, titled "Oueme-Plateau/Culture: une association se propose 
de construire un institut Obama a Porto-Novo." 
(Oueme-Plateau/Culture: an association is planning on building an 
institute in Porto-Novo that will be called The Obama Institute). 
 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle 
Expression, titled "Plan de relance: Obama s'active avant l'examen 
par le Senat." (Rescue plan: Obama is busy scrutinizing his plan 
prior to Senate's review). 
 
A full page article in the left-of-center independent daily 
L'Informateur, based on the entirety of the text of President Barack 
Obama's interview with Al-Arabiya on January 26 titled 
"Proche-Orient: les nouveaux axes de la diplomatie americaine." 
(Middle-East: the new components of U.S. diplomacy.) 
 
February 4 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Le Challenge, 
based on the Washington Daily File 502 of 2 February titled "Un 
partenariat Americano-africain pour un mais resistant a la 
secheresse." (a U.S.-African partnership for the production of a 
variety of corn that will resist the dry season), and an article in 
the same newspaper based on the Washington Daily file 501 of 2 
February titled "L'Envoye des Etats-Unis au Proche-Orient preoccupe 
par les pertes a Gaza." (The U.S. Envoy to the Middle-East is 
concerned by the loss of human life in Gaza). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, 
titled "Double defection embarrassante dans 
l'administration Obama." (Two embarrassing resignations in President 
Obama's cabinet). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle 
Expression, titled "Etats-Unis d'Amerique: les ennuis avec le fisc 
ebranlent l'administration Obama: deux desistements." (United States 
of America: tax problems weaken Obama's administration: two 
resignations." 
 
February 5 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, titled 
"Union Africaine: Les Chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement adressent un 
message de felicitations au President Obama. " (African Union : the 
heads of state and government send a message of congratulations to 
President Obama). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily newspapers 
Nouvelle Expression and Le Telegramme, titled "Economie Americaine: 
Obama plafonne le salaire des patrons." (Obama put a ceiling on the 
salaries of the heads of enterprises that receive assistance from 
the government). 
 
A full page article in the left-of-center independent daily 
L'Echiquier, based on the text of President Obama's inauguration 
speech titled "Discours d'investiture de Barack Obama."(Barack 
Obama's inauguration speech). 
 
February 6 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the MCA-Benin sponsored 
workshop on the performance of the port of Cotonou titled "Etude sur 
les litiges, la valeur ajoutee et la satisfaction des usagers du 
Port de Cotonou." (Study on the disputes, the value added and the 
Port users' satisfaction). 
 
COTONOU 00000157  002 OF 004 
 
 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the U.S. participation in the 
international conference on security titled "L'administration Obama 
devrait presenter sa politique etrangere." (Obama's administration 
should present its foreign policy). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the U.S. Envoy to the 
Middle-East titled "USA: L'Envoye special se rendra de nouveau au 
Proche-Orient au cours du mois. " (United States: the U.S. Special 
Envoy will go back to the Middle-East). 
 
February 9 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Echiquier, based on the entirety of President Barack 
Obama's inauguration speech. 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about President Obama's economic 
rescue plan titled "Wall Street: les mesures de l'administration 
Obama attendees." (Wall Street: President Obama's rescue plan 
proposals are expected). 
 
February 11 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Option Infos, 
titled "Etats-Unis: le Conseil de Securite Nationale aura des 
competences elargies." (United States: the National Security Council 
will have a increased powers). 
 
An article in the government-controlled daily La Nation, titled 
"Revue a mi-parcours du programme MCA-Benin: des conditions 
prealables non encore satisfaites." (MCA-Benin mid-term review: some 
prerequisites not yet fulfilled). More reports on the MCA-Benin 
mid-term review were published in the independent daily newspapers 
Fraternite, La Nouvelle Tribune, L'Autre Quotidien, L'Informateur, 
Nouvelle Expression, Le Challenge, Le Matin). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, titled 
"Etats-Unis: le Senat adopte un plan de relance de 838 milliards de 
dollars." (United States: the Senate votes a rescue plan of 838 
billions dollars). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Sarkozy inspire Obama." (Sarkozy 
inspires Obama). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Iran: le pays est prt au 
dialogue avec Washington, mais dans l'egalite et le respect. " (Iran 
: the country is ready for dialogue with Washington, based on the 
principles of equality and respect). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, 
titled "Crise financiere aux Etats-Unis: le plan de relance de 
Barack Obama adopte." (Financial crisis in the United States: Barack 
Obama's rescue plan approved). 
 
February 12 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Relance de l'economie aux 
Etats-Unis: compromis trouve au Congres sur un plan  de relance. " 
(Economic rescue in the United States : a compromise was reached in 
the Congress on the rescue plan). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the entirety of the press 
release about MCA-Benin's mid-term review. 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Afrique du Sud: une collection de 
bijoux en or et en argent pour honorer Obama." (South Africa: a 
collection of gold and silver jewelry to honor Obama). 
 
An article in La Nation, about the Mercy Ship's visit to Benin 
titled "Pour soigner des maladies: arrivee au Benin de 300 
specialistes americains." To treat patients, 300 American 
specialists arrived in Benin).  Comment:  The crew actually includes 
members from many nations.  End comment.February 13 
The following articles were published: 
A front-page article in the government-owned La Nation, about the 
implementation of the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA-Benin) 
Program titled "Gestion du programme MCA-Benin: les instructions du 
Chef de l'Etat." (Management of the MCA-Benin's program: the 
instructions of the Head of State). The article is flanked by a 
photo of Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown being granted an audience by 
President Boni Yayi. La Nation also carries a two-page publication 
of the list of the pre-selected candidates to benefit from the 
Access to Credit facility. 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, 
based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release on 
MCA-Benin's mid-term review. 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore, about 
 
COTONOU 00000157  003 OF 004 
 
 
the MCA-Benin mi-term review titled "MCA-Benin: la revue a 
mi-parcours presente au President Yayi Boni." (MCA-Benin: the 
mi-term review presented to President Yayi Boni). 
 
An article in the centrist independent daily Le Telegramme, about 
President Obama's economic rescue plan titled "USA: le Congres va 
avaliser le plan de relance economique de Barack Obama." (United 
States: Congress will approve President Barack Obama's economic 
rescue plan). 
 
February 16 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily Le Municipal, specialized in the 
publication of articles on decentralization, about the MCA-Benin 
mid-term review titled "Revue a mi-parcours du programme MCA-Benin: 
le government prend ses responsabilites." (MCA-Benin's mid-term 
review: the government's commitment to perform better). 
 
An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Aurore, Le Matin 
and Le Telegramme, about President Barack Obama's economic rescue 
plan titled "Etats-Unis: le Congres promulguera le plan de relance 
mardi a Denver." (United States: Congress will promulgate the rescue 
plan Tuesday in Denver). 
 
February 17 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien titled "Obama 
et l'aide sociale aux organizations confessionnelles." (Obama and 
public assistance to religious organizations). 
 
February 18 
The following articles were published: 
An article in la Nation about Africa Mercy Ships' visit to Benin 
titled "Le bateau Africa Mercy Ships au Benin: des operations et des 
soins gratuits aux demunis." (Africa Mercy Ships' visit to Benin: 
surgery and treatment for the poor). 
 
An article in L'Informateur, based on the Mission-produced press 
release about MCA-Benin's mid-term review. 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, about the economic rescue plan titled 
"USA: Obama signe un gigantesque plan de relance." (United States: 
Obama signs a huge economic rescue plan). 
 
February 19 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Afghanistan: Obama annonce 
l'envoi de nouvelles troupes." (Afghanistan: Obama announces the 
deployment of new troops). 
 
February 20 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Kirghistan: le Parlement 
vote la fermeture d'une base cle." (Kirghistan : Paliament votes the 
closing down of a key military base). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, about President Barack Obama's  trip to 
Canada titled "Canada: Obama lance au Canada sa carriere 
internationale de president." (Canada: Obama launches his 
international career as President). 
 
An article in L'Option Infos, titled "Afghanistan / Etats-Unis: 
Washington va deployer 17.000 hommes sur place." (Afghanistan 
/Unites States: Washington will deploy 17,000 troops on the 
ground). 
 
February 23 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, Le Challenge and La Nouvelle Tribune, about 
the Millenium Challenge Account titled "Conseil d'administration de 
MCA-Benin: Vizir Olofindji Akande elu representant de la societe 
civile."MCA-Benin's board of governors: Vizir Olofindji Akande 
elected representative of civil society). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled " Barack Obama va recevoir 
Gordon Brown le 3 mars a Washington. " (Barack Obama will receive 
Gordon Brown on March 3 in Washington). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled "USAID/Projet Empower: des 
journalistes formes sur les normes et standards de communication du 
projet." (USAID/Empower project: journalists are trained on the 
communication strategies of the project). 
 
February 24 
An article in Le Matinal and La Nouvelle tribune, titled "Pour une 
meilleure mise en oeuvre du projet Empower, des journalistes 
desormais mieux aguerris. " (For a better implementation of the 
Empower project, reporters have been  trained). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, about Secretary of State Hillary 
 
COTONOU 00000157  004 OF 004 
 
 
Clinton's visit to Beijing titled "Clinton a Pekin: de l'economie, 
mais rien sur les droits de l'homme." (Clinton in Beijing: Dealing 
with the economy, but nothing on human rights). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the economic rescue plan 
titled "Etats-Unis: l'argent du plan de relance sous surveillance." 
(United States: the money for the rescue plan under surveillance). 
 
February 25 
The following articles were published: 
An article L'Aurore, titled "Obama realistic, but optimistic before 
the Congress, in the face of America, worried about new developments 
in the economy). 
 
An article in L'Informateur, titled "Etats-Unis/Japon : Obama promet 
de cooperer avec le Japon, face a la crise et la Coree du Nord. " 
(United States/Japan : Obama promises to cooperate with Japan on 
resolving the economic crisis and the North Korean issue). 
 
February 26 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Informateur, based on the Mission-produced press 
release about the presidential Malaria Iniatiative to fight Malaria 
titled "Pulverisation intra-domiciliaire pour lutter contre le 
paludisme." (In-door spraying to fight malaria). 
 
An article in L'Informateur, based on the Africa Mercy Ships'visit 
to Benin, titled "La Mission medicale de Mercy Ships au Benin." 
(Mercy Ships medical mission in Benin). 
 
An article in la Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Obama: les Etats-Unis se 
releveront plus forts qu'avant." (Obama : the  United States will 
rise stronger than ever). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled " Barack Obama: L'Amerique a 
l'heure de verite." (Barack Obama: America at the moment of truth). 
 
 
An article in Le Matin, based on the entirety of the 
Mission-produced press release about the Africa Mercy Ships'visit to 
Benin, and two other articles titled "Le discours d'Obama au 
Congres," and "Education: la Mission au Benin de Madame Aleta J. 
Williams." (Obama'speech at the Congress) and (Education: Mme Aleta 
¶J. Williams mission to Benin). 
 
February 27 
An article in Le Matinal and La Nouvelle Tribune, based on the 
entirety of the Mission-produced press release on the Defense 
Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS)  seminar. 
 
Four articles in L'Informateur, based on the entirety of four 
Mission-produced press releases titled "Seminaire International sur 
les droits de l'homme et le droit international humanitaire," 
"L'USAID annonce 160 millions de dollars Americains pour la reponse 
globale a la securite alimentaire pour l'Afrique Occidentale, " " 
Pulverisation intra-domiciliaire pour lutter contre le paludisme, " 
et " La Mission Medicale de Mercy Ships au Benin. " (International 
seminar on human rights and International humanitarian rights); 
(USAID announces 160 million US dollars as global response to food 
security assistance for West Africa); (In-door spraying to fighting 
malaria) and Mercy Ships Medical Mission in Benin). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled "Obama annonce vendredi ses plans de 
retrait d'Irak." (Obama will announce on Friday his plan to pull out 
of Iraq). 
 
An article in Le Challenge, titled "La Mission au Benin de Madame 
Aleta J. Williams, Experte en Education." (Mrs. Aleta J. Willams, 
Education Expert's mission to Benin). 
 
¶2. Electronic media: 
 
During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station 
which covers the entire country broadcast lengthy reports on all 
Mission-hosted activities, in French and all major local languages; 
several privately-owned radio and TV stations including the most 
prominent Cotonou-based Golfe TV, a new VOA partner, Canal 3, also 
covered most Mission events.  In partnership with VOA, Golfe FM 
regularly aired VOA news in English and French, from Monday through 
Friday. VOA news in French on Golfe FM is broadcast every morning 
(Monday through Friday), beginning at 7:30, while the news in 
English is scheduled from Monday through Friday, beginning at 
17:30. 
 
Brown