VZCZCXRO4941
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0227/01 1481101
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281101Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0946
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1449
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000227 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (ACOOK) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO 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: 
 
April 1 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, 
titled "Sommet des G20: les travaux sur fond de divergence." (The 
G20 summit: the discussions took place amidst disagreement among the 
members). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, titled 
"Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): Visite au Benin du 
vice-President Darius Mans." (Millennium Challenge Corporation: 
Deputy Director Darius Mans' visit to Benin). 
 
An article in the government-controlled La Nation, titled "Signature 
d'accord de subvention de la facilite: 40 projets porteurs 
subventionns par le MCA. " Signing of grant agreement for the 
facility : 40 viable projects financed by the Millennium Challenge 
Account - MCA). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matinal, 
titled "Accord de subvention entre MCA et les premiers beneficiaires 
de facilite: le projet d'appui entre dans sa phase active. " (Grant 
agreement between MCA and the first facility grantees: the financial 
support project reaches its level of implementation). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily La Nouvelle 
Tribune, titled "MCA-Benin / The Access to Credit project: more than 
5 billion cfa to assist the micro and small enterprises). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Autre 
Quotidien, titled "Fonds d'aide a la facilite du MCA-Benin: plus de 
5 milliards de FCFA pour 40 Pme." (MCA-Benin's facility assistance: 
more than 5 billion CFA for 40 small and medium enterprises). 
 
April 3 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Telegramme, 
titled "Point de presse au Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres: Issa 
Badarou nomme nouveau President du Conseil d'Administration du 
MCA-Benin. " (Press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 
Issa Badarou appointed new President of MCA-Benin's board of 
governors). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Millenium Challenge Account-Benin: 
Issa Badarou preside le Conseil d'Administration." (Millennium 
Challenge Account-Benin: Issa Badarou, President of the board of 
governors). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Liste des 40 projets 
selectionnes pour beneficier  des subventions de la facilite. " 
(List of the 40 projects selected to benefit from the facility 
grant).  La Nouvelle Tribune also carried another article titled 
"Millennium Challenge Account, Benin: le Ministre Issa badarou a la 
tete du Conseil d'Administration." (Millennium Challenge Account, 
Benin: Minister Issa Badarou to head the board of governors). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Nouvelle 
Expression, titled "Millennium Challenge Account: un nouveau depart 
pour combler le retard." (Millennium Challenge Account: a new deal 
to catch up). 
 
An article in La Nation, titled "Cooperation Benin-USA: Le Conseil 
d'Administration du MCA-Benin recompose." (U.S.-Benin cooperation: 
MCA-Benin's board of governors modified). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Option Infos, 
titled "Polemique sur la mise en oeuvre du MCA-Benin: les mises au 
point de l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis." (Debate over the 
implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account program in Benin: 
the Embassy of the United States of America meets with the press to 
address   the true version of the story). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Evenement 
Precis, titled "Declaration de Madame Gayleatha B. Brown, 
Ambassadeur des Etats-Unis pres le Benin: nous n'avons aucun 
desaccord avec l'etat beninois." (Statement by U.S. Ambassador 
Gayleatha B. Brown: We have no disagreement with the government of 
Benin.  L'Evenement Precis also carried an article titled "An 9 de 
l'Agoa: un bilan en trompe-l'oeil." (9th Year of AGOA: A flattering 
result). 
 
April 4 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Le Challenge, 
based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release titled 
"Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: seminaire international sur 
 
COTONOU 00000227  002 OF 004 
 
 
les Droits de l'Homme et le Droit Humanitaire International." 
(Embassy of the United States of America: International Seminar on 
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law). 
 
April 6 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Modification du Conseil 
d'Administration de MCA-Benin : le oui conditionnel des Americains. 
" (Modification of MCA-Benin's board of governors : the conditional 
yes of the American authorities). 
 
An article in the centrist independent daily Le Municipal, titled 
"Cooperation Benin-USA: Issa Badarou, President du Conseil 
d'Administration du MCA-Benin pour un nouveau depart." (U.S.-Benin 
cooperation: Issa Badarou becomes President of MCA-Benin's board of 
governors for a new deal). 
 
 
April 7 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Le Fleuron, 
titled "Millennium Challenge Corporation, Benin: Issa Badarou prend 
la tete du Conseil d'Administration." (Millennium Challenge 
Corporation, Benin: Issa Badarou heads the board of governors). 
 
An article in le Matin, titled "Visite de travail au Benin: Mme 
Vivian Lowery Derryck arrive pour des conferences. " (Working visit 
to Benin : Mrs. Vivian Lowery Derryck arrives in Benin to deliver a 
series of conferences on the topics of Girls Education, Gender-based 
violence and Women's leadership). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore titled 
"Obama: les Etats-Unis ne sont pas en guerre contre l'Islam." 
(Obama: the United States is not in war against Islam). 
 
An article in  Nouvelle Expression, titled "Obama choisit la Turquie 
pour tenter de rassurer le monde musulman. " (Obama chooses Turkey 
in trying to reassure the Islamic world). 
 
April 8 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, Le Matin, L'Aurore and Le 
Telegramme, titled "En Irak, Obama met en garde contre 18 prochains 
mois critiques. " (While visiting Iraq, Obama warns about the next 
18 difficult months). 
 
An article in L'Option Infos, titled " Conference publique de Mme 
Vivian Lowery Derryck : l'education des filles et les violences 
faites aux femmes abordees. " (Public conference by Mrs. Vivian 
Lowery Derryck on the topic of Girls' education and Gender-based 
violence). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Barack Obama en visite 
impromptue en Irak. " (Barack Obama's unscheduled visit to Iraq). 
 
April 9 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Aurore titled "Un marin americain en otage aprhs un 
assaut de pirates somaliens. " (A US sailor taken hostage after 
being attacked by Somalian pirates). 
L'Aurore also carried an article titled "une journaliste 
irano-americaine inculpee d'espionnage a Teheran." (An 
Iranian-American journalist charged with spying in Teheran). 
 
April 14 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Voyages, transfer d'argent: Obama va 
lever des restrictions visant Cuba." (Travels and transfer of money: 
Obama will lift restrictions targeting Cuba). 
 
April 15 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Le gouvernement americain 
se mobilize contre les punaises. " (The government of the United 
States is taking the necessary steps to fight against the bugs). 
L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article titled "Les troupes 
americaines pourraient rester a Mossoul au-dela du 30 juin." (The 
American troops may remain in Mossoul beyond June 30). 
 
An article in Fraternite, titled " Crise financiere mondiale : 
regain d'optimisme aux Etats-Unis d'ici a la fin de l'ete. " (World 
financial crisis: renewed optimism between now and the end of 
summer). 
 
April 16 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the political situation in 
Togo, titled "The United States rejects Kpatcha's request for 
political asylum). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article, titled 
"Premiere visite en Amerique latine pour Barack Obama." (Barack 
 
COTONOU 00000227  003 OF 004 
 
 
Obama's First Trip to Latin America). 
 
An article in Le Matinal, based on the entirety of a press release 
issued by the American Embassy about the political situation in 
Togo." 
 
An article about the political situation in Togo in the 
left-of-center L'Informateur, titled "Togo-Politique: Kpatcha 
Gnassingbe interpelle devant l'ambassade americaine." (Politics in 
Togo: Kpatcha Gnassingbe arrested in front of the American 
Embassy). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Football/Mondial 2010: Obama veut la 
coupe." (World Cup 2010: Obama wants the United States to win the 
cup). 
 
April 17 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "La rumeur d'une 
eventuelle candidature de Pierre Adovelande a l'election 
presidentielle de 2011 fait son chemin : l'enigme Adovelende." 
(Persistent rumors about Pierre Adovelande's candidacy for the 2011 
presidential election in Benin : the enigmatic Adovelande). 
 
April 20 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the centrist independent daily Le Municipal, the 
government-controlled La Nation and the right-of-center independent 
daily L'Aurore, about the Mission-sponsored training program for 
10.000 primary school teachers titled "Bientot 10.000 instituteurs 
pour renforcer l'enseignement primaire." (10.000 teachers soon to 
reinforce primary education).  La Nation also carried an article 
titled "Attentif a l'Amerique Latine, Obama tend la main a Cuba." 
(In watching carefully the situation in Latina America, Obama gives 
Cuba a helping hand). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Obama tend la main a Cuba 
au sommet des Ameriques. " (At the summit of the  Americas, Obama 
calls on Cuba for talks.). 
 
An article in  Le Matin, titled "Soutien au Maroc: le Congres 
adresse une letter au President Obama." (Support to Morocco : 
Congress sends a letter to President Obama). 
Le Matin also carried an article titled "Etats-Unis: le couple 
presidentiel a declare 2 millions d'Euros de revenue en 2008." 
(United States: the presidential couple reported a revenue of 2 
millions Euros in 2008). 
 
April 21 
The following articles were published: 
An article in la Nouvelle Tribune and Nouvelle Expression, based on 
the entirety of the Mission-produced press release about the 
training of 10,000 teachers for the primary education in Benin 
titled ". 
 
April 22 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, titled "Sommet des Ameriques: Barack Obama 
se felicite de l'aspect constructif de la conference. " (Americas 
summit : Barack Obama happy about the constructive nature of the 
conference). 
 
An article in Fraternite, titled "Reunion du G20 a Washington: 
semaine importante sur les marches boursiers. " (G20 summit in 
Washington : important week for the World stock exchanges). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, 
titled "Etats-Unis: Barack Obama defend son plan energetique." 
(United States: Barack Obama defends his energy policy). 
 
April 23 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, L'Autre Quotidien, La Nouvelle Tribune and 
Le Matin, about the handover of military equipment to the Beninese 
army between the framework of ACOTA titled "Remise de materiel 
roulant aux Forces Armees Beninoises: les Etats-Unis appuient 
l'effort du gouvernement." (Handover of vehicles to the Beninese 
armed Forces: the United States support the government effort). 
 
La Nouvelle Tribune, also carried an article titled "USA: suicide du 
Directeur Financier de Freddie Mac. " (United States : suicide of 
Freddie Mac's Financial Director). 
L'Autre Quotidien, also carried an article titled "Etats-Unis: la 
CIA defend ses techniques d'interrogatoire. " (United States: the 
CIA defends its interrogation techniques). La Nation and 
L'Informateur, also carried an article titled "EMPOWER: 30 Millions 
pour fcfa pour soutenir des strategies de lutte contre les Violences 
faites aux Femmes. " (The Empower projects donates 30 millions fcfa 
to support strategies to eradicate gender-based violence). 
 
COTONOU 00000227  004 OF 004 
 
 
 
April 24 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune and Le Matin, based on the 
entirety of Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown's opinion editorial on 
World Malaria Day. 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the entirety of the 
Mission-produced press release on World Malaria Day. 
L'Autre Quotidien also carried an editorial titled "USA-Cuba: vers 
la fin de l'embargo? " (USA-Cuba : towards the end of the embargo?) 
 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, about the handover of military 
equipment titled "Les Etats-Unis renforcent les moyens roulants de 
l'armee beninoise." (The United States reinforces the automobile 
assets of Benin's Armed Forces). 
 
April 27 
An article in La Nation, titled "Irak: Hillary Clinton en visite 
surprise a Bagdad." (Iraq: Hillary Clinton's unscheduled visit to 
Bagdad). 
 
An article in Le Matinal, titled "Obama: 100 jours de rupture tous 
azimuts. " (Obama : 100 days of change in all spheres of life). 
 
An article in Fraternite, titled " Reunion du G7 et du G20 a 
Washington : les premiers signes de stabilisation  de l'economie." 
(The G7 and G20 summits in Washington: the first signals of 
stabilization of the economy). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled "Le Numero 2 d'Al-Qaida ereinte la 
strategie de Barrack Obama en Afghanistan. " (The Deputy Chief of 
Al-Qaida jeopardizes Barack Obama's strategy in Afghanistan). 
 
An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Violences faites aux 
Femmes: le projet EMPOWER offre du soutien financier a 15 Ong." 
(Gender-based violence: the EMPOWER project grants financial support 
to 15 NGOs). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, congratulating Ambassador Gayleatha B. 
Brown for her effort to assist the Beninese army with vehicles. The 
article was flanked by the Ambassador's photo. 
 
April 29 
An article in Le Matin and L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Barack Obama 
impose en 100 jours une rupture d'idelogie." 
(In 100 days, Barack Obama imposes a break with the former 
ideology). 
 
April 30 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, Vox Populi, Le Matin and 
L'Aurore, titled " Les 100 premiers jours de Barack Obama a la 
Maison Blanche. " (Barack Obama's first 100 days in the White 
House). 
 
¶2. Electronic media: 
 
During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station that 
covers the entire country broadcast lengthy reports on most 
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 and 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. 
A former WorldNet partner, LC2, continues to broadcast the Crossroad 
Caf series in English. 
Boustani