VZCZCXRO5216
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0282/01 1871004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061004Z JUL 09 ZDK ZDK ZDK (MULTIPLE REQUESTS)
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1007
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1477
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COTONOU 000282 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY), AF/W (VHARPER) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO BN
SUBJECT: COTONOU: JUNE, 2009 REPORT ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND 
MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS 
 
COTONOU 00000282  001.2 OF 005 
 
 
¶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. 
 
¶2. Print media 
 
June 2 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily newspapers 
L'Autre Quotidien and Fraternite, and in the left-of-center 
independent daily Le Matin, titled "Millenium Challenge Account: une 
delegation nigeriane visite le programme." (Millenium Challenge 
Account: a Nigerian delegation paid a courtesy visit to the 
program). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore, titled 
" Lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes: les populations de 
Tori-Bossito formees grace au Projet Empower. " (Fighting 
gender-based violence: the populations of Tori-Bossito have been 
trained thanks to the Empower Project). 
 
June 3 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the state-controlled daily La Nation, the 
right-of-center independent daily, L'Autre Quotidien, and the 
left-of-center independent daily, La Nouvelle Tribune, titled 
"Entretien avec Simon Pierre Adovelande: nous avons de reelles 
inquietudes par rapport au projet Acces a la Justice." (Interview 
with Simon Pierre Adovelande: We are seriously concerned about the 
implementation of the Access to Justice project). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, La Nouvelle 
Gazette, titled "Obama nomme un republicain au poste de Secretaire 
d'Etat a l'Armee de Terre." (Obama appoints a Republican to the 
Position of Secretary of State for the Ground Armed Forces). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Aurore, 
titled "Vol AF447: l'armee americaine envoie un avion pour 
participer aux recherches." (Flight AF447: U.S. Army sends a plane 
to participate in the search). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Fraternite, and 
the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matin, titled " Entretien 
avec le Coordonnateur National du MCA-Benin: je suis convaincu que 
le motif du gouvernement est d'assurer pleinement sa responsabilite. 
"  (Interview with MCA-Benin's National Coordinator: I have the 
conviction that the government will be committed to fully fulfilling 
its obligations). 
 
June 4 
An article in Le Matin titled, " Visite: le President Obama en 
Arabie Saoudite. " (President Obama's visit in Saudi-Arabia). 
 
June 5 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, Le Matin, Fraternite and La Nation, 
titled " 7eme session ordinaire du Millenium Challenge Account au 
Benin: une session decisive pour la reussite du programme. " (7th 
ordinary session of the Millenium Challenge Account Program in 
Benin: a crucial session for the success of the program).  L'Autre 
Quotidien also carried three other articles titled: " Relations 
Etats-Unis - Monde musulman: Barack Obama veut un nouveau depart. " 
(Relations between the United States and the Muslim world: Barack 
Obama wants a new beginning). 
" Ben Laden tente de brouiller le discours d'Obama aux musulmans. " 
(Bin Laden is making an attempt to blur Obama's speech to the Muslim 
world). 
" Accord europeen sur les conditions d'accueil des prisonniers de 
Guantanamo. " (European accord on the hosting conditions of the 
Guantanamo prisoners). 
 
June 8 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Le Challenge, 
titled "Conference sur le theme MCA: Quelle contribution au 
developpement du Benin?" (Conference on the topic: MCA: What 
contribution to Benin's development). 
 
An article in L'Aurore titled, " Violence basee sur le genre: le 
projet Empower sensibilise les femmes de Womey. " (Gender-based 
violence: the Empower project sensitizes the women of Womey). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien and Le Matin titled, " Universite 
d'Abomey-Calavi: les etudiants soutiennent les actions de 
developpement du MCA-Benin. " (The students of the University of 
Abomey-Calavi support MCA-Benin's development actions).  L'Autre 
Quotidien also carried an article titled, " La Coree du Nord est sur 
la liste des Etats terroristes. " (North Korea is on the list of 
terrorist states).  Le Matin also carried an article titled "Barack 
 
COTONOU 00000282  002.2 OF 005 
 
 
Obama a quitte Paris." (Barack Obama left Paris). 
 
An article in La Nation, titled, " Violences basees sur le genre: 
les journalistes a l'ecole du projet EMPOWER. " (Gender-based 
violence: reporters participated in a training session sponsored by 
the EMPOWER project). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " Programme de 
developpement: un cercle d'etudiants pour soutenir les actions de 
MCA-Benin. " (Development program: a group of students to support 
the actions of MCA-Benin). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Option Infos, 
titled "Manoeuvres militaries a Bembereke: des elements des Forces 
Armees Americaines arrivent au Benin." (Military training in 
Bembereke: U.S. service members arrive in Benin for the Shared 
Accord). 
 
An article in Fraternite titled, "Cooperation militaire 
benino-americaine: plus 1000 Marines en simulation de crise a 
Bembereke." (U.S.-Benin military cooperation: more than 1000 Marines 
on military training at Bembereke). 
 
June 9 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien titled, "Realisation des plans 
fonciers ruraux dans l'Alibori: Simon Pierre Adovelande satisfait de 
l'avancee des travaux a Gogounou." (Achieving the land safety 
project in the department of Alibori: Simon Pierre Adovelande is 
satisfied with the work being done at Gogounou). 
L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article based on the transcripts 
of President Obama's interview with reporters in Cairo titled, 
"Obama face a la presse du Caire sur le Moyen-Orient: la situation 
exige un engagement serieux a long terme des Etats-Unis." (Obama's 
interview with reporters in Cairo on the situation in the 
Middle-East: the situation requires a serious and long-term 
commitment by the United States). 
 
An article in L'Informateur titled, "Operation Dumagnore 2009: les 
Forces Armees Beninoises renforcent leur capacite." (Doumagnore 
2009: Benin services members reinforce their capacity). 
 
June 10 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " Exercice 
benino-americain denommne Doumagnore 2009: les activites militaires 
demarrent ce jour. " (Joint military training between Benin and the 
United Stated called Doumagnore 2009: the training activities begin 
today). 
 
An article in the centrist independent daily Le Telegramme titled, " 
Affaire de vente d'un domaine de l'Ambassade du Benin aux 
Etats-Unis: le prevenu libere. " (Scandalous sale of a piece of land 
belonging to the Embassy of Benin to the United States: the suspect 
has been released).  Le Telegramme also carried another article 
titled, "Obama tres inquiet de la condamnation de deux journalistes 
americains en Coree du Nord. " (Obama is seriously concerned about 
the conviction of two American journalists in North Korea). 
 
An article in Le Matin titled, "Manoeuvres militaries 
benino-americaines: des elements des forces americaines arrivent au 
Benin. " (Military training between Benin and the United States : 
U.S. service members arrive in Benin for Shared Accord). Le Matin 
also carried another article titled, "Realisation de plans fonciers 
ruraux a Sinende: Adovelande apprecie l'avancee des travaux." 
(Achieving rural land safety survey at Sinende: Adovelande 
appreciates the progress made). 
 
An article in La Nation titled, " Exercice Doumagnore 2009: les 
manoeuvres demarrent ce jour. " (Doumagnore 2009: the military 
training  begins today). La Nation also carried another article 
titled, " Le foncier a Gogounou: le MCA-Benin a la rencontre des 
comites locaux de gestion. " (Achieving rural land safety at 
Gogounou: MCA-Benin meets with the local management committee). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Exercice benino-americain 
denomme " Doumagnore 2009: les activites militaires demarrent ce 
jour. " (Military training named Doumagnore 2009: the training 
activities begin today).  Also in La Nouvelle Tribune, there was an 
article titled, " Realisation des Plans Fonciers Ruraux dans le 
Nord: Adovelande s'impregne de l'evolution des travaux a Gogounou. " 
(Achieving rural land safety in Northern Benin: Adovelande is 
informed about the progress made). 
 
June 11 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien titled, " MCA-Benin / Projet Acces 
au Foncier: Sinende et Save reiterent leur engagement. " 
(MCA-Benin's Access to Land project: the cities of Sinende and Save 
reiterate their commitment). 
 
COTONOU 00000282  003.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
June 12 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin titled, " Realisation des Plans Fonciers 
Ruraux dans les collines: les Tchabe s'engagent a reussir le projet. 
" (Implementing the land safety project in the department of 
Collines: The Tchabe commit themselves to making the project a 
success). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme titled, "Exercie militaire 
benino-americain: lancement de Doumagnore 2009." (Military training 
between Benin and the United States: launching of Doumagnore 2009). 
 
 
June 15 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Fraternite titled, " Realisation des Plans Fonciers 
Ruraux: MCA-Benin s'impregne des difficultes rencontrees sur le 
terrain. " (Implementing the land safety project: MCA-Benin is 
traveling around the country to learn about the difficulties 
hampering the smooth running of the program). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " MCA-Benin/Realisation 
des Plans Fonciers Ruraux: des avancees notables a Agbangnizoun et a 
Allada. " (Implementing MCA-Benin's land safety project: some 
remarkable progress has been made in Agbangnizoun and Allada). 
 
Three articles in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur 
titled: "Le projet veterinaire d'assistance civile vise a entretenir 
les relations entre les Etats-Unis et le Benin. " (Veterinary 
assistance project aims at fostering US-Benin relations).  " La 
ceremonie d'ouverture marque le lancement de Doumagnore 2009. " (The 
opening ceremony marks the launching of Doumagnore 2009). " Les 
soldats du Genie Maritime procedent a la renovation d'un champ de 
tir au cours de Doumagnore 2009. " (Seabees renovate a shooting 
range for Shared Accord 2009). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled " Manoeuvres militaires 
benino-americaines: lancement de Doumagnore 2009. " (U.S.-Benin 
military cooperation: launching of Doumagnore 2009). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled " projet veterinaire 
d'assistance civile : Dynamiser les relations entre les Etats-Unis 
et le peuple beninois. " (Veterinary project fosters U.S.-Benin 
relations). 
 
June 16 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin, titled " Lutte contre les violences faites 
aux femmes: des journalists formes pour appuyer le projet. " 
(Fighting gender-based violence: reporters have been trained to 
support the project.)  Le Matin also carried an article titled, " 
Millenium Challenge Account: lancement du deuxieme appel a 
proposition de projet pour beneficier de la subvention de la 
facilite du MCA-Benin. " (Millenium Challenge Account: second 
announcement inviting qualified businessmen and entrepreneurs to 
submit viable projects to benefit from MCA-Benin's facility grant). 
 
 
An article in Fraternite titled, " Atelier de formation des 
journalistes a Lokossa sur les violences faites aux femmes. " 
(Training workshop in Lokossa on the topic Gender-based violence). 
 
June 19 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Telegramme titled, " Causerie sur le livre Pratique 
du Journalisme: Mention Bien au Centre Culturel Americain. " (Book 
discussion on the book titled Practicing Journalism as a profession: 
Speaker gets credit for his presentation at the American Cultural 
Center). 
 
An article in La Nation titled, " Fin de Doumagonre 2009: 
satisfaction partagee des etats-majors et des populations. " (End of 
Doumagnore 2009: feelings of satisfaction from both sides and from 
the populations). 
 
An article in Le Matinal and La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " 
Cooperation benino-americaine: l'exercice militaire Doumagnore prend 
fin ce jour. " (U.S.-Benin cooperation : Doumagnore comes to an end 
today). 
 
June 22 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune and Le Matin titled, " Projet 
Acces au Foncier: MCA-Benin lance les consultations publiques sur le 
livre blanc. " (Access to land project: launching of public 
consultations on the white paper). Le Matin also carried another 
article titled, " Millenium Challenge Account: lancement du deuxieme 
appel a proposition de projets pour beneficier de la subvention de 
la facilite du MCA-Benin. " (Millenium Challenge Account: second 
 
COTONOU 00000282  004.2 OF 005 
 
 
announcement inviting eligible members to submit applications in 
order to benefit from the facility grant). 
 
June 23 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Fraternite titled, " Projet Acces au Foncier du 
Millenium Challenge Account: la vulgarisation du livre blanc sur le 
foncier touche l'Oueme et le Plateau. " (MCA-Benin's Access to Land 
project: the popularization of the White Paper 
covers the departments of Oueme and Plateau). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the Mission-produced press 
release, titled, "Inauguration du nouveau refectoire de l'orphelinat 
d'Abomey." (Opening of the new dining hall at the Abomey 
Orphanage). 
 
An article in L'Informateur titled, " Causerie autour du livre 
Pratique du Journalisme: l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis renforce la 
capacite des journalistes beninois. " (Book discussion on the topic 
Practice Journalism as a Profession: the Embassy of the United 
States reinforces the capacity of the Beninese journalists). 
 
An article in L'Aurore titled, "Obama signe une loi anti-tabac tres 
restrictive." (Obama signs a restrictive anti-tobacco law). 
 
June 24 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation titled, "Obama face a la presse pour tenter 
de retrouver l'elan de la campagne." (Obama meets the press in an 
order to regain his campaign momentum). 
La Nation also carried two other articles titled: 
"Violences faites aux filles et aux femmes: eradiquer le phenomene 
en milieu scolaire beninois. " (Gender-based violence to girls and 
women : eradicate the problem in schools). 
"Acces des enterprises aux services financiers: amener les banques a 
mieux cerner les besoins des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises. " 
(Access to credit: assist the banks to better understand the needs 
of the small and medium enterprises). 
 
An article in L'Informateur titled, " Manoeuvres militaries 
benino-americaines Doumagnore 2009: l'exercice a mieux outille 
l'armee beninoise. " (U.S.-Benin military cooperation: the training 
exercise really reinforced the capacity of the Beninese service 
members).  L'Informateur also carried another article titled, " 
Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: inauguration du nouveau 
refectoire de l'orphelinat d'Abomey. " (Embassy of the United States 
of America: Opening of a new dining hall at the Abomey orphanage). 
 
 
June 25 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Informateur and L'Option Infos, based on the 
Mission-produced press release, titled, "Ambassade des Etats-Unis 
d'Amerique: inauguration du nouveau refectoire de l'orphelinat 
d'Abomey." (Embassy of the United States of America: opening of a 
new dining hall at the Abomey Orphanage). 
 
An article in Le Matin titled, " Millenium Challenge Account: 
lancement du deuxieme appel a proposition de projets pour beneficier 
de la subvention de la facilite du MCA-Benin. " (Millenium Challenge 
Account: publication of the second announcement inviting eligible 
members of the public to submit viable projects in order to benefit 
from the facility grant). 
 
An article in Fraternite titled, " Atelier de restitution publique 
sur le livre blanc de politique fonciere au Benin: les acteurs 
fonciers du Borgou-Alibori s'approprient le document. " (Workshop on 
the popularization of the government's white paper on the land 
safety policy in Benin: the land surveyors in the departments of 
Borgou-Alibori appreciate the content of the document). 
 
June 26 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, based on the Mission-produced 
press release, titled, "Inauguration du nouveau refectoire de 
l'orphelinat d'Abomey." (Opening of a new dining hall at the 
orphanage of Abomey). 
 
June 30 
An article in La Nation, La Nouvelle Tribune and Le Matin titled, " 
Retard des reformes liees au programme MCA-Benin: le gouvernement en 
voie de perdre 87 milliards FCFA." (Delay in carrying out the 
reforms related to the implementation of the MCA-Benin program: the 
government is about to lose 87 billion FCFA).  Le Matin also carried 
four other articles titled: 
"Michael Jackson innoncente aprhs sa mort: Jordan Chandler aurait-il 
menti en 1993? " (Michael Jackson found innocent after his death: 
did Jordan Chandler lie in 1993?) 
" L'heritage animal de Michael Jackon pose aussi problem. " (Michael 
Jackson's zoological heritage is also a problem). 
 
COTONOU 00000282  005.2 OF 005 
 
 
" Le mystere demeure autour de la mort de Michael Jackson. " 
(Mystery persists over Michael Jackson's death). 
" Michael Jackson: le chanteur etait dans un etat epouvantable au 
moment de son deces. " (Michael Jackson: the singer was in a 
horrible state at the moment of his death). 
An article in Le Telegramme titled, " Etats-Unis: 150 ans de prison 
pour Bernard Madoff. " (United States: Bernard Madoff gets a 
150-year prison sentence). 
 
Three articles in L'Informateur, related to the death of Michael 
Jackson  titled: " Enquete sur la mort de Michael Jackson: possible 
overdose de narcotiques. " (Investigations about the death of 
Michael Jackson: possible narcotics overdose). 
"Avec ses arrieres estimes a 500 millions de dollars, Jackson legue 
une montagne de dettes." (With his arrears estimated at 500 million 
dollars, Jackson leaves behind a mountain of debts). 
"Deces de Michael Jackson: la monumentale oeuvre du roi de la Pop. " 
(Michael Jackson's death: the monumental legacy of the king of Pop 
music). 
 
An article in La Nation, based on the Washington Daily File article 
501 of June 29 titled, "Les Etats-Unis cherchent a favoriser 
l'acceleration de la croissance economique en Afrique. " (The United 
States seek to favor speedy economic growth in Africa).  La Nation 
also carried another article titled, "Lutte contre les violences 
faites aux femmes et aux filles: bienttt des prix aux meilleures 
communes. " (Fighting gender-based violence: the best districts will 
soon receive an award). 
 
¶3. Electronic Media: 
 
During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station, 
covering the entire country, broadcast lengthy reports on most 
Mission-hosted activities in French and all major local languages. 
The state-controlled ORTB TV station covered and carried news 
segments on some activities that the Mission jointly organized with 
the government, such as the bilateral military training.  ORTB TV 
also covered and broadcast a lengthy report on Post's June 18 book 
discussion. 
 
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 
Cafe series in English. Because this series is very popular here, it 
has already been broadcast three times, on demand by the public, and 
LC2 is currently getting in touch with Post to find out if we have 
another series to offer them. 
 
Boustani