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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
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FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1067
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000355 
 
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 
 
¶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 
 
July 1 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matin, titled 
"Etats-Unis: Obama en tete d'un sondage sur les dirigeants du 
monde." (United States: Obama on top of an opinion poll about the 
world leaders). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Aurore, 
titled "USA: Madoff condamne a 150 ans de prison pour sa gigantesque 
escroquerie." (United States: Madoff sentenced to 150 years in jail 
for his gigantic financial fraud), and a second article titled 
"Irak: debut de la fete pour le depart de soldats americains." 
(Iraq: beginning of the celebration for the pullout of US troops). 
 
July 2 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: Neverland se prepare aux 
funerailles de Michael Jackson."United Stated: Neverland is making 
preparations for Michael Jackson's funeral), and another article 
titled "Un village en Ukraine veut se rebaptiser Jackson." (A 
village in Ukraine now wants to change its name to be called 
Jackson). 
 
July 3 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Autre 
Quotidien, titled "Execution du programme Millenium Challenge 
Account (MCA-Benin): le gouvernement sauve de justesse les deux 
projets menaces." (Implementing the Millenium Challenge Account 
(MCA-Benin) program: the government only just saved the two projects 
that were threatened). 
 
July 6 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin titled, "Hommage a Michael Jackson: des 
centaines de millions de fans se preparent aux adieux." (Tribute to 
Michael Jackson: a hundred million fans are preparing for the 
funeral). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Le Telegramme, 
titled "Celebration du 233eme anniversaire de la fete nationale des 
Etats-Unis: le gouvernement beninois etait vivement represente." 
(Celebration of the 233rd anniversary of U.S. Independence Day: the 
government of Benin was well represented). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled, "Violences faites aux femmes et aux 
filles: l'ONG Sin do du Projet Empower sensibilise les notables de 
Kpomasse. " (Gender-based violence: Empower's Sin Do NGO Sensitizes 
the dignitaries of Kpomasse). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, L'Informateur, 
titled "Obseques: des villageois ivoiriens reclament le coprs de 
Michael Jackson, leur fils et prince." (Funeral: people from a 
village in Ivory-Coast request to have the remains of Michael 
Jackson, their son and Prince). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the entirety of President 
Obama's National Day remarks, titled " Les Etats-Unis resteront a 
jamais le dernier et le meilleur espoir sur terre. " (The United 
States will forever remain the last and the best hope on earth). 
 
July 7 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Obama va visiter le Fort de 
Cape-Coast." (Obama will visit Cape Coast Castle). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled " Barack Obama confiant dans 
les progres des relations avec Moscou. " (Barack Obama is optimistic 
about the progress made in the relations with Moscow) and an 
editorial in the same newspaper titled "Russie-USA: Quand deux 
grands se donnent la main." (Russia-United States: when two 
super-powers shake hands with each other). L'Autre Quotidien also 
carried an announcement from the Public Affairs Section, inviting 
the public to the American Cultural Center to watch President 
Obama's speech in Accra. 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, 
titled "233eme anniversaire de l'independance des Etats-Unis: 
l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis au Benin celebre l'evenement. " (233rd 
anniversary of U.S. Independence Day: the Embassy of the United 
States to Benin celebrates the event). The half-page article was 
accompanied by the cake cutting photo. 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, titled "USA: La magie Obama n'opere pas 
en Russie." (United States: the Obama magic does not work in 
 
COTONOU 00000355  002 OF 004 
 
 
Russia). 
 
An article in L'Aurore, titled "Accord Obama-Medvedev pour une 
reduction des armes nucleaiares." (The Obama-Medvedev accord for the 
reduction of nuclear capability). 
 
July 8 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the government-controlled La Nation, titled "A los 
Angeles, Michael Jackson recoit l'hommage planetaire de ses fans." 
(In Los Angeles, Michael Jackson receives a planetary tribute from 
his fans). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Le Telegramme, 
titled "La visite de Barack Obama au Ghana dans la presse africaine: 
l'Amerique salue l'exemple de democratie pour l'Afrique. " (Barack 
Obama's visit to Ghana in the African press : America salutes the 
example of democracy for Africa). 
Le Telegramme carried a second article titled "Funerailles de 
Michael Jackson: un hommage memorial rendu hier au Roi de la Pop 
music. " (Michael Jackson's funerals : a memorial tribute to the 
King of Pop Music). 
 
Four articles in Le Matin, titled: 
"Obama: Michael Jackson, l'un des plus grands artistes de notre 
generation. " (Michael Jackson, one of the most talented artists of 
our generation).  "Choeurs, poemes et chansons en hommage a Michael 
Jackson a Los Angeles. " (Chorus, poems and songs to pay tribute to 
Michael Jackson in Los Angeles).  "Sur les cinq continents, les fans 
rendent hommage a Michael Jackson." (On  five continents, fans pay 
last tribute to Michael Jackson). 
" Paris, la fille de Michael Jackson : depuis que je suis nee, il a 
ete le pere le plus merveilleux pour moi. " (Paris, Michael 
Jackson's daughter: Since I was born, he has been the most wonderful 
father to me).  Le Matin also carried the greatest dates of Michael 
Jackson's lifetime achievements. 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Obama souhaite un 
partenariat durable avec la Russie." (Obama wishes a sustainable 
partnership with Russia). 
 
July 9 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Telegramme, titled " Etats-Unis et Russie: un 
nouveau depart. " (United States and Russia : a new deal) 
 
An article in L'Informateur, titled " Atelier de formation pour la 
lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes : Empower outille les 
elus locaux de Bohicon. " (Workshop on Gender-based violence: 
EMPOWER provides training for the local community in Bohicon). 
 
July 10 
An article in L'Aurore, titled "Cameroun: l'Amerique aidera au 
rapatriement des biens mal acquis. " (Cameroon : the United States 
will assist in remitting the stolen funds). 
 
A lengthy article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on President Obama's 
answers to the SMS questions sent to him by Africans. The article is 
titled " Il est tres important que les dirigeants africains soient 
obliges  de rendre des comptes. " (It is very important that African 
leaders be accountable for their tenure in office).  L'Autre 
Quotidien also carried two other articles titled: "Obama au Ghana: 
tourisme historique et democratie africaine au menu." (Obama in 
Ghana: the President's trip is an historical tourism during which 
the status of democracy in Africa will be addressed).  "Etats-Unis: 
le nombre des nouvelles inscriptions au chomage atteint son plus bas 
niveau depuis janvier. " (United States : the number of the 
registered jobless persons has reached its lowest level since 
January). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Ghana: la visite d'Obama fait des 
jaloux dans certains pays africains." (Some African countries are 
jealous about the choice of Ghana to host President Obama's visit). 
 
An article in Fraternite and la Nouvelle Tribune, based on President 
Obama's interview with Allafrica.Com titled "Les africains sont 
responsables du developpement et de la prosperite de l'Afrique. " 
(Africans are responsible for the development and prosperity of 
Africa).  Fraternite also carried a second article titled "Visite de 
Barack Obama au Ghana: le Benin ne restera pas en marge de 
l'evenement. " (President Obama's visit to Ghana : Benin will also 
be a part of the event). 
 
An article in  Le Telegramme, about the political situation in 
Honduras titled "Un coup d'etat qui ne dit pas son nom. " (A coup 
d'Etat that they do not want to describe as such). 
 
July 13 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, Le Telegramme and L'Avenir, 
 
COTONOU 00000355  003 OF 004 
 
 
titled "Au Ghana, Obama a appele les Africains a prendre en main 
leur destinee."(In Ghana, Obama called to the African leaders to 
take their destiny in their hands). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on President Obama's speech 
in Ghana titled "Le President Obama au Ghana: l'Afrique n'est pas a 
l'ecart des affaires du monde. " (President Obama in Ghana : Africa 
is not isolated from international affairs). 
L'Autre Quotidien also carried an editorial titled "Ghana: l'espoir 
africain de Barack Obama." (Ghana: Barack Obama's African hope). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily La Presse du 
Jour, titled "En marge de la visite du President americain au Ghana, 
le CCA au Benin a projete " Obama, l'homme qu'on n'attendait. "  (As 
part of the activities scheduled to mark President Obama's visit to 
Ghana, the American Cultural Center in Benin showed the film titled 
"Obama, the man whose arrival on the scene nobody expected"). 
 
July 14 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Telegramme, titled "Visite au Ghana: Obama donne 
une prime a la democratie." (Visit to Ghana: Obama encourages the 
promotion of democracy). 
 
An article in the state-controlled La Nation, titled "Visite 
historique du Prsident Obama au Ghana." (President Obama's 
historical trip to Ghana). La Nation carried a second article titled 
"Cour Supreme Americaine: Sonia Sotomayor a debute son grand oral au 
Senat." (Supreme Court of the United States:  Hearings begin at the 
Senate for Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation). 
 
An article in Le Matinal, titled "Au cours de sa premiere visite en 
Afrique, Obama donne une prime a la democratie." During his first 
trip to Africa, Obama encourages the promotion of democracy). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune based on the entirety of President 
Obama's speech in Accra. 
 
July 15 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune and L'Informateur, based on the 
entirety of President Obama's speech in Accra. 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled, "Etats-Unis: Obama choisit une femme 
noire pour diriger la sante publique." (Obama picks on a black 
Medical Doctor to be Director of Public Health). 
 
An article in Le Telegramme, titled, "USA: les secrets bien gardes 
de Dick Cheney." (United States : Dick Cheney's well kept secrets). 
 
An article in L'Avenir, titled, " Ghana : Obama appelle les 
Africains a prendre en main leur destin." (Ghana: Obama calls to 
Africans to take their destiny in their hands). 
 
An article in the state-controlled La Nation, based on the 
Mission-produced press release, titled, "Sante maternelle au Benin: 
des soins obstetricaux de qualite pour sauver la vie des femmes. " 
(Mother's health in Benin : adequate obstetric treatment to save 
women at delivery. 
 
July 16 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "La Chambre des 
Representants demande a la CIA les documents de son programme 
anti-terroriste secret." (The Senate requests CIA to turn in all 
documents related to its secret anti-terrorist program). 
 
July 21 
An article in La Nation and L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Etats-Unis: 
L'Amerique fete les 40 ans de la conquete de la lune." (United 
States: America celebrates the 40th anniversary of Man's landing on 
the moon). 
L'Autre Quotidien carried a second article titled "Etats-Unis: Joe 
Biden a Kiev pour assurer l'Ukraine du soutien americain. " (United 
States : Joe Biden in Kiev to assure Ukraine of US support). 
 
July 22 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: 
Barack Obama confirme ses origines africaines aupres des Mormons." 
(United States: Barack Obama confirms his African origins with the 
Mormons). 
 
July 24 
The following articles were published: 
Two articles in the right-of-center independent daily Le Challenge, 
titled: 
"Etats-Unis: Obama promet de reformer la sante cette annee." (United 
States: Obama promises to reform the health insurance system this 
year).  "Etats-Unis - Georgie: Joe Biden reaffirme le soutien de 
Washington a Tbilisi. " (United States: Joe Biden reaffirms 
Washington's support to Tbilissi). 
 
COTONOU 00000355  004 OF 004 
 
 
 
An article in Fraternite and La Nouvelle Tribune, titled " 
Validation de la strategie d'appui aux communes dans le domaine du 
foncier : le Millenium Challenge Account entretient les elus locaux 
a Porto-Novo. " (MCA-Benin - sponsored workshop on the strategy to 
support the districts in securing land safety in the Department of 
Oueme. 
 
July 27 
An article in Le Matinal, titled "Soiree de contes a Cotonou: Raouf 
Mama promeut les valeurs culturelles traditionnelles. " (Story 
telling party in Cotonou : Raouf Mama promotes traditional cultural 
values). 
 
July 28 
Two articles in L'Autre Quotidien, titled: 
"Premiere session extraordinaire du Conseil d'Administration de 
MCA-Benin: un pas de geant vers la modernisation du Port. " (First 
extraordinary session of MCA-Benin's board of governors : a big step 
forward towards modernizing the port of Cotonou). 
" Etats-Unis: Barack Obama souhaite une cooperation Pekin-Washington 
renforcee. " (United States: Barack Obama wishes a reinforced 
cooperation between Beijing and Washington). 
 
An article in Fraternite, titled: 
"Seance de contes a la librairie Bufalo: Raouf Mama seduit par son 
authenticite. "   (Story telling party at the Bufalo book store : 
Raouf Mama's authenticity is captivating). 
Fraternite carried a second article titled: Reflexions sur le 
discours d'Obama a l'Afrique: les colons ne sont jamais partis. " 
(Reflexions on President Obama's address to Africa : the colonial 
masters never left). 
 
¶3. Electronic Media: 
 
During the period of this report, the state-owned TV and radio 
station, ORTB, covering the entire country, broadcast news reports 
on President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana in French and all major 
local languages. Several privately-owned radio and TV stations, 
including Canal 3, LC2, Carrefour TV and the most prominent 
Cotonou-based Golfe TV, also carried reports on the visit. On July 
2nd, Golfe TV hosted a live debate featuring 
Charge d'Affaires Martina Boustani, a Faculty member and a leading 
Cotonou-based Muslim Activist; the debate was based on the issue 
raised in "President Obama's speech in Cairo". On July 26, Canal 3 
broadcast a pre-recorded debate featuring the Charge d'Affaires and 
an invited guest, to address the issues raised in President Obama's 
speech in Accra. 
 
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. 
 
Boustani