VZCZCXRO9882
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0595/01 3520520
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180520Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1225
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COTONOU 000595 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD DBWHARTON, EKEMP, SANCHEZCROWE, AND AF/W ASHLEY 
STEWART 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KMDR KPAO BN
SUBJECT: COTONOU: OCTOBER 2009 REPORT ON THE MEDIA PLACEMENT OF 
STATE AND MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS 
 
¶1. PAS Cotonou reports the following placement 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 
 
October 1 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily newspapers Le 
Matinal and Fraternite and in the right-of-center independent daily, 
L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Blocage de l'enquete sur l'assassinat de 
Catherine Puzzey: Maitre Atita denonce le role de l'expertise 
americaine." (Deadlock in the investigations in the case of the 
murder of a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin: Attorney Atita denounces 
the role of the American experts). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily newspapers Le 
Matin, La Nouvelle Tribune and the right-of-center independent 
daily, L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Lancement du concours Eco Citoyen 
des Communes pour une gestion durable des terres securisees. " 
(Launching of the MCA-Benin's environmental contest for a 
sustainable management of the secured lands). La Nouvelle  Tribune 
also carried an article titled "Etats-Unis: une commission du Senat 
refuse l'assurance sante publique. " (United States: A Senate 
committee rejects the Public Health Insurance Option). 
 
October 2 
An article in Le Matinal titled, "Lutte contre les violences faites 
aux femmes et aux filles: Empower au chevet des acteurs du Zou et 
des collines. " (Empower assists local communities in the department 
of Zou with fighting gender-based violence: Care International gave 
out checks). 
 
October 5 
An article in the government-controlled, La Nation, titled "Contre 
les violences faites aux femmes, le projet EMPOWER/USAID/CARE 
finance 22 nouvelles structures." (The EMPOWER Project funds 22 new 
NGOs to fight gender-based violence). La Nation carried another 
article titled, "Inauguration de l'Ecole Primaire Publique de 
Konarou pres de Bembereke: un joyau de plus de 58 millions CFA mis 
en service et finances par l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique." 
(Inauguration of three classroom blocks at the Public Primary School 
of Konarou, near Bembereke: an infrastructure of more than 58 
million CFA funded by the Embassy of the United States of America). 
 
An article in the independent weekly, Le Municipal, titled "50 
nouveaux Volontaires du Corps de la Paix pretent serment. " (50 new 
Peace Corps Volunteers are sworn-in). Le Municipal also carried 
another article titled " Lutte contre le Paludisme: l'USAID fait don 
de 275.240 moustiquaires impregnees au Benin. " (Fighting Malaria: 
USAID donates 275.240 impregnated mosquito nets to Benin). 
 
October 6 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, L'Informateur, 
based on the Mission-Produced press release titled "Inauguration 
d'infrastructures scolaires dans le village de Konarou." 
(Inauguration of school infrastructures in the village of Konarou). 
 
 
October 7 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily newspapers, Le 
Matinal, Le Matin, L'Autre Quotidien and La Nouvelle Tribune, titled 
"Amenagement sur terre et sur mer a realiser au Port de Cotonou: 
MCA-Benin informe et sensibilise les acteurs portuaires. " 
(Renovation works off-shore and on-shore at the port of Cotonou : 
MCA-Benin informs and sensitizes the various actors and users of the 
port). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Fraternite, 
titled "Intervention du Millenium Challenge Account Benin: 24 
milliards de Francs CFA injectes pour revolutionner le port de 
Cotonou."  (MCA-Benin ativities: 24 billion CFA injected to 
modernize the port of Cotonou). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled "Avant l'injection fatale, Michael 
Jackson se portrait bien. " (Prior to the fatal injection, Michael 
Jackson was in good health). 
 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Autre 
Quotidien and the government-controlled La Nation, titled "Obama 
repousse sa rencontre avec le Dalai-Lama." (Obama postpones his 
meeting with the Dalai-Lama). La Nation carried another article 
based on the Washington File article titled "Violences contre les 
femmes dans les conflits: L'Onu adopte une resolution pour proteger 
les femmes." (Gender-based violence in conflict zones: the United 
Nations adopts a new resolution to protect women). 
 
October 8 
 
COTONOU 00000595  002 OF 005 
 
 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Fraternite, and 
the right-of-center independent daily, L'Autre Quotidien, titled 
"Amenagement sur terre et sur mer a realiser au port de Cotonou: 
MCA-Benin informe et sensibilise les acteurs portuaires." 
(Renovation works off-shore and on-shore at the port of Cotonou: 
MCA-Benin informs and sensitizes the users of the port). 
 
Two articles in the government-controlled La Nation, titled: 
"Les Etats-Unis font pression sur la Guinee en vue d'une transition 
democratique. " (The United States maintains the pressure on Guinea 
with a view to ensuring a democratic transition). 
 
"Realisation d'amenagement au port de Cotonou par MCA-Benin: la 
dimension environnementale: un imperatif. " (Renovation at the port 
of Cotonou: the environmental dimension is a must). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, La Nouvelle 
Tribune, titled "MCA-Benin: Projet Acces aux marches: la 
preservation de l'environnement est une obligation pour le 
programme. " (MCA-Benin's access to markets project: preserving the 
environment is indispensable for the implementation of the 
program). 
 
 
October 9 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "Crise Financiere Mondiale: 
le soutien vigoureux des Etats-Unis a l'Afrique." (Global financial 
crisis: the US strongly supports Africa). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled, " Etats-Unis: vers un 
traitement plus humain des clandestins. " (United States: towards a 
much more human treatment of the illegal aliens). 
 
October 12 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, titled, " Etats-Unis: Obama veut mettre fin 
a la discrimination des Gays. " (United States: Obama wants to end 
discrimination against gays). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "Obama, prix Nobel de la 
Paix: Une mesure positive pour Castro. " (Nobel Peace Price for 
Obama : according to Castro, this is a positive initiative). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled, "Distinction: Obama, Prix Nobel de 
la Paix 2009. " (Distinction: Obama wins the 2009 Nobel Peace 
Price). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled, "Obama adopte une 
diplomatie entre encouragements et pressions envers le Soudan. " 
(Obama wants to adopt a new diplomacy of encouragement and pressure 
towards Sudan). La Nouvelle Tribune carried another article quoting 
President Obama as saying "Prix Nobel de la Paix 2009: je n'ai pas 
l'impression de le meriter. " (I do not have the impression that I 
deserve the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize). 
 
Two articles in L'Aurore, titled: 
"Le President du comite Nobel s'explique sur le choix d'Obama. " 
(The President of the Nobel Committee explains why Obama was 
selected).  "Le monde n'attendra pas indefiniment que l'Iran 
remplisse ses obligations, selon Mme Clinton." (According to Hillary 
Clinton, the world will not wait indefinitely for Iran to fulfill 
its obligations). 
 
October 13 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Aurore, 
titled "Le Nobel d'Economie a deux Americains, dont la premiere 
femme." The Economics Nobel Price has been awarded to two Americans, 
including a woman, for the first time. 
 
 
Two articles in Le Matinal, titled, 
"Prix Nobel d'Economie: pour la premiere fois, une femme 
recompensee." (For the first time, an American female Scholar 
receives the Economics Nobel Prize). 
 
" Projet Acces au Foncier de MCA-Benin: les activites demarrent 
bientot. " (MCA-Benin's Access to Market project : the activities 
will soon begin). 
 
Two articles in L'Autre Quotidien titled, Prix Nobel d'Economie: 
deux Americains, dont la premiere femme, honores. " (Economics Nobel 
Prize: two American winners, including for the first time, a female 
scholar). 
 
October 14 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Aurore, titled, "Etats-Unis: vote determinant au 
 
COTONOU 00000595  003 OF 005 
 
 
Senat sur la reforme de la couverture sante. " (Decisive vote at the 
Senate on the Health Insurance reform). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, L'Informateur, 
titled, "Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: Remise d'equipement 
dans le cadre de la lutte contre la grippe A H1N1 et H5N1. " 
(Embassy of the United States: handover of equipment to fight the 
H1N1 and H5N1 virus). 
 
Three articles in Le National titled: 
"Remise officielle du Prix Nobel de la Paix: Obama se rendra a Oslo 
le 10 decembre prochain. " (Obama will go to Oslo on December 10 to 
receive his Nobel Peace Price). 
 
"Lutte contre les changements climatiques: Obama et les 
Parlementaires." (Obama and the Senators met to discuss climate 
change). 
 
" Piratage de la carte bancaire aux Etats-Unis : Albert Gonzales 
detourne plus de 400 millions de dollars ". (Credit card fraud in 
the United States: Albert Gonzales stole more than 400 million 
dollars). 
 
An article in La Nation, titled, "Nucleaire Iranien: Hillary Clinton 
affiche une unite de ton avec Moscou." (The Iranian nuclear issue: 
Hillary Clinton's view concurs with the Russian opinion). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "MCA-Benin: evaluation  a 
mi-parcours du programme: apprecier le chemin parcouru, pour 
optimiser les performances. " (MCA-Benin's mid-term review : 
assessing the results achieved in order to maximize the 
performance). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matin, 
titled, "projet Acces au Foncier du MCA-Benin: renforcement des 
capacites des cadres et autres professionnels. " MCA-Benin's Access 
to land project : capacity building training session for the workers 
and other professionals). 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Fraternite, 
titled, "Validation du rapport provisoire du MCA-Benin: une 
evaluation reluisante a mi-parcours du programme." (Validation of 
MCA-Benin's temporary report: a positive mid-term review of the 
program). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled, "Etats-Unis/Afghanistan: 
Obama envoie 13000 soldats supplementaires en Afghanistan. " (United 
States : Obama sends 13000 supplementary troops to Afghanistan). 
 
October 15 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, titled, " Trois ans de mise en Quvre du 
MCA: Bilan elogieux selon le Coordonnateur National. " (Three years 
of implementing the MCA-Benin's program: according to the National 
Coordinator, the result is overwhelmingly good). 
The front-page of this newspaper carries a photo of the Charge 
d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy and MCA-Benin's National Coordinator, 
presenting the results). 
 
A lengthy article in Le Matin, titled, "Validation a mi-parcours de 
l'execution du MCA-Benin: des difficultes, certes, mais l'espoir 
demeure. " (MCA-Benin's mid-term review: despite the difficulties, 
there is room for hope). 
 
An article in Fraternite, titled, "Trois ans d'execution de 
MCA-Benin: une avancee notable." (Three years of implementing the 
MCA-Benin's program: some significant progress has been achieved). 
 
An article in the right-of-center, Le Telegramme, titled, "Etats- 
Unis: Economie: Resultats insolents pour les banques americaines." 
(The Economy of the United States: overwhelming results for the 
American banks). Le Telegramme also carries another article titled 
"Millenium Challenge Account Benin: Simon Adovelande passe au 
scanner ses activites." (MCA-Benin: Simon Adovelande scrutinizes his 
activities). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "Trois ans de mise en 
oeuvre du programme: MCA-Benin decroche l'excellence. " (After three 
years of implementing the program, MCA-Benin achieved an excellent 
result). 
 
An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled, "Millenium Challenge 
Account, Benin ; Je n'ai pas de doute, nous arriverons a bon port : 
dixit le Coordonnateur National, Simon Pierre Adovelande." 
(Millenium Challenge Account-Benin ; I have no doubt that we will 
achieve good results, said the National Coordinator, Simon Pierre 
Adovelande). 
 
October 16 
 
COTONOU 00000595  004 OF 005 
 
 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matinal, 
titled, "Apres trois ans de mise en execution, MCA-Benin entre dans 
sa derniere phase." (After running the program for three years, 
MCA-Benin begins the last phase of the program). 
 
October 19 
The following articles were published: 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien and Le Matin, titled,  "Initiative 
de la Mission Diplomatique des Etats-Unis pres le Benin: Seance 
publique de collecte de sang." (Public blood drive initiated by the 
Embassy of the United States to Benin). 
 
An article in the independent weekly, Le Municipal, titled, "Apres 
trois ans d'activite du Millenium Challenge Account- Benin, le Benin 
resolument engage sur la voie de la croissance economique. " (After 
three years of implementing the Millenium Challenge Account program, 
Benin is totally engaged on the path  to economic growth). 
 
October 20 
The following articles were published: 
Two articles in La Nation, titled, "Etats-Unis: No smoking: une 
lyceenne en tenue masculine fait grincer des dents aux USA. " (No 
smoking: a college girl in the United States became a serious source 
of concern for wearing men's clothing, instead of the school 
uniform).  "Alger: Washington salue le role d'Alger dans la lutte 
contre le terrorisme. " (Washington commends Algeria for the role it 
played in the fight against terror). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, La Nouvelle Tribune, Le Matin  and 
Fraternite, titled, "MCA/Restitution du livre blanc de politique 
fonciere aux institutions et directions techniques: penultieme etape 
d'un processus essentiel. " (Release of MCA-Benin's White paper on 
the access to land project: penultimate stage of an essential 
procedure). 
 
An article in L'Informateur, based on a Mission-produced press 
release titled, "Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: Seance 
publique de collecte de sang." (Public blood drive initiated by the 
embassy of the United States). 
 
October 21 
The following articles were published: 
An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Vox Populi, 
titled, "Apres trois ans de mise en oeuvre du programme, plus de 65 
percent de realization pour MCA-Benin. " (Three years after the 
beginning of the program, MCA-Benin achieved the project to the tune 
of 65 percent). 
 
An article in La Nation and La Nouvelle Tribune, titled, "Appui de 
l'USAID au systeme educatif beninois: lancement du projet Motivation 
et formation des enseignants. " (USAID supports the Beninese 
educational system by launching a teachers' motivation and training 
project). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "Dollar americain: 
suprematie contestee." (The supremacy of US Dollar is put to the 
test). 
 
An article in the right-of-center, Vox Populi, titled, "Apres trois 
ans de mise en oeuvre du programme, 65percent de realisation pour le 
MCA-Benin. " (Three years following the beginning of the program, 
MCA-Benin achieved 65percent of implementation). 
 
October 22 
An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matinal, 
titled, "Afghanistan: Quels scenarios pour Barack Obama?" 
(Afghanistan: what scenarios for Barack Obama)? 
 
An article in  L'Autre Quotidien and La Nouvelle Tribune, titled, 
"Fonds Facilite/MCA-Benin: Pierre Adovelande descend sur les sites 
des beneficiaires ". (MCA-Benin facility grants: Pierre Adovelande 
inspects the winners' places of work). 
 
October 23 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, titled, "Etats-Unis: certains detenus 
pourront etre transferes su le sol americain. " (United States : 
some detaiees may be transferred to American soil). 
 
An aricle in Fraternite, titled, "Le dessous du prix Nobl de la 
Paix." (What is behind the Nobel Peace Pize). 
 
Two articles in le Matin, titled, "Lancemnt du projet de l'USAID: 
Motivation et formationdes enseignants. " (Launching of the USAID 
projet titled teachers' motivation and training). 
 
"Mie en oeuvre de la facilite a MCA-Benin: le Coordonateur Simon 
Pierre Adovelande en visite d'inspecion. " (Implementing MCA-Benin 
Facility grant : ational Coordinator Simon Pierre Adovelande on an 
 
COTONOU 00000595  005 OF 005 
 
 
inspection visit to the various projects that won the facility 
grant). 
 
An article in Le Matinal, titled, "Michelle Obama joue du 
hula-hoop!" (Michelle Obama plays the Hula-hoop game!) 
 
October 26 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin, titled, "Opportunite du MCA-Benin pour le 
monde universitaire: les etudiants de Parakou impregnes du 
programme. " (MCA-Benin's opportunity for the university community: 
the students at the university of Parakou have been briefed about 
the program). 
 
An article in L'Informateur, titled, "Etats-Unis: Obama proclame 
l'etat d'urgence sanitaire face a la grippe A. " (United States : 
Obama proclaimed the state of siege to deal with the A/H1N1 virus). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "Obama peine  a trouver un 
chef pour l'USAID. " (Obama is finding it difficult to appoint a 
USAID Director). 
 
October 27 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled, "Sortie cinematographique: 
le film sur les dernieres heures de Michael Jackson sort demain." 
(Launching of a movie: the film about the Michael Jackson's last 
hours will be released tomorrow). 
 
October 28 
The following articles were published: 
An article in La Nation, titled, "Projet Acces au foncier de 
MCA-Benin: un livre blanc sur la securisation des terres en etude de 
validation. " (The MCA-Benin's white paper on the Land safety 
project will soon be validated). 
 
An article in L'Autre Quotidien, Le Matin and Fraternite,  titled, 
"MCA-Benin: projet acces au foncier: une centaine de motos pour 
quatorze communes." (For the implementation of MCA-Benin's access to 
land project, one hundred motorcycles were distributed to 14 
communes). 
 
October 29 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matinal, titled, "Soutien aux oeuvres caritatives: 
MTN offre 10 millions a Mercy Ships. " (Support for charitable 
actions: MTN donates 10 million FCFA to the Mercy Ships). 
 
An article in Le Matin, titled, " Revocation de la licence des 2 
pilotes de la Northwest Airlines. " (Withdrawal of the pilot 
licenses of two Northwest pilots). 
 
October 30 
The following articles were published: 
An article in Le Matin, titled, " Etats-Unis : Joe Jackson recoit le 
trophee du bon pere de famille." (United States: Joe Jackson 
receives the trophy as Good Father). 
 
An article in the government-contolled daily, La Nation, titled 
"Audience au Conseil Economique et Social: Simon Pierre Adovelande 
regu par le President du Conseil Economique et Social. " (Audience 
at the Economic and Social Council : Simon Pierre Adovelande 
received by the President of the Economic and Social Council). 
 
¶3. Electronic Media: 
During the period of this report, the state-owned TV and radio 
station, ORTB, covering the entire country, broadcast reports and 
news segments on all major Mission hosted activities, including 
USAID, Peace Corps and MCA-Benin. 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 8:00, while the news in 
English is scheduled from Monday through Friday, beginning at 17:30. 
Golfe TV also broadcasts the Box Office news segments during its 
weekly news hour programs. A new VOA partner, Canal 3 broadcast the 
Washington Forum in French. 
A former WorldNet partner, LC2, continues to broadcast the 
Crossroads Cafe series in English. 
Knight