VZCZCXRO4531
RR RUEHLMC RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0088/01 0471409
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161407Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0021
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000088 
 
SIPDIS 
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, WHA/CAR AND DRL 
DEPT PASS USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM KMCA HA BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AF A/S CARSON AND FOREIGN MINISTER STRESS BILATERAL 
PARTNERSHIP 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY: On February 5, 2010, Assistant Secretary for 
African Affairs Johnnie Carson met Benin's Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Jean-Marie Ehouzou in Cotonou.  The meeting was very 
cordial, and focused on shared values and shared commitment to 
democracy and development.  A/S Carson announced a USG contribution 
of USD 100,000 towards the implementation of Benin's computerized 
electoral list in preparation for presidential and legislative 
elections in 2011.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
------------------------------------ 
 
SHARED COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY . . . 
 
------------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶2.  (U) A/S Carson opened the meeting by affirming that relations 
between Washington and Cotonou are excellent and based on shared 
values -- with democracy as the core principle.  He commended the 
Government of Benin (GOB) and its leaders, past and present, for 
the strong democracy established in Benin over the last two 
decades, and for its succession of free and fair elections. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (U) A/S Carson emphasized that democratic practices lead to 
greater development, which the U.S. is proud to support.  He said 
the U.S. is confident that the more than USD 300 mn the U.S. has 
invested in Benin through its Millennium Challenge Compact is used 
well.  A/S Carson expressed pride in other U.S. development 
programs and the work of more than 100 Peace Corps volunteers in 
Benin.  A/S Carson lauded Benin's efforts to combat narcotics 
trafficking in the region and its contributions to international 
peacekeeping missions. 
 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) In support of Benin's efforts to implement the Permanent 
Digital Electoral List (LEPI), A/S Carson pledged a USG 
contribution of USD 100,000 towards its implementation.  He added 
that Benin is an example to other countries that shows what 
progress can be made in democracy and development.  He acknowledged 
that in these regards Benin is ahead of Nigeria, Ghana, and other 
states in the region. 
 
 
 
¶5.  (U) FM Ehouzou gratefully acknowledged the USG contribution to 
the LEPI budget as a fitting legacy of A/S Carson's visit, and 
expressed certainty that this gesture will encourage wider support 
from the international community for LEPI.  He noted that Benin's 
LEPI is currently being energetically debated, but pointed out that 
that such discussion of an innovative system is part of democracy. 
 
 
 
¶6.  (U) FM Ehouzou observed that February 2010 marks the 20th 
anniversary of democracy in Benin.  On February 18, 1990, President 
Kerekou called a National Convention on the future of Benin when 
riots broke out after the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Ehouzou 
commended Kerekou for choosing democracy instead of authoritarian 
tactics to curb civil unrest.  While admitting some regret that 
Benin had not been on the agenda, FM Ehouzou indicated his 
satisfaction with President Obama's visit to Ghana last year, since 
President Obama showed support for all African democracies by this 
visit. 
 
 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
. . . ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP . . . 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶7.  (U) FM Ehouzou expressed appreciation for USG support for 
Benin's development, and highlighted the Millennium Challenge 
Corporation (MCC) role in strengthening the Port of Cotonou, the 
core of Benin's economy.  He pledged that he will assure that the 
 
COTONOU 00000088  002 OF 002 
 
 
current MCC Compact is successfully completed, and underscored the 
GOB's hope for a second MCC Compact.  FM Ehouzou stressed the 
importance of economic development to sustain democracy, since a 
democracy with no resources is a weak democracy. 
 
 
 
¶8.  (U) FM Ehouzou noted that Benin has not yet mobilized benefits 
offered by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), since 
Benin does not have capacity to produce goods for the U.S. market. 
While Benin produces cotton, there is little processing capability 
in Benin, so only raw cotton is sold.  FM Ehouzou requested support 
for Benin's textile industry so that Benin can produce fabric, 
create employment opportunities, and participate in the 
international fabric trade.  FM Ehouzou pledged that the GOB will 
ensure good management of USG development support.  As a specific 
example, the GOB will assure that items such as insecticide-treated 
mosquito nets (a significant component of Benin's President's 
Malaria Initiative program) reach the poorest citizens who need 
them most. 
 
 
 
---------------------------- 
 
. . . AND PARTNERS AT THE UN 
 
---------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶9.  (U) Foreign Minister Ehouzou commended the USG for its work 
toward international peace.  As Benin's former Ambassador to the 
United Nations, he affirmed that the two Missions enjoy a 
partnership.  As Foreign Minister, he has instructed Benin's 
current UN Ambassador to continue his practice of sharing Benin's 
position and consulting with the USG prior to any sensitive vote. 
 
 
 
------------------------- 
 
SHARED CONCERNS FOR HAITI 
 
------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶10.  (U) The Foreign Minister then addressed the devastation 
wrought by the recent earthquake in Haiti, noting the strong 
historical and ongoing cultural and social ties between Benin and 
Haiti.  Immediately after the earthquake, President Yayi summoned 
the diplomatic corps to highlight the close relationship between 
Benin and Haiti and GOB concern that Haiti's humanitarian needs be 
urgently addressed. 
 
 
 
¶11.  (U) FM Ehouzou commended the USG for its rapid response to 
Haiti's catastrophe and emphasized the GOB's gratitude for U.S. 
generosity in this crisis.  He pointed out that the GOB has 
proposed a program to the UN to support Haitian university 
students' education by placing them in Benin's universities while 
Haiti's educational infrastructure is rebuilt.  He also noted that 
Benin lost three members of its United Nations Stabilization 
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) contingent in the earthquake. 
 
 
 
¶12.  (SBU) COMMENT.  A/S Carson's commitment to support LEPI was 
especially welcome news for FM Ehouzou and the GOB; the USG had 
been the sole major donor among Western democracies not to support 
LEPI, and USG endorsement in this fashion is critical for LEPI 
credibility in the GOB view.  Similarly, the GOB's commitment to 
complete success of its MCC Compact and its hope for a follow-on 
Compact demonstrate the leverage and influence the USG currently 
enjoys -- leverage which will support our efforts to encourage and 
facilitate sound Presidential and legislative elections in 2011. 
END COMMENT. 
 
 
 
¶13.  (U) A/S Carson has cleared this message. 
KNIGHT