DEMARCHE ON THE CRISIS IN GUINEA: BENIN

UNCLAS COTONOU 000144 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W PARIS FOR D'ELIA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL BN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON THE CRISIS IN GUINEA: BENIN REF: STATE 19838 ¶1. (U) On February 20 we spoke with MFA Director for Africa and the Middle East Honore Theodore Ahimakin to deliver reftel demarche and to discuss the crisis in Guinea. ¶2. (SBU) Ahimakin, who is coordinating the GOB response to Guinea, said the GOB continued to follow the situation very closely because of the significant number of Beninese expatriates residing there. He noted the GOB's concern that, if the current situation were protracted or worsened, the crisis would have a destabilizing effect on the entire region. ¶3. (SBU) Ahimakin confirmed the GOB is active in ECOWAS consultations regarding the situation, something the embassy had heard earlier in the day from MFA Director of the Americas Isidore Bio, but was allowing others to take the lead in public. When pressed on the issue of making a public statement, Ahimakin demurred and expressed the GOB's preference for behind-the-scenes diplomacy. BROWN