Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COTONOU144
2007-02-23 09:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
DEMARCHE ON THE CRISIS IN GUINEA: BENIN
how-toVZCZCXRO5926 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0144 0540928 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 230928Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9280 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1047
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
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
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