BENIN: VISIT OF USN AND USCG VICE ADMIRALS FOCUSES ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000552

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA
ROTTERDM FOR ROB KEITH
NAVEUR FOR MORALES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS EWWT PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: VISIT OF USN AND USCG VICE ADMIRALS FOCUSES ON
MARITIME COOPERATION

REF: COTONOU 389

COTONOU 00000552 001.2 OF 002



1. SUMMARY: Vice-Admiral John D. Stufflebeem (U.S. Navy) and
Vice-Admiral David Peterman (U.S. Coast Guard) visited Cotonou on
May 22, 2007. They had productive meetings with top military,
transportation and Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) port officials
and were able to tour and see firsthand the challenges faced by PAC
officials in complying with ISPS standards. END SUMMARY

MEETING AT DEFENSE MINISTRY
--------------


2. VADM Stufflebeem and VADM Peterman, along with the Ambassador,
met with the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defense, General
Hessou (appointed Interior Minister on June 19).
Stufflebeem applauded the USG/GOB mil/mil cooperation, Benin's
efforts generally to enhance regional security, and specifically
co-hosting the November 2006 Maritime Awareness and Security
Conference in Cotonou. Referring to the USCG report on the Cotonou
Port, he expressed appreciation for GOB efforts to comply with
international standards, stating that treatment of foreign vessels
at US ports depended largely on previous ports they had visited.
The PAC's security was important to protecting the global supply
chain in addition to its key role in regional and Benin's economic
development. VADM Stufflebeem noted USG plans to establish an
AFRICOM in which the USCG would play an important role. VADM
Stufflebeem described an October 2007 U.S. naval mission to West
Africa for training various coast guards and navies and hoped Benin
would participate. He said Beninese peacekeepers are highly
respected for their professionalism and expertise and asked for
patience with regard to restoration of IMET funding for Benin. VADM
Peterman expressed appreciation for GOB hospitality, noting
long-standing cooperation with the GOB Navy.


3. General Hessou said the US and Benin shared common objectives,
including those related to counterterrorism and welcomed the October
naval training mission and AFRICOM as a more practical way to
enhance existing good cooperation with EUCOM. Benin had not
received any invitation to a follow-on maritime security conference
from Angola but planned to attend one in early June on coastal
security issues in Togo organized by the French. Hessou welcomed
future USCG "professional reinforcement" of Benin's navy and said
that Benin peacekeepers' professionalism is due in large part to
"solid USG experience and training," which he hoped would continue.

MEETING WITH TRANSPORT MINISTER
--------------


4. In opening remarks, the Ambassador introduced the Vice Admirals'
visit as a follow-up to the November 2007 maritime security
conference, August 2006 USCG mission's subsequent report on the Port
of Cotonou, and an opportunity to exchange views on mutual issues of
interest. VADM Peterman took the lead on the meeting with Minister
of Transportation and Public Works Richard Senou and Port officials.
(NOTE: Minister Senou was dismissed from his position in the June
19 government reshuffle. END NOTE.) VADM Peterson highlighted the
importance of cooperation on regional security issues and offered to
host a US visit by GOB officials to see how USCG works. VADM
Stufflebeem noted that illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking
impact us all. VADM Peterman stressed the need for the PAC to
comply with ISPS minimum standards as outlined in the Coast Guard's
recent report (Ref C). Minister Senou agreed that these items were
important and reminded the American delegation that they are
important to the Beninese as well. He also emphasized the need for
close cooperation between the two parties.


5. Transport Minister Senou said that Benin was more concerned than
the US about international standards of security and competitiveness
of the Port and already were taking measures to respond to the USCG
report. The Port's Director General made the same point, referring
to the Ambassador's demarche. He said that they had a "lot to learn
from the Americans" and would be happy to receive one of the four
USCG co-authors of the report (Lieutenant Commander Keith) after the
delegation's departure. He pledged to work with the Ambassador to
send Port agents to the US for training. The Port DG noted that
some problems were outside of the Port's control, notably frequent
power cuts, and hoped for a short-term solution by installation of
generators with support from the Americans. Although the ecologists
were unhappy about it, they planned to cut the trees bordering the
Port's wall on the Marina Road. Completion of the fence,

COTONOU 00000552 002.2 OF 002


controlling access to the Port, institution of an ID system, and
training were immediate actions to be taken.


6. Director of Maritime Affairs, Mrs. Anki Dossou, mentioned that
the Government of Benin had an action plan to correct the
deficiencies noted in the ISPS demarche, but it was not available
for review at the meeting. Ms. Anki Dossou and Minister Senou also
informed the American delegation of several steps (including the
formulation of the action plan) that had already been taken in
accordance with the recommendations of the Coast Guard team that
performed the assessment in August. To implement a recommendation
from the November Conference, Benin is establishing a national
marine security committee, according to Mrs. Dossou. In addition,
she said after the MFA legal office's review of the proposed
committee there would be a working session in June. Benin was
acquiring AIS to enhance coastal security. She had no information
on a marine security conference in Angola but expected to
participate if invited.

DIFFILY