Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COTONOU141
2008-03-03 10:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

MINISTER OF STATE N'DOURO WILL ATTEND DOD AFRICA DEFENSE

Tags:  BN MASS PGOV PREL 
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VZCZCXYZ1146
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCO #0141 0631042
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031042Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0217
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAR/USDAO ACCRA GH
UNCLAS COTONOU 000141 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

SECDEF FOR OSD AFRICAN AFFAIRS LANGDORF
AND OSD POLICY ELLINGTON
STATE FOR AF/W DBANKS AND PM/PPA MSMITH
NSC FOR KAREN O'DONNELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASSPGOVPRELBN
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF STATE N'DOURO WILL ATTEND DOD AFRICA DEFENSE
POLICY DIALOGUE

REF: (A) COTONOU 139 (B) SECDEF WASHINGTON DC 251402Z JAN 08
UNCLAS COTONOU 000141

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

SECDEF FOR OSD AFRICAN AFFAIRS LANGDORF
AND OSD POLICY ELLINGTON
STATE FOR AF/W DBANKS AND PM/PPA MSMITH
NSC FOR KAREN O'DONNELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASSPGOVPRELBN
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF STATE N'DOURO WILL ATTEND DOD AFRICA DEFENSE
POLICY DIALOGUE

REF: (A) COTONOU 139 (B) SECDEF WASHINGTON DC 251402Z JAN 08

1.(U) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the embassy that
Benin's Minister of State for National Defense, Issifou Kogui
N'DOURO, will attend the DOD-Africa Defense Policy Dialogue from
March 25-29, 2008 detailed in Ref B. The embassy will work with OSD
African Affairs to arrange N'Douro's travel to the U.S.

2.(SBU) In addition to attending the DOD-Africa Defense Policy
Dialogue, Minister N'Douro has asked for meetings with President
Bush, Secretary Gates, and appropriate level officials in the U.S.
Navy. Minister N'Douro would like to discuss maritime security,
increased training opportunities for Beninese Armed Forces officers,
which President Bush encouraged during his February 16, 2008 visit
to Benin (Ref A),and the re-establishment of bilateral military
consultations.

3.(U) Comment. Minister N'Douro has previously requested a meeting
at the highest levels at the Department of Defense, which was not
realized. The embassy recommends that, in light of the recent visit
by President Bush to Benin, Benin's steadfast contribution of
peacekeepers to UN peace keeping missions, and its willingness to
play a larger role in maritime security, a suitably high-level visit
be arranged for Minister N'Douro. The embassy will work with OSD
Policy and Benin's Mission to the United States to arrange this
visit. End Comment.

BROWN