Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COTONOU262
2008-05-05 10:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT YAYI WRITES TO PRESIDENT BUSH REQUESTING FOOD

Tags:  BN EAGR EAID OPDC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0008
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCO #0262 1261015
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051015Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0313
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS COTONOU 000262 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W DANA BANKS, S/ES-CR, S/ES-O,
EEB/TPP/ABT/ATP JANET SPECK AND AF/EPS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID/WA FOR NATALIE FREEMAN AND USAID/AFR/DP
FOR TIM LAVELLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:OPDC,EAID,EAGR,BN
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT YAYI WRITES TO PRESIDENT BUSH REQUESTING FOOD
AID

REF: (A) COTONOU 255 (B) COTONOU 5
UNCLAS COTONOU 000262

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W DANA BANKS, S/ES-CR, S/ES-O,
EEB/TPP/ABT/ATP JANET SPECK AND AF/EPS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID/WA FOR NATALIE FREEMAN AND USAID/AFR/DP
FOR TIM LAVELLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:OPDC,EAID,EAGR,BN
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT YAYI WRITES TO PRESIDENT BUSH REQUESTING FOOD
AID

REF: (A) COTONOU 255 (B) COTONOU 5

1.(SBU) The Charge was convoked to the Presidential Palace on May 5,
2008, and given a hand-written letter from President Yayi to
President Bush, which requests food aid in response to rising food
prices. Ref A and B are embassy's reporting cables on rising food
prices in Benin and the GOB's response. Charge has requested a
meeting with the Minister of Agriculture to obtain further details
on President Yayi's request. Post will forward the hard copy of the
letter to AF/W. An informal translation of the letter follows.

2.(SBU) Begin informal translation:

Dear George,

The precarious conditions in which the Beninese people live because
of the sudden rise in the price of foodstuffs resulting from
insufficient global food production compels me to turn to you as a
friend for help.

As the crisis was nearing, I anticipated its impact by reducing
customs duties on staple goods. However, the situation has not
improved and my financial means are shrinking. There is already
social unrest and real threats of popular uprising. This could
hamper and challenge the democratic process in my country.

I am striving to salvage something from the wreckage but I am out of
breath. This is why I am kindly asking you to assist me in providing
my country with foodstuffs, namely rice and corn. This is an express
SOS that I am sending you, hoping that you will hear my cry of
distress.

I am looking forward to your prompt response and I thank you in
advance for all you will do for the people of Benin.

May the Almighty God bless your good self, your family and the great
American people.


Yours sincerely
/s/
Dr Boni YAYI

3.(U) End informal translation.

BOUSTANI