LETTER FROM PRESIDENT YAYI TO PRESIDENT BUSH

UNCLAS COTONOU 000072

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O
AF/W FOR DBANKS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:OPDC,PGOV,BN
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT YAYI TO PRESIDENT BUSH

REF: HOUEMAVO/BANKS EMAIL 02/01/2008


1. Post received on January 30, 2008, via the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, a letter addressed to President Bush from President Yayi.
The letter was dated January 2, 2008. An identical letter, which
will follow septel, was addressed to Secretary Rice. Post also has
sent a copy via e-mail to AF/W and a hard copy via pouch to the
Department (AF/W).


2. Post's informal translation of the letter:

Mr. President and Dear Friend:

As part of the efforts to attain the political, social and economic
development of Africa, the African Union has designed and is
implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD),
an ambitious program equipped with the African Peer Review Mechanism
(APRM) that constitutes its cornerstone, as an instrument for the
promotion of democracy, rule of law and good governance.

The Memorandum of Understanding on the African Peer Review Mechanism
and the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate
Governance adopted at the AU conference on July 8, 2002 in Durban,
South Africa laid down for the Member States of the APRM forum the
steps to be taken in order to achieve the objectives contained in
the two documents, in line with the principles and objectives of
this Mechanism.

Benin which adhered to the APRM on March 31, 2004 has just completed
the review process that was conducted by a team of high-ranking
African officials headed by Mrs. Marie-Angelique SAVANE, the
president of the Panel of Eminent Persons for West Africa. This team
traveled all over the country to enquire about the Beninese people's
concerns and aspirations.

This phase was followed by a self-assessment that resulted in
nationwide consultations.

During this phase, all the components of the populations at the
levels of the departments, the communes, the towns and the villages
had the opportunity to express views about the political, economic
and social situation prevailing in Benin and to map out
perspectives.

All the phases set forth in the Memorandum having been completed,
Benin is scheduled to present its report by the end of January 2008,
in Addis Ababa at the 8th APRM Forum.

On this occasion, I will be given the opportunity to present to
peers the economic, political and social progress noted by the
people of Benin, the challenges they have to face and their relating
needs, and to gather peer recommendations with a view to
consolidating the Action Plan drafted at the completion of the Benin
review process, according to the principles and objectives contained
in the Mechanism. I will have the pleasure to send this report to
you in due time for your appreciation.

Besides, I intend, on completion of this exercise, to put in place
the National Commission on Governance in which I will involve all
the nation's forces, in the framework of the implementation of this
plan that will cost $2,388,880,000 over the period running from 2008
to 2015.

The Government and the people of Benin would greatly appreciate your
personal support, that of your government and that of your great
people in achieving efficiently the objectives set in the Plan.

I reiterate my appreciation regarding the support you and your
government continually bring to Benin in the framework of its
development program.

Yours sincerely,
/s/ Dr. Boni Yayi

His Excellency
Mr. President George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
WASHINGTON DC


3. End informal translation.

BROWN