Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU148
2009-04-16 13:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: GPRA Report - MCA-Benin's press conference

Tags:  KMCA EAID KDEM KPAO BN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCO #0148 1061330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161330Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0875
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COTONOU 000148 

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)
MCC FOR DARIUS MANS AND JONATHAN BLOOM

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMCA EAID KDEM KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA Report - MCA-Benin's press conference

UNCLAS COTONOU 000148

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)
MCC FOR DARIUS MANS AND JONATHAN BLOOM

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMCA EAID KDEM KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA Report - MCA-Benin's press conference


1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: Following the March 30-31, 2009 visit to
Benin by the Vice President and the Deputy Vice President for Africa
of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC),the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs hosted a press conference to discuss the results of
the visit. Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown, and the Minister of Port
Economy and new President of MCA-Benin's Board of governors, M. Issa
Badarou, spoke at the well-attended press conference in the presence
of government representatives and high-ranking officials from
Benin.


2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: April 2; Third quarter, FY 09.


3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: The government of Benin's
recent decision to modify the configuration of MCA-Benin's board of
governors provoked a rash of hostile commentary in the local media.
Two days after the MCC Vice President's visit to Benin, this press
conference was held in order to clarify the situation and to inform
the general public about the functioning of MCA-Benin and the new
steps taken by the government to ensure a speedy implementation of
the program.


4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Democracy and Good
Governance: At least 75 participants including U.S. Embassy
officials, government representatives, all major Cotonou-based
independent media and the government-controlled print and electronic
media outlets attended the press conference where Ambassador
Gayleatha B. Brown spoke.


5. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent. This timely press conference was an
opportunity to brief the general public about the conditions
surrounding the MCA program in Benin and the keen interest expressed
by both the U.S. government and the GOB in the successful
implementation of the program. During the press conference, the
Minister of Port Economy, newly appointed President of MCA-Benin's
Board of Governors, explained that the decision to appoint a
Minister to head the Board of Governors stems from the government's
concern to ensure accountability and proper oversight of the
program. The new President of MCA-Benin's Board of Governors
underscored the importance of the reforms initiated to make the port
of Cotonou more competitive and that, at the half-way point from the
completion of the program, there is need to work faster and more
efficiently.

In her remarks, Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown stressed that there is
no disagreement between the governments of Benin and the United
States regarding the management and the continuation of the program,
stating that transparency and good program management were in the
interest of both parties. Ambassador Brown stated that the United
States is supportive of the government's decision to appoint
Ministers as members of the Board of Governors and Mr. Issa Badarou
as President of the Board of Governors.


6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT:
The conference was held in the conference room of the newly built
Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, and the excellent and
professional media coverage of the conference was organized by the
Ministry.


7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. The Ambassador's presentation
during the press conference was very well received. Ambassador Brown
was recognized in the local media for her keen interest in the
successful implementation of the MCA program in Benin and her
determination to work with the Government of Benin to achieve timely
completion of the program.
BROWN