COTONOU REPORTS ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000157 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KDEM KPAO KISL PINR BN SUBJECT: COTONOU REPORTS ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS ¶1. PAS Cotonou reports the following placements of State Department materials, articles on Mission-hosted activities and U.S. centered articles in the government-owned newspaper, La Nation, and various independent newspapers: February 2 The following articles were published: An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Autre Quotidien and Le Matin, based on the text of President Barack Obama's interview with AL-ARABIYA TV station titled "Interview de Barack Obama a la chaine Al-Arabiya." (President Barack Obama's interview with Al-Arabiya). An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, about the arrest in Nairobi of one of President Barack Obama's half-brother suspected of drug possession. The article is titled "Kenya: un demi-frere d'Obama arrete pour detention de drogue." A full page cartoon in the independent daily Le Matin, about the first hundred minutes of President Barack Obama as President of the United States. February 3 The following articles were published: An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Oueme-Plateau/Culture: une association se propose de construire un institut Obama a Porto-Novo." (Oueme-Plateau/Culture: an association is planning on building an institute in Porto-Novo that will be called The Obama Institute). An article in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle Expression, titled "Plan de relance: Obama s'active avant l'examen par le Senat." (Rescue plan: Obama is busy scrutinizing his plan prior to Senate's review). A full page article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, based on the entirety of the text of President Barack Obama's interview with Al-Arabiya on January 26 titled "Proche-Orient: les nouveaux axes de la diplomatie americaine." (Middle-East: the new components of U.S. diplomacy.) February 4 The following articles were published: An article in the right-of-center independent daily Le Challenge, based on the Washington Daily File 502 of 2 February titled "Un partenariat Americano-africain pour un mais resistant a la secheresse." (a U.S.-African partnership for the production of a variety of corn that will resist the dry season),and an article in the same newspaper based on the Washington Daily file 501 of 2 February titled "L'Envoye des Etats-Unis au Proche-Orient preoccupe par les pertes a Gaza." (The U.S. Envoy to the Middle-East is concerned by the loss of human life in Gaza). An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, titled "Double defection embarrassante dans l'administration Obama." (Two embarrassing resignations in President Obama's cabinet). An article in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle Expression, titled "Etats-Unis d'Amerique: les ennuis avec le fisc ebranlent l'administration Obama: deux desistements." (United States of America: tax problems weaken Obama's administration: two resignations." February 5 An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, titled "Union Africaine: Les Chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement adressent un message de felicitations au President Obama. " (African Union : the heads of state and government send a message of congratulations to President Obama). An article in the left-of-center independent daily newspapers Nouvelle Expression and Le Telegramme, titled "Economie Americaine: Obama plafonne le salaire des patrons." (Obama put a ceiling on the salaries of the heads of enterprises that receive assistance from the government). A full page article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Echiquier, based on the text of President Obama's inauguration speech titled "Discours d'investiture de Barack Obama."(Barack Obama's inauguration speech). February 6 An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the MCA-Benin sponsored workshop on the performance of the port of Cotonou titled "Etude sur les litiges, la valeur ajoutee et la satisfaction des usagers du Port de Cotonou." (Study on the disputes, the value added and the Port users' satisfaction). COTONOU 00000157 002 OF 004 An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the U.S. participation in the international conference on security titled "L'administration Obama devrait presenter sa politique etrangere." (Obama's administration should present its foreign policy). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the U.S. Envoy to the Middle-East titled "USA: L'Envoye special se rendra de nouveau au Proche-Orient au cours du mois. " (United States: the U.S. Special Envoy will go back to the Middle-East). February 9 The following articles were published: An article in L'Echiquier, based on the entirety of President Barack Obama's inauguration speech. An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about President Obama's economic rescue plan titled "Wall Street: les mesures de l'administration Obama attendees." (Wall Street: President Obama's rescue plan proposals are expected). February 11 The following articles were published: An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Option Infos, titled "Etats-Unis: le Conseil de Securite Nationale aura des competences elargies." (United States: the National Security Council will have a increased powers). An article in the government-controlled daily La Nation, titled "Revue a mi-parcours du programme MCA-Benin: des conditions prealables non encore satisfaites." (MCA-Benin mid-term review: some prerequisites not yet fulfilled). More reports on the MCA-Benin mid-term review were published in the independent daily newspapers Fraternite, La Nouvelle Tribune, L'Autre Quotidien, L'Informateur, Nouvelle Expression, Le Challenge, Le Matin). An article in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: le Senat adopte un plan de relance de 838 milliards de dollars." (United States: the Senate votes a rescue plan of 838 billions dollars). An article in Le Matin, titled "Sarkozy inspire Obama." (Sarkozy inspires Obama). An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Iran: le pays est prt au dialogue avec Washington, mais dans l'egalite et le respect. " (Iran : the country is ready for dialogue with Washington, based on the principles of equality and respect). An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, titled "Crise financiere aux Etats-Unis: le plan de relance de Barack Obama adopte." (Financial crisis in the United States: Barack Obama's rescue plan approved). February 12 The following articles were published: An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Relance de l'economie aux Etats-Unis: compromis trouve au Congres sur un plan de relance. " (Economic rescue in the United States : a compromise was reached in the Congress on the rescue plan). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the entirety of the press release about MCA-Benin's mid-term review. An article in Le Matin, titled "Afrique du Sud: une collection de bijoux en or et en argent pour honorer Obama." (South Africa: a collection of gold and silver jewelry to honor Obama). An article in La Nation, about the Mercy Ship's visit to Benin titled "Pour soigner des maladies: arrivee au Benin de 300 specialistes americains." To treat patients, 300 American specialists arrived in Benin). Comment: The crew actually includes members from many nations. End comment.February 13 The following articles were published: A front-page article in the government-owned La Nation, about the implementation of the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA-Benin) Program titled "Gestion du programme MCA-Benin: les instructions du Chef de l'Etat." (Management of the MCA-Benin's program: the instructions of the Head of State). The article is flanked by a photo of Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown being granted an audience by President Boni Yayi. La Nation also carries a two-page publication of the list of the pre-selected candidates to benefit from the Access to Credit facility. An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release on MCA-Benin's mid-term review. An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore, about COTONOU 00000157 003 OF 004 the MCA-Benin mi-term review titled "MCA-Benin: la revue a mi-parcours presente au President Yayi Boni." (MCA-Benin: the mi-term review presented to President Yayi Boni). An article in the centrist independent daily Le Telegramme, about President Obama's economic rescue plan titled "USA: le Congres va avaliser le plan de relance economique de Barack Obama." (United States: Congress will approve President Barack Obama's economic rescue plan). February 16 The following articles were published: An article in the independent daily Le Municipal, specialized in the publication of articles on decentralization, about the MCA-Benin mid-term review titled "Revue a mi-parcours du programme MCA-Benin: le government prend ses responsabilites." (MCA-Benin's mid-term review: the government's commitment to perform better). An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Aurore, Le Matin and Le Telegramme, about President Barack Obama's economic rescue plan titled "Etats-Unis: le Congres promulguera le plan de relance mardi a Denver." (United States: Congress will promulgate the rescue plan Tuesday in Denver). February 17 The following articles were published: An article in the independent daily L'Autre Quotidien titled "Obama et l'aide sociale aux organizations confessionnelles." (Obama and public assistance to religious organizations). February 18 The following articles were published: An article in la Nation about Africa Mercy Ships' visit to Benin titled "Le bateau Africa Mercy Ships au Benin: des operations et des soins gratuits aux demunis." (Africa Mercy Ships' visit to Benin: surgery and treatment for the poor). An article in L'Informateur, based on the Mission-produced press release about MCA-Benin's mid-term review. An article in Le Telegramme, about the economic rescue plan titled "USA: Obama signe un gigantesque plan de relance." (United States: Obama signs a huge economic rescue plan). February 19 An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Afghanistan: Obama annonce l'envoi de nouvelles troupes." (Afghanistan: Obama announces the deployment of new troops). February 20 The following articles were published: An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Kirghistan: le Parlement vote la fermeture d'une base cle." (Kirghistan : Paliament votes the closing down of a key military base). An article in Le Telegramme, about President Barack Obama's trip to Canada titled "Canada: Obama lance au Canada sa carriere internationale de president." (Canada: Obama launches his international career as President). An article in L'Option Infos, titled "Afghanistan / Etats-Unis: Washington va deployer 17.000 hommes sur place." (Afghanistan /Unites States: Washington will deploy 17,000 troops on the ground). February 23 The following articles were published: An article in La Nation, Le Challenge and La Nouvelle Tribune, about the Millenium Challenge Account titled "Conseil d'administration de MCA-Benin: Vizir Olofindji Akande elu representant de la societe civile."MCA-Benin's board of governors: Vizir Olofindji Akande elected representative of civil society). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled " Barack Obama va recevoir Gordon Brown le 3 mars a Washington. " (Barack Obama will receive Gordon Brown on March 3 in Washington). An article in L'Aurore, titled "USAID/Projet Empower: des journalistes formes sur les normes et standards de communication du projet." (USAID/Empower project: journalists are trained on the communication strategies of the project). February 24 An article in Le Matinal and La Nouvelle tribune, titled "Pour une meilleure mise en oeuvre du projet Empower, des journalistes desormais mieux aguerris. " (For a better implementation of the Empower project, reporters have been trained). An article in Nouvelle Expression, about Secretary of State Hillary COTONOU 00000157 004 OF 004 Clinton's visit to Beijing titled "Clinton a Pekin: de l'economie, mais rien sur les droits de l'homme." (Clinton in Beijing: Dealing with the economy, but nothing on human rights). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, about the economic rescue plan titled "Etats-Unis: l'argent du plan de relance sous surveillance." (United States: the money for the rescue plan under surveillance). February 25 The following articles were published: An article L'Aurore, titled "Obama realistic, but optimistic before the Congress, in the face of America, worried about new developments in the economy). An article in L'Informateur, titled "Etats-Unis/Japon : Obama promet de cooperer avec le Japon, face a la crise et la Coree du Nord. " (United States/Japan : Obama promises to cooperate with Japan on resolving the economic crisis and the North Korean issue). February 26 The following articles were published: An article in L'Informateur, based on the Mission-produced press release about the presidential Malaria Iniatiative to fight Malaria titled "Pulverisation intra-domiciliaire pour lutter contre le paludisme." (In-door spraying to fight malaria). An article in L'Informateur, based on the Africa Mercy Ships'visit to Benin, titled "La Mission medicale de Mercy Ships au Benin." (Mercy Ships medical mission in Benin). An article in la Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Obama: les Etats-Unis se releveront plus forts qu'avant." (Obama : the United States will rise stronger than ever). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled " Barack Obama: L'Amerique a l'heure de verite." (Barack Obama: America at the moment of truth). An article in Le Matin, based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release about the Africa Mercy Ships'visit to Benin, and two other articles titled "Le discours d'Obama au Congres," and "Education: la Mission au Benin de Madame Aleta J. Williams." (Obama'speech at the Congress) and (Education: Mme Aleta ¶J. Williams mission to Benin). February 27 An article in Le Matinal and La Nouvelle Tribune, based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release on the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) seminar. Four articles in L'Informateur, based on the entirety of four Mission-produced press releases titled "Seminaire International sur les droits de l'homme et le droit international humanitaire," "L'USAID annonce 160 millions de dollars Americains pour la reponse globale a la securite alimentaire pour l'Afrique Occidentale, " " Pulverisation intra-domiciliaire pour lutter contre le paludisme, " et " La Mission Medicale de Mercy Ships au Benin. " (International seminar on human rights and International humanitarian rights); (USAID announces 160 million US dollars as global response to food security assistance for West Africa); (In-door spraying to fighting malaria) and Mercy Ships Medical Mission in Benin). An article in L'Aurore, titled "Obama annonce vendredi ses plans de retrait d'Irak." (Obama will announce on Friday his plan to pull out of Iraq). An article in Le Challenge, titled "La Mission au Benin de Madame Aleta J. Williams, Experte en Education." (Mrs. Aleta J. Willams, Education Expert's mission to Benin). ¶2. Electronic media: During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station which covers the entire country broadcast lengthy reports on all Mission-hosted activities, in French and all major local languages; several privately-owned radio and TV stations including the most prominent Cotonou-based Golfe TV, a new VOA partner, Canal 3, also covered most Mission events. In partnership with VOA, Golfe FM regularly aired VOA news in English and French, from Monday through Friday. VOA news in French on Golfe FM is broadcast every morning (Monday through Friday),beginning at 7:30, while the news in English is scheduled from Monday through Friday, beginning at 17:30. Brown