COTONOU REPORTS ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COTONOU 000195 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO 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: March 2 The following articles were published: The entirety of a Mission-produced press release in the right-of-center independent daily newspapers L'Autre Quotidien and Le Challenge, about the Mission-hosted seminar organized by the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies on the topic "Les Droits de l'Homme et le Droit Humanitaire International." (Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law). An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore, about President Boni Yayi's visit to the Mercy Ships, titled "Le President de la Republique visite le plus grand bateau htpital en mission au Benin." (The President of the Republic visits the biggest medical ship on mission to Benin). Two articles in the left-of-center independent daily Nouvelle Expression, about President Barack Obama's participation in the summit between the European Union and the United States, titled "Sommet UE-USA avec Obama le 5 avril a Prague." (The summit between the European Union and the United States in Prague on April 5). An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matinal, about the Mission-hosted Speaker's Program titled "Systeme educatif et emploi au Benin: les Etats-Unis veulent s'impliquer plus." (Education and Youth Employment: the United States shows more commitment). Two articles in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, based on two Mission-produced press releases titled "Pulverisation intra-dimiciliaire pour lutter contre le paludisme," and "l'USAID annonce 160 millions de dollars americains pour la reponse globale a la securite alimentaire pour l'Afrique occidentale." (Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) against malaria) and (USAID announces the allocation of 160 million Dollars as a contribution to food security in West Africa). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Obama et Sarkozy sur la liste des nominations pour le Prix Nobel de la Paix 2009. " Obama and Sarkozy on the list of nominees for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize). March 3 An article in the government-controlled daily La Nation, based on 
the Mission-hosted seminar organized by the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS, titled "Seminaire international de DIILS: instaurer un dialogue fecond entre civils et militaries." (International seminar sponsored by DILLS: establishing a productive dialogue between civilians and the military). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Les cles du nouveau Proche-Orient entre les mains d'Obama. " (The Keys of the New Middle East in Obama's Hands). March 4 The following articles were published: An article in L'Aurore, about the endangered species, titled "Especes menacees: Barack Obama decide de suspendre une decision de George Bush." (Endangered species: Barack Obama decides to suspend a decision taken by former President George Bush). An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Clinton lance au Proche-Orient une diplomatie aggressive." (Clinton launches dynamic outreach diplomacy in the Middle-East). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Obama propose a Moscou de discuter du bouclier anti-missile en Europe de l'Est. " (Obama suggests to Moscow to address the Eastern Europe anti-missile shield). An article in Le Challenge, based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release on the DIILS seminar, titled "Seminaire international sur les Droits de l'Homme et le Droit Humanitaire International." (International seminar on human rights and international humanitarian law). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Proche-Orient: le message de paix d'Hillary Clinton." (Middle East: Hillary Clinton's message of peace). An article in Le Telegramme, titled "Russie/Etats-Unis: Medvedev refuse la proposition d'Obama." (Russia/United States : Medvedev rejects Obama's suggestion). March 5 COTONOU 00000195 002 OF 005 The following articles were published: An article in La Nation, based on MCA-Benin's partnership with the Port of Cotonou titled "Partenariat entre le MCA et le Port autonome de Cotonou: identifier les problemes environnementaux cls. " (MCA-Benin's partenership with the autonomous port of Cotonou : identifying key environmental problems). An article in the left-of -center independent daily La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Etude d'impact environnemental et social au Port: MCA-Benin organise une 3eme consultation. " (Examining the environmental and social impact at the port of Cotonou : MCA-Benin holds a third consultation). March 6 The following articles were published: An article in L'Informateur, based on a Mission-hosted book discussion program, titled "Lancement du livre Autonomisation et Reduction de la Pauvrete: un outil pour permettre aux populations de se prendre en charge. " (Launching of the book entitled "Empowerment and poverty reduction : a tool to enable the populations to become self-reliant"). An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Autre Quotidien, Le Telegramme, La Nouvelle Tribune, Le Challenge, based on the book discussion and the art exhibit held at the American Cultural Center to launch Women's Day celebration titled "Lancement du mois de la femme au Centre Culturel Americain: un expose, un film et une exposition artistique pour celebrer la femme." (Launching of Women's month at the American Cultural Center: a book discussion, a film show and an art exhibit to celebrate women). March 10 The following articles were published: An article in the independent daily newspapers L'Autre Quotidien and La Nouvelle Tribune, based on MCA-Benin's workshop on HIV/AIDS awareness titled "Etude d'impact environnemental et social au Port Autonome de Cotonou: le plan de sensibilisation aux infections sexuellement transmissibles et le VIH/SIDA. " (Examining the environmental and social impact at the Autonomous Port of Cotonou: sensitization about sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article about MCA-Benin's handover of computer equipment to the decentralized offices of the Ministry of Finance, titled "MCA-MFE: Pour une supervision efficace du secteur de la micro-finance." (Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Ministry of Finance and Economy: for an efficient supervision of the Micro-finance sector). An article in the government-controlled La Nation, titled "Mois de la Femme au Centre Culturel Americain: sous le signe de l'autonomisation et de la reduction de la pauvrete. " (Women's month at the American Cultural Center : Women's empowerment and poverty reduction). La Nation also carried an article titled "Projet Acces aux services financiers: Le MCA-Benin equipe la Cellule de Surveillance des structures financieres decentralisees. " (Access to market : MCA-Benin donates computer equipment to the decentralized financial institutions). March 11 An article in Le Matinal, about the arts exhibit at the American Cultural Center titled "Lancement du mois de la femme au CCA: trois artistes plasticiens a l'honneur." (Launching of Women's month at the American Cultural Center: three artists exhibit their works). March 12 The following articles were published: An article in the left-of-center le Matin, based on the entirety of the Mission-provided President Obama's statement on the celebration of women's month titled "Le President Obama rend hommage aux femmes ecologistes." (President Obama honors women environmentalists). An article in the right-of-center independent daily Fraternite, based on a meeting held between Beninese businessmen and a group of visiting American businessmen titled "Cooperation entre le Benin et les Etats-Unis a l'ere Obama: des possibilities d'affaires pour les operateurs economiques." (U.S.-Benin cooperation during President Obama's tenure: business opportunities for local businessmen). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Etats-Unis: un homme arme tue 10 personnes dans l'Alabama avant de se suicider. " (United States : a man armed with machine gun kills 10 people in Alabama before committing suicide). March 13 An article in La Nation, titled "USA: Bernard Madoff devant la justice et face a ses victimes." (United States of America: Bernard Madoff appears in Court and faces his victims). March 15 COTONOU 00000195 003 OF 005 An article in the centrist weekly Le Municipal, based on the entirety of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's op-ed on the International Women's Day titled "Hillary Clinton: je ferai entendre la cause des femmes a travers le monde." (Hillary Clinton: I will let women's concerns be heard around the world). March 16 The following articles were published: An article in Le Matinal, about a film program held at the American Cultural Center titled "Soiree cinematographique au Centre Culturel Americain (CCA):Iron Jawed Angels." (Film showing at the American Cultural Center: Iron Jawed Angels). An article in L'Informateur, based on the entirety of a Mission-produced press release titled "Conference internationale sur la mise en oeuvre de l'Initiative pour la Justice et l'Autonomisation des Femmes. " (International Conference on Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative (WJEI)). March 17 The following articles were published: An article in La Nation, L'Autre Quotidien, L'Option Infos and Nouvelle Expression, about the Mission-hosted international conference on Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative." (Conference Internationale sur l'Autonomisation et la Justice faite aux Femmes). L'Option Infos also carried an article titled "Diplomatie/Benin: le Corps de la Paix confirme la mort de Catherine Puzey. " (Diplomacy/Benin : Peace Corps confirms Catherine Puzey's death). An article in L'Informateur, about the film show at the American Cultural Center titled "Projection cinematographique: le combat pour le droit de vote des femmes aux Etats-Unis en image. " (Film show : fighting for women's right to vote). March 18 The following articles were published: An article in the left-of-center independent daily 24 au Benin, titled "Meurtre d'une Americaine dans la commune de Ouake: les presumes assassins artes." (Murder of an American woman in the district of Ouake: the suspects arrested). An article in Le Matin, about the Mission-sponsored training of the University of Abomey-Calavi students in Methodology titled "Universite d'Abomey-Calavi: atelier de formation en Methodologie." (University of Abomey-Calavi: training workshop in methodology." An article in the government-controlled La Nation, about the month-long arts exhibit at the American Cultural Center titled "Zoom sur la contribution des Amazones dans le royaume de Danxome: Nelly Denakpo, l'artiste qui entend restaurer l'image de ces femmes battantes." (Focus on the contribution of the Amazones in the kingdom of Danxome (Dahomey): Nelly Denakpo, the artist who wants to restore the image of those women warriors). March 19 The following articles were published: An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release on the training workshop for the students of the University of Abomey-Calavi titled "Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: atelier de formation en Methodologie a l'Universite d'Abomey-Calavi." (Embassy of the United States of America: training seminar on Methodology at the University of Abomey-Calavi). A front-page article in Le Matinal, about the changing of the configuration of MCA-Benin's board of governors titled "Recomposition du conseil d'administration de MCA: les Etats-Unis s'opposent au gouvernement beninois." (Modification of MCA-Benin's board of governors: the United States opposes the government of Benin's position). An article in Le Matin, about the Mission-sponsored seminar titled "Initiative pour la justice et l'Autonomisation des femmes: une conference internationale se deroule a Cotonou. " (Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative : an international conference is being held in Cotonou). A front-page article in Fraternite, about the modification of MCA-Benin's board of governors titled "Modification unilaterale de la composition du conseil d'administration du MCA-Benin: Boni Yayi compromet le financement des milliards du MCA." (Unilateral modification of MCA-Benin's board of governors: Boni Yayi jeopardizes the financing of MCA's billions). An article in Nouvelle Expression, titled "Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: le Corps de la Paix pleure la disparition de la Volontaire Catherine Puzey Kate. " (Embassy of the United States of America: Peace Corps mourns the death of Peace Corps Volunteer COTONOU 00000195 004 OF 005 Catherine Puzey). March 20 The Following articles were published: An article in Le Matinal, titled "Recomposition du Conseil d'Administration du MCA: la lettre de Dako et la replique de l'Ambassadeur des USA. " (Modification of MCA-Benin's board of governors: Dako's letter and the reply of the Ambassador of the United States of America). An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Avenir titled "Somalie: Oussama Ben Laden appelle a renverser le president somalien." (Somalia: Usama Bin Laden calls for the overthrowing of the President of Somalia). March 24 The following articles were published: An article in L'option Infos, titled "Etats-Unis: Johnnie Carson nomme Secretaire d'Etat adjoint aux Affaires Africaines." (United States: Johnnie Carson appointed Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs). An article in Le Matin, titled "Crash d'un avion dans un cimetiere aux Etats-Unis: 14 morts dont plusieurs enfants. " (jet crash in a U.S. cemetery : 14 casualties including many children). An article in Le Matinal, about the showing of a film at the American Cultural Center titled "Projection de Sisters in Law au CCA: le combat des femmes engagees a l'ecran." (Showing of the film "Sisters in Law", a film about women fighting for more justice for women). An article in L'Autre Quotidien and la Nouvelle Tribune, based on the entirety of Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown's op-ed on World Tuberculosis day titled "Prise en charge correcte et gratuite des cas de tuberculose pulmonaire: d'importants efforts ont ete deployes par le gouvernement du Benin. " (Adequate treatment at no cost to pulmonary tuberculosis patients : an important effort has been made by the government of Benin). March 25 The following articles were published: An article in English in L'Autre Quotidien, about the modification of MCA-Benin's board of governors titled "Millenium Challenge Account Benin: US Ambassador opposes the government's move." L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article about the implementation of MCA-Benin's land safety project titled "Acces au titre foncier: les members de la commission nationale d'appui installs." (Access to land titles; the members of the national support committee installed) An article in L'Informateur and Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: les Noirs Americains font la cour a l'Afrique." (United States of American: Black Americans courting Africans). Le Matin also carried an article titled "Etats-Unis: un fils cache pour John Fitzgerald Kennedy?) (United States, a hidden son of John Fitzgerald Kennedy)? An article in Le Telegramme, recognizing Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown's efforts in supervising the smooth implementation of the Millenium Challenge Account Program in Benin. An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Recomposition du Conseil d'Administration du MCA-Benin : Les USA disent non a Boni Yayi. " (Modifying the configuration of MCA-Benin's board of governors : the United States says "No" to Boni Yayi). March 26 The following articles were published: An article in Le Matin, titled "Declaration de Barack Obama sur la crise economique." (President Barack Obama's statement about the financial crisis). Le Matin also carried an article titled " Residence de l'Ambassadfeur des Etat-Unis: hommage et recueillement en la memoire de feue Catherine Puzey. " (Residence of the Ambassador of the United States: tribute to the late Catherine Puzey). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on a biographical information of MCC's Deputy Director, Darius Mans, titled "(Biographie de Darius Mans, vice-President du Millenium Challenge Corporation,." (Biography of Darius Mans, Vice-President of the Millennium Challenge Corporation). An article in Nouvelle Generation, titled " Cooperation Benin-USA : prochaine visite au Benin d'une delegation du Millenium Challenge Corporation." (U.S.-Benin cooperation: upcoming MCC visit to Benin). COTONOU 00000195 005 OF 005 An article in Le Telegramme, titled "Russie/Etats-Unis: Obama defend le droit de l'Otan a s'etendre. " (U.S.-Russia relations : Obama defends Nato's right to enlargement). An article in L'Informateur, based on the entirety of the Mission-produced press release about "President Obama's statement on the financial crisis." A series of three-page articles in the right-of center Le Fleuron, about the tribute ceremony held at the Ambassador's residence in honor of the late Catherine Puzey titled "Assassinat de Mademoiselle Catherine Puzey dans le nord du Benin: le Directeur de Cabinet du Chef de l'Etat, Nestor Dako rassure que justice sera faite." (Killing of Miss Catherine Puzey in northern Benin: the Director of Cabinet of the Head of State assures that justice will be done). March 27 The following articles were published: An article in La Nation and l'Autre Quotidien, titled "Sixieme session du Conseil d'Administration de MCA-Benin : des inquietudes pour le reste du temps d'excution du programme. " (6th session of MCA-Benin's board of governors : some concern over the remaining time for the full implementation of the program). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article titled "Barack Obama utilize l'internet pour s'adresser directement aux Americains." (Barack Obama uses internet to interact directly with Americans). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Millenium Challenge Corporation: le vice-President Darius Mans et son adjoint en visite au Benin. " (Millenium Challenge Account : Vice-President Darius Mans and the Deputy Vice-President on visit to Benin). An article in Le Matinal, titled "Deux semaines apres son assassinat, Catherine Puzey recoit des hommages dignes son rang. " (Two weeks after her murder, Catherine Puzey receives an homage worthy of her rank). Le Matinal also carried a front-page photo of Ambassador Gayleatha ¶B. Brown asking herself "Pourquoi modifier le conseil d'administration du MCA?" (Why modify MCA's board of governors)? An article in Le Matin, titled "Visite du President Americain en France: Obama sur les plages du debarquement le 6 juin. " (U.S. President's visit to France : Obama will be visiting the beaches of the Normandy landings on June 6). March 30 The following articles were published: An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Don de kits de microscopes au Ministere de la Sante : L'USAID contribue a l'amelioration de la qualite du diagnostic du paludisme au Benin. " (Handover of microscope kits to the Ministry of Health : USAID contributes to improving the quality of malaria diagnostics in Benin). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Rechauffement climatique: Obama cree un forum des economies sur l'energie. " (Global warming : Obama creates an economic forum on energy). An article in L'Aurore, titled "Le Pakistan sera aide, mais devra rendre des comptes, dit Obama. " (Pakistan will be assisted, but must be accountable, says Obama). March 31 An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Le vice President du Millennium Challenge Corporation et son adjoint visitent le port de Cotonou. " (MCC's vice-President and his assistant visit the port of Cotonou). ¶2. Electronic media: During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station that covers the entire country broadcast lengthy reports on most 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 and 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. A former WorldNet partner, LC2, continues to broadcast the Crossroad Caf series in English. Brown