COTONOU: JUNE, 2009 REPORT ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COTONOU 000282 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (VHARPER) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL OIIP KPAO BN SUBJECT: COTONOU: JUNE, 2009 REPORT ON THE PLACEMENT OF STATE AND MISSION-PRODUCED MATERIALS COTONOU 00000282 001.2 OF 005 ¶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. ¶2. Print media June 2 The following articles were published: An article in the right-of-center independent daily newspapers L'Autre Quotidien and Fraternite, and in the left-of-center independent daily Le Matin, titled "Millenium Challenge Account: une delegation nigeriane visite le programme." (Millenium Challenge Account: a Nigerian delegation paid a courtesy visit to the program). An article in the right-of-center independent daily L'Aurore, titled " Lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes: les populations de Tori-Bossito formees grace au Projet Empower. " (Fighting gender-based violence: the populations of Tori-Bossito have been trained thanks to the Empower Project). June 3 The following articles were published: An article in the state-controlled daily La Nation, the right-of-center independent daily, L'Autre Quotidien, and the left-of-center independent daily, La Nouvelle Tribune, titled "Entretien avec Simon Pierre Adovelande: nous avons de reelles inquietudes par rapport au projet Acces a la Justice." (Interview with Simon Pierre Adovelande: We are seriously concerned about the implementation of the Access to Justice project). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, La Nouvelle Gazette, titled "Obama nomme un republicain au poste de Secretaire d'Etat a l'Armee de Terre." (Obama appoints a Republican to the Position of Secretary of State for the Ground Armed Forces). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Aurore, titled "Vol AF447: l'armee americaine envoie un avion pour participer aux recherches." (Flight AF447: U.S. Army sends a plane to participate in the search). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Fraternite, and the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matin, titled " Entretien avec le Coordonnateur National du MCA-Benin: je suis convaincu que le motif du gouvernement est d'assurer pleinement sa responsabilite. " (Interview with MCA-Benin's National Coordinator: I have the conviction that the government will be committed to fully fulfilling its obligations). June 4 An article in Le Matin titled, " Visite: le President Obama en Arabie Saoudite. " (President Obama's visit in Saudi-Arabia). June 5 An article in L'Autre Quotidien, Le Matin, Fraternite and La Nation, titled " 7eme session ordinaire du Millenium Challenge Account au Benin: une session decisive pour la reussite du programme. " (7th ordinary session of the Millenium Challenge Account Program in Benin: a crucial session for the success of the program). L'Autre Quotidien also carried three other articles titled: " Relations Etats-Unis - Monde musulman: Barack Obama veut un nouveau depart. " (Relations between the United States and the Muslim world: Barack Obama wants a new beginning). " Ben Laden tente de brouiller le discours d'Obama aux musulmans. " (Bin Laden is making an attempt to blur Obama's speech to the Muslim world). " Accord europeen sur les conditions d'accueil des prisonniers de Guantanamo. " (European accord on the hosting conditions of the Guantanamo prisoners). June 8 The following articles were published: An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Le Challenge, titled "Conference sur le theme MCA: Quelle contribution au developpement du Benin?" (Conference on the topic: MCA: What contribution to Benin's development). An article in L'Aurore titled, " Violence basee sur le genre: le projet Empower sensibilise les femmes de Womey. " (Gender-based violence: the Empower project sensitizes the women of Womey). An article in L'Autre Quotidien and Le Matin titled, " Universite d'Abomey-Calavi: les etudiants soutiennent les actions de developpement du MCA-Benin. " (The students of the University of Abomey-Calavi support MCA-Benin's development actions). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article titled, " La Coree du Nord est sur la liste des Etats terroristes. " (North Korea is on the list of terrorist states). Le Matin also carried an article titled "Barack COTONOU 00000282 002.2 OF 005 Obama a quitte Paris." (Barack Obama left Paris). An article in La Nation, titled, " Violences basees sur le genre: les journalistes a l'ecole du projet EMPOWER. " (Gender-based violence: reporters participated in a training session sponsored by the EMPOWER project). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " Programme de developpement: un cercle d'etudiants pour soutenir les actions de MCA-Benin. " (Development program: a group of students to support the actions of MCA-Benin). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Option Infos, titled "Manoeuvres militaries a Bembereke: des elements des Forces Armees Americaines arrivent au Benin." (Military training in Bembereke: U.S. service members arrive in Benin for the Shared Accord). An article in Fraternite titled, "Cooperation militaire benino-americaine: plus 1000 Marines en simulation de crise a Bembereke." (U.S.-Benin military cooperation: more than 1000 Marines on military training at Bembereke). June 9 The following articles were published: An article in L'Autre Quotidien titled, "Realisation des plans fonciers ruraux dans l'Alibori: Simon Pierre Adovelande satisfait de l'avancee des travaux a Gogounou." (Achieving the land safety project in the department of Alibori: Simon Pierre Adovelande is satisfied with the work being done at Gogounou). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an article based on the transcripts of President Obama's interview with reporters in Cairo titled, "Obama face a la presse du Caire sur le Moyen-Orient: la situation exige un engagement serieux a long terme des Etats-Unis." (Obama's interview with reporters in Cairo on the situation in the Middle-East: the situation requires a serious and long-term commitment by the United States). An article in L'Informateur titled, "Operation Dumagnore 2009: les Forces Armees Beninoises renforcent leur capacite." (Doumagnore 2009: Benin services members reinforce their capacity). June 10 The following articles were published: An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " Exercice benino-americain denommne Doumagnore 2009: les activites militaires demarrent ce jour. " (Joint military training between Benin and the United Stated called Doumagnore 2009: the training activities begin today). An article in the centrist independent daily Le Telegramme titled, " Affaire de vente d'un domaine de l'Ambassade du Benin aux Etats-Unis: le prevenu libere. " (Scandalous sale of a piece of land belonging to the Embassy of Benin to the United States: the suspect has been released). Le Telegramme also carried another article titled, "Obama tres inquiet de la condamnation de deux journalistes americains en Coree du Nord. " (Obama is seriously concerned about the conviction of two American journalists in North Korea). An article in Le Matin titled, "Manoeuvres militaries benino-americaines: des elements des forces americaines arrivent au Benin. " (Military training between Benin and the United States : U.S. service members arrive in Benin for Shared Accord). Le Matin also carried another article titled, "Realisation de plans fonciers ruraux a Sinende: Adovelande apprecie l'avancee des travaux." (Achieving rural land safety survey at Sinende: Adovelande appreciates the progress made). An article in La Nation titled, " Exercice Doumagnore 2009: les manoeuvres demarrent ce jour. " (Doumagnore 2009: the military training begins today). La Nation also carried another article titled, " Le foncier a Gogounou: le MCA-Benin a la rencontre des comites locaux de gestion. " (Achieving rural land safety at Gogounou: MCA-Benin meets with the local management committee). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, "Exercice benino-americain denomme " Doumagnore 2009: les activites militaires demarrent ce jour. " (Military training named Doumagnore 2009: the training activities begin today). Also in La Nouvelle Tribune, there was an article titled, " Realisation des Plans Fonciers Ruraux dans le Nord: Adovelande s'impregne de l'evolution des travaux a Gogounou. " (Achieving rural land safety in Northern Benin: Adovelande is informed about the progress made). June 11 An article in L'Autre Quotidien titled, " MCA-Benin / Projet Acces au Foncier: Sinende et Save reiterent leur engagement. " (MCA-Benin's Access to Land project: the cities of Sinende and Save reiterate their commitment). COTONOU 00000282 003.2 OF 005 June 12 The following articles were published: An article in Le Matin titled, " Realisation des Plans Fonciers Ruraux dans les collines: les Tchabe s'engagent a reussir le projet. " (Implementing the land safety project in the department of Collines: The Tchabe commit themselves to making the project a success). An article in Le Telegramme titled, "Exercie militaire benino-americain: lancement de Doumagnore 2009." (Military training between Benin and the United States: launching of Doumagnore 2009). June 15 The following articles were published: An article in Fraternite titled, " Realisation des Plans Fonciers Ruraux: MCA-Benin s'impregne des difficultes rencontrees sur le terrain. " (Implementing the land safety project: MCA-Benin is traveling around the country to learn about the difficulties hampering the smooth running of the program). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " MCA-Benin/Realisation des Plans Fonciers Ruraux: des avancees notables a Agbangnizoun et a Allada. " (Implementing MCA-Benin's land safety project: some remarkable progress has been made in Agbangnizoun and Allada). Three articles in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur titled: "Le projet veterinaire d'assistance civile vise a entretenir les relations entre les Etats-Unis et le Benin. " (Veterinary assistance project aims at fostering US-Benin relations). " La ceremonie d'ouverture marque le lancement de Doumagnore 2009. " (The opening ceremony marks the launching of Doumagnore 2009). " Les soldats du Genie Maritime procedent a la renovation d'un champ de tir au cours de Doumagnore 2009. " (Seabees renovate a shooting range for Shared Accord 2009). An article in Le Matin, titled " Manoeuvres militaires benino-americaines: lancement de Doumagnore 2009. " (U.S.-Benin military cooperation: launching of Doumagnore 2009). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled " projet veterinaire d'assistance civile : Dynamiser les relations entre les Etats-Unis et le peuple beninois. " (Veterinary project fosters U.S.-Benin relations). June 16 The following articles were published: An article in Le Matin, titled " Lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes: des journalists formes pour appuyer le projet. " (Fighting gender-based violence: reporters have been trained to support the project.) Le Matin also carried an article titled, " Millenium Challenge Account: lancement du deuxieme appel a proposition de projet pour beneficier de la subvention de la facilite du MCA-Benin. " (Millenium Challenge Account: second announcement inviting qualified businessmen and entrepreneurs to submit viable projects to benefit from MCA-Benin's facility grant). An article in Fraternite titled, " Atelier de formation des journalistes a Lokossa sur les violences faites aux femmes. " (Training workshop in Lokossa on the topic Gender-based violence). June 19 The following articles were published: An article in Le Telegramme titled, " Causerie sur le livre Pratique du Journalisme: Mention Bien au Centre Culturel Americain. " (Book discussion on the book titled Practicing Journalism as a profession: Speaker gets credit for his presentation at the American Cultural Center). An article in La Nation titled, " Fin de Doumagonre 2009: satisfaction partagee des etats-majors et des populations. " (End of Doumagnore 2009: feelings of satisfaction from both sides and from the populations). An article in Le Matinal and La Nouvelle Tribune titled, " Cooperation benino-americaine: l'exercice militaire Doumagnore prend fin ce jour. " (U.S.-Benin cooperation : Doumagnore comes to an end today). June 22 An article in La Nouvelle Tribune and Le Matin titled, " Projet Acces au Foncier: MCA-Benin lance les consultations publiques sur le livre blanc. " (Access to land project: launching of public consultations on the white paper). Le Matin also carried another article titled, " Millenium Challenge Account: lancement du deuxieme appel a proposition de projets pour beneficier de la subvention de la facilite du MCA-Benin. " (Millenium Challenge Account: second COTONOU 00000282 004.2 OF 005 announcement inviting eligible members to submit applications in order to benefit from the facility grant). June 23 The following articles were published: An article in Fraternite titled, " Projet Acces au Foncier du Millenium Challenge Account: la vulgarisation du livre blanc sur le foncier touche l'Oueme et le Plateau. " (MCA-Benin's Access to Land project: the popularization of the White Paper covers the departments of Oueme and Plateau). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the Mission-produced press release, titled, "Inauguration du nouveau refectoire de l'orphelinat d'Abomey." (Opening of the new dining hall at the Abomey Orphanage). An article in L'Informateur titled, " Causerie autour du livre Pratique du Journalisme: l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis renforce la capacite des journalistes beninois. " (Book discussion on the topic Practice Journalism as a Profession: the Embassy of the United States reinforces the capacity of the Beninese journalists). An article in L'Aurore titled, "Obama signe une loi anti-tabac tres restrictive." (Obama signs a restrictive anti-tobacco law). June 24 The following articles were published: An article in La Nation titled, "Obama face a la presse pour tenter de retrouver l'elan de la campagne." (Obama meets the press in an order to regain his campaign momentum). La Nation also carried two other articles titled: "Violences faites aux filles et aux femmes: eradiquer le phenomene en milieu scolaire beninois. " (Gender-based violence to girls and women : eradicate the problem in schools). "Acces des enterprises aux services financiers: amener les banques a mieux cerner les besoins des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises. " (Access to credit: assist the banks to better understand the needs of the small and medium enterprises). An article in L'Informateur titled, " Manoeuvres militaries benino-americaines Doumagnore 2009: l'exercice a mieux outille l'armee beninoise. " (U.S.-Benin military cooperation: the training exercise really reinforced the capacity of the Beninese service members). L'Informateur also carried another article titled, " Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: inauguration du nouveau refectoire de l'orphelinat d'Abomey. " (Embassy of the United States of America: Opening of a new dining hall at the Abomey orphanage). June 25 The following articles were published: An article in L'Informateur and L'Option Infos, based on the Mission-produced press release, titled, "Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amerique: inauguration du nouveau refectoire de l'orphelinat d'Abomey." (Embassy of the United States of America: opening of a new dining hall at the Abomey Orphanage). An article in Le Matin titled, " Millenium Challenge Account: lancement du deuxieme appel a proposition de projets pour beneficier de la subvention de la facilite du MCA-Benin. " (Millenium Challenge Account: publication of the second announcement inviting eligible members of the public to submit viable projects in order to benefit from the facility grant). An article in Fraternite titled, " Atelier de restitution publique sur le livre blanc de politique fonciere au Benin: les acteurs fonciers du Borgou-Alibori s'approprient le document. " (Workshop on the popularization of the government's white paper on the land safety policy in Benin: the land surveyors in the departments of Borgou-Alibori appreciate the content of the document). June 26 An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, based on the Mission-produced press release, titled, "Inauguration du nouveau refectoire de l'orphelinat d'Abomey." (Opening of a new dining hall at the orphanage of Abomey). June 30 An article in La Nation, La Nouvelle Tribune and Le Matin titled, " Retard des reformes liees au programme MCA-Benin: le gouvernement en voie de perdre 87 milliards FCFA." (Delay in carrying out the reforms related to the implementation of the MCA-Benin program: the government is about to lose 87 billion FCFA). Le Matin also carried four other articles titled: "Michael Jackson innoncente aprhs sa mort: Jordan Chandler aurait-il menti en 1993? " (Michael Jackson found innocent after his death: did Jordan Chandler lie in 1993?) " L'heritage animal de Michael Jackon pose aussi problem. " (Michael Jackson's zoological heritage is also a problem). COTONOU 00000282 005.2 OF 005 " Le mystere demeure autour de la mort de Michael Jackson. " (Mystery persists over Michael Jackson's death). " Michael Jackson: le chanteur etait dans un etat epouvantable au moment de son deces. " (Michael Jackson: the singer was in a horrible state at the moment of his death). An article in Le Telegramme titled, " Etats-Unis: 150 ans de prison pour Bernard Madoff. " (United States: Bernard Madoff gets a 150-year prison sentence). Three articles in L'Informateur, related to the death of Michael Jackson titled: " Enquete sur la mort de Michael Jackson: possible overdose de narcotiques. " (Investigations about the death of Michael Jackson: possible narcotics overdose). "Avec ses arrieres estimes a 500 millions de dollars, Jackson legue une montagne de dettes." (With his arrears estimated at 500 million dollars, Jackson leaves behind a mountain of debts). "Deces de Michael Jackson: la monumentale oeuvre du roi de la Pop. " (Michael Jackson's death: the monumental legacy of the king of Pop music). An article in La Nation, based on the Washington Daily File article 501 of June 29 titled, "Les Etats-Unis cherchent a favoriser l'acceleration de la croissance economique en Afrique. " (The United States seek to favor speedy economic growth in Africa). La Nation also carried another article titled, "Lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes et aux filles: bienttt des prix aux meilleures communes. " (Fighting gender-based violence: the best districts will soon receive an award). ¶3. Electronic Media: During the period of this report, the state-owned radio station, covering the entire country, broadcast lengthy reports on most Mission-hosted activities in French and all major local languages. The state-controlled ORTB TV station covered and carried news segments on some activities that the Mission jointly organized with the government, such as the bilateral military training. ORTB TV also covered and broadcast a lengthy report on Post's June 18 book discussion. 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 Cafe series in English. Because this series is very popular here, it has already been broadcast three times, on demand by the public, and LC2 is currently getting in touch with Post to find out if we have another series to offer them. Boustani