CHARGE PARTICIPATES IN TV DEBATE ON OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000308

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SUBJECT: CHARGE PARTICIPATES IN TV DEBATE ON OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH

1.SUMMARY: As a follow-up to President Obama's speech in Cairo on
June 4, a Cotonou-based privately owned TV station, Golfe
Television, hosted a live debate on July 2 to address the issues
raised in the speech. The three panelists included, the Charge
d'Affaires, Roger Gbegnonvi, Professor of Humanities at the
University of Abomey-Calavi (and a former Minister of Literacy and
National Languages) and El Hadj Bachir Soumanou, Muslim Activist and
Director of the Center for Studies and Research on Islam. Soumanou,
a former critic of the U.S. policy towards the Muslim community, was
very impressed with the President's new direction and approach to
Muslims and applauded his foreign policy objectives. Gbegnonvi
opined that President Obama's Cairo speech will contribute to easing
the tension and pave the way for new perspectives between the United
States and the Muslim world. END SUMMARY

Former Tensions between the US and Muslim World Dissipated


2. Professor Gbegnonvi felt tensions between the United States and
the Muslim world surfaced after September 11. In his view, Obama's
speech, interrupted 33 times by applause, went a long way, however,
in easing these tensions. Asked to comment on her recollections of
events following September 11, the Charge d'Affaires said that her
most poignant memories of September 11 revolved around the two weeks
she spent at the Embassy in Berlin receiving Germans who wanted to
sign the condolence books. Germans of every religion stood in lines
deep into the night to sign and express their condolences. She also
received a hand drawn postcard from German Muslim children of
Turkish origin carrying the phrase "America, we love you". According
to her, Islam as a religion had nothing to do with the events of
September 11.

Islam and Terrorism


3. For Professor Gbegnonvi, the crisis was triggered by the lack of
tolerance in the Muslim community. Soumanou countered that,
according to the teachings of the Koran, Islam is a religion of
peace and tolerance, and any Muslim who does not adhere to these
values can no longer be called a Muslim. He said that in every
religion, there are good men and bad men. According to the teachings
of the Holy Koran, he said, a good Muslim should have respect for
his body and, therefore, should not act as a suicide bomber. If we
want to end the crisis we are currently going through, he added, we
need to abide by the universal values, as indicated in President
Obama's speech.

The Middle East Crisis


4. Referring to President Obama's speech, the Charge pointed out
that the call for a new beginning will be based on mutual respect,
stressing that mutual respect implies equal partners. The Charge
emphasized the openness with which the President spoke, especially
when he recognized the legitimacy of a Palestinian state, which
Professor Gbegnonvi said has been accepted by the Israeli Prime
Minister, under U.S. pressure. Commenting on the honest and frank
tone of Obama's speeches, Soumanou observed that by advocating the
creation of a Palestinian state, President Obama went on record as
taking a position former President Bush never advocated. He
emphasized that President Obama's new approach in dealing with the
problem will lead to peace and mutual understanding. Soumanou was
definitely convinced by Obama's speech and relinquished his former
reservations over the U.S. foreign policy objectives. In his view,
chaos was looming, but the world is fortunate to have a man like
Obama whom he described as "a messenger of God."

Nuclear Capability


5. "Fear God and speak the truth!" said President Obama in his
speech. According to Gbegnonvi, the world cannot continue to live
under the threat of a potential nuclear attack, and President
Obama's suggestion of a nuclear-free environment is more than
welcome. In her comments, the Charge pointed out that the United
States is taking the necessary steps to reduce its nuclear arsenal.

Democracy


6. President Obama focused on the fact that his administration is
committed to promoting democratic values across the world. Gnegnonvi
lauded this position and noted that according to recent statistics,
45% of Africans also want democracy. The Charge added that the call
for the observance of human rights and democracy should be heard
everywhere around the world.
Soumanou noted that Democracy and religion can work side by side,
and added that Obama is the right man at the right time and place to
address this issue.

Freedom of Religion


7. Obama's speech highlighted the fact that people in the U.S. are
free to practice their religion and the Charge noted that there are
over 1,200 mosques in the United States. Soumanou appreciated
President Obama's desire to cooperate with Muslims in the United

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States in eradicating poverty, by working with them to enable them
to implement the Zakhat, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Promoting Girls' Education


8. According to the panelists, it is important to promote girls'
education to achieve economic development and they appreciated the
fact that President Obama was wise enough to have mentioned this in
his speech. The Charge added that girls' education is not only
important, but essential for the development of a country.


Comments


9. The Charge's comments on the policy of the current administration
towards the Muslim community were drawn from State Department
materials. She deftly answered sensitive questions and the program
sparked many positive comments in the local community and follow-up
press reports. The majority of the Beninese audience, including the
local Muslim community, has found much to approve in President
Obama's speech, thanks to this program. Based on public demand, the
program was rebroadcast on July 5.

Boustani