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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COTONOU 000355 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 ¶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 July 1 The following articles were published: An article in the left-of-center independent daily, Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: Obama en tete d'un sondage sur les dirigeants du monde." (United States: Obama on top of an opinion poll about the world leaders). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Aurore, titled "USA: Madoff condamne a 150 ans de prison pour sa gigantesque escroquerie." (United States: Madoff sentenced to 150 years in jail for his gigantic financial fraud),and a second article titled "Irak: debut de la fete pour le depart de soldats americains." (Iraq: beginning of the celebration for the pullout of US troops). July 2 An article in Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: Neverland se prepare aux funerailles de Michael Jackson."United Stated: Neverland is making preparations for Michael Jackson's funeral),and another article titled "Un village en Ukraine veut se rebaptiser Jackson." (A village in Ukraine now wants to change its name to be called Jackson). July 3 An article in the right-of-center independent daily, L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Execution du programme Millenium Challenge Account (MCA-Benin): le gouvernement sauve de justesse les deux projets menaces." (Implementing the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA-Benin) program: the government only just saved the two projects that were threatened). July 6 The following articles were published: An article in Le Matin titled, "Hommage a Michael Jackson: des centaines de millions de fans se preparent aux adieux." (Tribute to Michael Jackson: a hundred million fans are preparing for the funeral). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Le Telegramme, titled "Celebration du 233eme anniversaire de la fete nationale des Etats-Unis: le gouvernement beninois etait vivement represente." (Celebration of the 233rd anniversary of U.S. Independence Day: the government of Benin was well represented). An article in L'Aurore, titled, "Violences faites aux femmes et aux filles: l'ONG Sin do du Projet Empower sensibilise les notables de Kpomasse. " (Gender-based violence: Empower's Sin Do NGO Sensitizes the dignitaries of Kpomasse). An article in the left-of-center independent daily, L'Informateur, titled "Obseques: des villageois ivoiriens reclament le coprs de Michael Jackson, leur fils et prince." (Funeral: people from a village in Ivory-Coast request to have the remains of Michael Jackson, their son and Prince). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on the entirety of President Obama's National Day remarks, titled " Les Etats-Unis resteront a jamais le dernier et le meilleur espoir sur terre. " (The United States will forever remain the last and the best hope on earth). July 7 The following articles were published: An article in Le Matin, titled "Obama va visiter le Fort de Cape-Coast." (Obama will visit Cape Coast Castle). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled " Barack Obama confiant dans les progres des relations avec Moscou. " (Barack Obama is optimistic about the progress made in the relations with Moscow) and an editorial in the same newspaper titled "Russie-USA: Quand deux grands se donnent la main." (Russia-United States: when two super-powers shake hands with each other). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an announcement from the Public Affairs Section, inviting the public to the American Cultural Center to watch President Obama's speech in Accra. An article in the left-of-center independent daily L'Informateur, titled "233eme anniversaire de l'independance des Etats-Unis: l'Ambassade des Etats-Unis au Benin celebre l'evenement. " (233rd anniversary of U.S. Independence Day: the Embassy of the United States to Benin celebrates the event). The half-page article was accompanied by the cake cutting photo. An article in Le Telegramme, titled "USA: La magie Obama n'opere pas en Russie." (United States: the Obama magic does not work in COTONOU 00000355 002 OF 004 Russia). An article in L'Aurore, titled "Accord Obama-Medvedev pour une reduction des armes nucleaiares." (The Obama-Medvedev accord for the reduction of nuclear capability). July 8 The following articles were published: An article in the government-controlled La Nation, titled "A los Angeles, Michael Jackson recoit l'hommage planetaire de ses fans." (In Los Angeles, Michael Jackson receives a planetary tribute from his fans). An article in the right-of-center independent daily, Le Telegramme, titled "La visite de Barack Obama au Ghana dans la presse africaine: l'Amerique salue l'exemple de democratie pour l'Afrique. " (Barack Obama's visit to Ghana in the African press : America salutes the example of democracy for Africa). Le Telegramme carried a second article titled "Funerailles de Michael Jackson: un hommage memorial rendu hier au Roi de la Pop music. " (Michael Jackson's funerals : a memorial tribute to the King of Pop Music). Four articles in Le Matin, titled: "Obama: Michael Jackson, l'un des plus grands artistes de notre generation. " (Michael Jackson, one of the most talented artists of our generation). "Choeurs, poemes et chansons en hommage a Michael Jackson a Los Angeles. " (Chorus, poems and songs to pay tribute to Michael Jackson in Los Angeles). "Sur les cinq continents, les fans rendent hommage a Michael Jackson." (On five continents, fans pay last tribute to Michael Jackson). " Paris, la fille de Michael Jackson : depuis que je suis nee, il a ete le pere le plus merveilleux pour moi. " (Paris, Michael Jackson's daughter: Since I was born, he has been the most wonderful father to me). Le Matin also carried the greatest dates of Michael Jackson's lifetime achievements. An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Obama souhaite un partenariat durable avec la Russie." (Obama wishes a sustainable partnership with Russia). July 9 The following articles were published: An article in Le Telegramme, titled " Etats-Unis et Russie: un nouveau depart. " (United States and Russia : a new deal) An article in L'Informateur, titled " Atelier de formation pour la lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes : Empower outille les elus locaux de Bohicon. " (Workshop on Gender-based violence: EMPOWER provides training for the local community in Bohicon). July 10 An article in L'Aurore, titled "Cameroun: l'Amerique aidera au rapatriement des biens mal acquis. " (Cameroon : the United States will assist in remitting the stolen funds). A lengthy article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on President Obama's answers to the SMS questions sent to him by Africans. The article is titled " Il est tres important que les dirigeants africains soient obliges de rendre des comptes. " (It is very important that African leaders be accountable for their tenure in office). L'Autre Quotidien also carried two other articles titled: "Obama au Ghana: tourisme historique et democratie africaine au menu." (Obama in Ghana: the President's trip is an historical tourism during which the status of democracy in Africa will be addressed). "Etats-Unis: le nombre des nouvelles inscriptions au chomage atteint son plus bas niveau depuis janvier. " (United States : the number of the registered jobless persons has reached its lowest level since January). An article in Le Matin, titled "Ghana: la visite d'Obama fait des jaloux dans certains pays africains." (Some African countries are jealous about the choice of Ghana to host President Obama's visit). An article in Fraternite and la Nouvelle Tribune, based on President Obama's interview with Allafrica.Com titled "Les africains sont responsables du developpement et de la prosperite de l'Afrique. " (Africans are responsible for the development and prosperity of Africa). Fraternite also carried a second article titled "Visite de Barack Obama au Ghana: le Benin ne restera pas en marge de l'evenement. " (President Obama's visit to Ghana : Benin will also be a part of the event). An article in Le Telegramme, about the political situation in Honduras titled "Un coup d'etat qui ne dit pas son nom. " (A coup d'Etat that they do not want to describe as such). July 13 The following articles were published: An article in La Nouvelle Tribune, Le Telegramme and L'Avenir, COTONOU 00000355 003 OF 004 titled "Au Ghana, Obama a appele les Africains a prendre en main leur destinee."(In Ghana, Obama called to the African leaders to take their destiny in their hands). An article in L'Autre Quotidien, based on President Obama's speech in Ghana titled "Le President Obama au Ghana: l'Afrique n'est pas a l'ecart des affaires du monde. " (President Obama in Ghana : Africa is not isolated from international affairs). L'Autre Quotidien also carried an editorial titled "Ghana: l'espoir africain de Barack Obama." (Ghana: Barack Obama's African hope). An article in the right-of-center independent daily La Presse du Jour, titled "En marge de la visite du President americain au Ghana, le CCA au Benin a projete " Obama, l'homme qu'on n'attendait. " (As part of the activities scheduled to mark President Obama's visit to Ghana, the American Cultural Center in Benin showed the film titled "Obama, the man whose arrival on the scene nobody expected"). July 14 The following articles were published: An article in Le Telegramme, titled "Visite au Ghana: Obama donne une prime a la democratie." (Visit to Ghana: Obama encourages the promotion of democracy). An article in the state-controlled La Nation, titled "Visite historique du Prsident Obama au Ghana." (President Obama's historical trip to Ghana). La Nation carried a second article titled "Cour Supreme Americaine: Sonia Sotomayor a debute son grand oral au Senat." (Supreme Court of the United States: Hearings begin at the Senate for Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation). An article in Le Matinal, titled "Au cours de sa premiere visite en Afrique, Obama donne une prime a la democratie." During his first trip to Africa, Obama encourages the promotion of democracy). An article in La Nouvelle Tribune based on the entirety of President Obama's speech in Accra. July 15 The following articles were published: An article in La Nouvelle Tribune and L'Informateur, based on the entirety of President Obama's speech in Accra. An article in Le Matin, titled, "Etats-Unis: Obama choisit une femme noire pour diriger la sante publique." (Obama picks on a black Medical Doctor to be Director of Public Health). An article in Le Telegramme, titled, "USA: les secrets bien gardes de Dick Cheney." (United States : Dick Cheney's well kept secrets). An article in L'Avenir, titled, " Ghana : Obama appelle les Africains a prendre en main leur destin." (Ghana: Obama calls to Africans to take their destiny in their hands). An article in the state-controlled La Nation, based on the Mission-produced press release, titled, "Sante maternelle au Benin: des soins obstetricaux de qualite pour sauver la vie des femmes. " (Mother's health in Benin : adequate obstetric treatment to save women at delivery. July 16 An article in L'Autre Quotidien, titled "La Chambre des Representants demande a la CIA les documents de son programme anti-terroriste secret." (The Senate requests CIA to turn in all documents related to its secret anti-terrorist program). July 21 An article in La Nation and L'Autre Quotidien, titled "Etats-Unis: L'Amerique fete les 40 ans de la conquete de la lune." (United States: America celebrates the 40th anniversary of Man's landing on the moon). L'Autre Quotidien carried a second article titled "Etats-Unis: Joe Biden a Kiev pour assurer l'Ukraine du soutien americain. " (United States : Joe Biden in Kiev to assure Ukraine of US support). July 22 An article in Le Matin, titled "Etats-Unis: Barack Obama confirme ses origines africaines aupres des Mormons." (United States: Barack Obama confirms his African origins with the Mormons). July 24 The following articles were published: Two articles in the right-of-center independent daily Le Challenge, titled: "Etats-Unis: Obama promet de reformer la sante cette annee." (United States: Obama promises to reform the health insurance system this year). "Etats-Unis - Georgie: Joe Biden reaffirme le soutien de Washington a Tbilisi. " (United States: Joe Biden reaffirms Washington's support to Tbilissi). COTONOU 00000355 004 OF 004 An article in Fraternite and La Nouvelle Tribune, titled " Validation de la strategie d'appui aux communes dans le domaine du foncier : le Millenium Challenge Account entretient les elus locaux a Porto-Novo. " (MCA-Benin - sponsored workshop on the strategy to support the districts in securing land safety in the Department of Oueme. July 27 An article in Le Matinal, titled "Soiree de contes a Cotonou: Raouf Mama promeut les valeurs culturelles traditionnelles. " (Story telling party in Cotonou : Raouf Mama promotes traditional cultural values). July 28 Two articles in L'Autre Quotidien, titled: "Premiere session extraordinaire du Conseil d'Administration de MCA-Benin: un pas de geant vers la modernisation du Port. " (First extraordinary session of MCA-Benin's board of governors : a big step forward towards modernizing the port of Cotonou). " Etats-Unis: Barack Obama souhaite une cooperation Pekin-Washington renforcee. " (United States: Barack Obama wishes a reinforced cooperation between Beijing and Washington). An article in Fraternite, titled: "Seance de contes a la librairie Bufalo: Raouf Mama seduit par son authenticite. " (Story telling party at the Bufalo book store : Raouf Mama's authenticity is captivating). Fraternite carried a second article titled: Reflexions sur le discours d'Obama a l'Afrique: les colons ne sont jamais partis. " (Reflexions on President Obama's address to Africa : the colonial masters never left). ¶3. Electronic Media: During the period of this report, the state-owned TV and radio station, ORTB, covering the entire country, broadcast news reports on President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana in French and all major local languages. Several privately-owned radio and TV stations, including Canal 3, LC2, Carrefour TV and the most prominent Cotonou-based Golfe TV, also carried reports on the visit. On July 2nd, Golfe TV hosted a live debate featuring Charge d'Affaires Martina Boustani, a Faculty member and a leading Cotonou-based Muslim Activist; the debate was based on the issue raised in "President Obama's speech in Cairo". On July 26, Canal 3 broadcast a pre-recorded debate featuring the Charge d'Affaires and an invited guest, to address the issues raised in President Obama's speech in Accra. 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. Boustani