Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10COTONOU90
2010-02-16 14:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
BENIN: AF A/S CARSON MEETS PRESIDENT YAYI
how-toVZCZCXRO4541 RR RUEHLMC RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0090/01 0471420 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161418Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0023 INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000090
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/W. AF/RSA, WHA/CAR, AND DRL
DEPT PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM KMCA HA BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AF A/S CARSON MEETS PRESIDENT YAYI
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000090
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/W. AF/RSA, WHA/CAR, AND DRL
DEPT PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM KMCA HA BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AF A/S CARSON MEETS PRESIDENT YAYI
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A/S Carson's meeting with Benin's President
Yayi strongly buttressed Yayi's determination to pursue close
collaboration with the USG. Yayi stressed his government's concern
for Haiti and its reconstruction after the January earthquake; the
importance of USG support for Benin's Permanent Digital Electoral
List (LEPI); the GOB's great interest in achieving a second
Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact; maritime security
cooperation; and wider USG support for economic development,
especially for Benin's agricultural sector. A/S Carson's
announcement of a U.S. contribution of USD 100,000 towards LEPI was
very warmly received. END SUMMARY.
--------------
SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI
--------------
2. (U) Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson met
President Boni Yayi in Cotonou February 5, 2010. A/S Carson opened
the meeting by commending Yayi for Government of Benin (GOB)
support for Haiti relief, noting that Haiti is a high priority for
the Secretary of State. Yayi responded that Benin offered a small
contribution from a small country, but it was an important symbol
of support. Yayi added that Benin would find space in its schools
and universities to educate Haitians whose schools have been
destroyed by the earthquake. He reported that he has requested
United Nations support for Haitian students who will come to Benin
to study.
--------------
PARTNERS FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT
--------------
3. (U) Foreign Minister Jean-Marie Ehouzou summarized his earlier
meeting with A/S Carson for President Yayi (septel),emphasizing
the USG's offer of USD 100,000 to support Benin's Permanent Digital
Electoral List (LEPI). FM Ehouzou closed his summary by noting
that a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, if
approved, would especially support growth for Benin's agricultural
sector and its social development needs.
4. (U) President Yayi praised Ambassador Knight's efforts in
Benin, and emphasized that A/S Carson's visit is testimony to the
positive regard the U.S. holds for Benin. He thanked Carson for
the U.S. LEPI contribution, noting that, as the world's leading
democracy, U.S. support for democracy in Benin is critical. Yayi
expressed his hope for a longer visit by A/S Carson and eventual
visits by Secretary Clinton and President Obama, noting that
President Obama will feel at home in Benin.
5. (U) In response, A/S Carson applauded Benin's democracy and
emphasized that well-established excellent U.S. - Benin relations
are the result of shared values and principles. A/S Carson
underscored that he is proud of Benin's partnership with the U.S.,
and his satisfaction that MCC funds are being used to develop
Benin's economy for the benefit of its people. He cautioned that
it is too early for a decision on a second MCC Compact for Benin.
A/S Carson also noted that, in addition to MCC, the USG supports
Benin's development through programs implemented by the U.S. Agency
for International Development, the Department of Justice, and the
Department of Defense. A/S Carson underscored that Secretary of
State Clinton often notes that the U.S. is only as strong as its
friends and allies. He added that he will encourage Secretary
Clinton to visit Benin at her next opportunity.
6. (U) President Yayi expressed his gratitude for the USG's
donation of two Defender-class maritime patrol craft to Benin's
COTONOU 00000090 002 OF 002
armed forces in January, pointing out that such resources are
critical to maintain maritime security and interdict drug
traffickers and pirates.
7. (SBU) Yayi apologized that Benin cannot always break ranks with
the G-77 or the African bloc at the UN. A/S Carson thanked him for
GOB efforts to vote with the US whenever possible.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: A/S Carson's visit to Benin was exceptionally
useful and well-timed to assure strong USG engagement in
preparations for Benin's 2011 Presidential and legislative
elections. His announcement of USG support for LEPI was especially
key to enabling such engagement. END COMMENT.
9. (U) A/S Carson has cleared this message.
KNIGHT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/W. AF/RSA, WHA/CAR, AND DRL
DEPT PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM KMCA HA BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AF A/S CARSON MEETS PRESIDENT YAYI
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A/S Carson's meeting with Benin's President
Yayi strongly buttressed Yayi's determination to pursue close
collaboration with the USG. Yayi stressed his government's concern
for Haiti and its reconstruction after the January earthquake; the
importance of USG support for Benin's Permanent Digital Electoral
List (LEPI); the GOB's great interest in achieving a second
Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact; maritime security
cooperation; and wider USG support for economic development,
especially for Benin's agricultural sector. A/S Carson's
announcement of a U.S. contribution of USD 100,000 towards LEPI was
very warmly received. END SUMMARY.
--------------
SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI
--------------
2. (U) Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson met
President Boni Yayi in Cotonou February 5, 2010. A/S Carson opened
the meeting by commending Yayi for Government of Benin (GOB)
support for Haiti relief, noting that Haiti is a high priority for
the Secretary of State. Yayi responded that Benin offered a small
contribution from a small country, but it was an important symbol
of support. Yayi added that Benin would find space in its schools
and universities to educate Haitians whose schools have been
destroyed by the earthquake. He reported that he has requested
United Nations support for Haitian students who will come to Benin
to study.
--------------
PARTNERS FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT
--------------
3. (U) Foreign Minister Jean-Marie Ehouzou summarized his earlier
meeting with A/S Carson for President Yayi (septel),emphasizing
the USG's offer of USD 100,000 to support Benin's Permanent Digital
Electoral List (LEPI). FM Ehouzou closed his summary by noting
that a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, if
approved, would especially support growth for Benin's agricultural
sector and its social development needs.
4. (U) President Yayi praised Ambassador Knight's efforts in
Benin, and emphasized that A/S Carson's visit is testimony to the
positive regard the U.S. holds for Benin. He thanked Carson for
the U.S. LEPI contribution, noting that, as the world's leading
democracy, U.S. support for democracy in Benin is critical. Yayi
expressed his hope for a longer visit by A/S Carson and eventual
visits by Secretary Clinton and President Obama, noting that
President Obama will feel at home in Benin.
5. (U) In response, A/S Carson applauded Benin's democracy and
emphasized that well-established excellent U.S. - Benin relations
are the result of shared values and principles. A/S Carson
underscored that he is proud of Benin's partnership with the U.S.,
and his satisfaction that MCC funds are being used to develop
Benin's economy for the benefit of its people. He cautioned that
it is too early for a decision on a second MCC Compact for Benin.
A/S Carson also noted that, in addition to MCC, the USG supports
Benin's development through programs implemented by the U.S. Agency
for International Development, the Department of Justice, and the
Department of Defense. A/S Carson underscored that Secretary of
State Clinton often notes that the U.S. is only as strong as its
friends and allies. He added that he will encourage Secretary
Clinton to visit Benin at her next opportunity.
6. (U) President Yayi expressed his gratitude for the USG's
donation of two Defender-class maritime patrol craft to Benin's
COTONOU 00000090 002 OF 002
armed forces in January, pointing out that such resources are
critical to maintain maritime security and interdict drug
traffickers and pirates.
7. (SBU) Yayi apologized that Benin cannot always break ranks with
the G-77 or the African bloc at the UN. A/S Carson thanked him for
GOB efforts to vote with the US whenever possible.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: A/S Carson's visit to Benin was exceptionally
useful and well-timed to assure strong USG engagement in
preparations for Benin's 2011 Presidential and legislative
elections. His announcement of USG support for LEPI was especially
key to enabling such engagement. END COMMENT.
9. (U) A/S Carson has cleared this message.
KNIGHT