SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN BENIN

Press Release
SG/T/2008

SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN BENIN

The Secretary-General arrived in Cotonou last night. He was welcomed at the airport by the Minster of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Benin, Yves- Edgar Monou. The Secretary-General said he was in Benin to hold talks with the Head of State, President Nicephore Soglo and to attend the Francophone Summit.

At 9:30 this morning the Secretary-General was received by the President of the Republic for a meeting which lasted one hour. President Soglo was accompanied by the Minister for Relations with Organisations and Government Spokesman, Theodore Holo, as well as the Secretary-General of the Government of Benin, Guy Adjanohoun. The Secretary-General was accompanied by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Lansana Kouyate.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to President Soglo for his warm welcome and his active role in the international arena in favour of peace. The President and the Secretary-General had an in-depth discussion on the situations in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Secretary-General briefed the President on the results of his visits to those two countries. The two men also conducted an overview of the problems of West Africa.

Following the meeting the Secretary-General told the press that he was very happy to represent the United Nations at the forthcoming Francophone Summit and the importance the United Nations attaches to the Francophonie as a cultural movement which contributes to democratization of international relations.

In response to a question on Nigeria the Secretary-General said "I discussed the situation in Nigeria with President Soglo. We examined the different aspects of this problem. We are following this situation very closely to avoid its aggravation." On the question of possible sanctions against Nigeria the Secretary-General said "this depends on draft resolutions which could be adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. At the moment there are drafts being discussed in New York."

- 2 - Press Release SG/T/2008 30 November 1995

At midday the Secretary-General visited Ouidah, 40 kilometres from Cotonou, to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the "Porte du non retour" (the door of non-return) which is a monument erected by the Government of Benin in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in memory of the victims of slavery. The ceremony was attended by the President of Benin and other senior officials. The Secretary-General delivered an address, the text of which is available in the Spokesman's office, in French.

At 2 p.m. the Secretary-General travelled back to Cotonou.

At 6 p.m. the Secretary-General will receive the Egyptian delegation to the Francophone Summit.

On Saturday, 2 December, the Secretary-General will participate in the opening ceremony of the Sixth Francophone Summit, where he will deliver an address.

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