FRENCH RESPONSE TO HAITIAN ELECTIONS BUDGET

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004105 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2015 TAGS: AORC EAID EFIN PGOV PREL FR HA UN SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO HAITIAN ELECTIONS BUDGET SHORTFALL DEMARCHE REF: STATE 101620 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, for reas ons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to MFA DAS-equivalent for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Gilles Bienvenu June 8. Bienvenu lamented the rising electoral costs and noted that poor choices had been made in the process. He indicated that while the EU would supplement its contribution, France would be unable to provide additional bilateral funds for the Haitian elections. Bienvenu added that a proposal would be forthcoming in Brussels to allow EU funds to go directly to the GOH. Reftel points have also been passed to the French USAID-equivalent, and any response will be reported septel. ¶2. (C) Bienvenu commented that MFA A/S for WHA-equivalent Daniel Parfait was in Port-au-Prince and would meet with A/S Noreiga during his visit. Bienvenu asked for further information regarding press reports that the USG was considering sending Marines to augment security forces during the elections. Poloff did not comment on unconfirmed press reports, but asked if the GOF was considering sending forces. Bienvenu confided that sending a contingent of French troops was under consideration, but that no decision had yet been made. He added that if French troops were sent, they might not be put officially under MINUSTAH command, according to Bienvenu. Nevertheless, he stated, they would have a UN Security Council mandate, and he insisted that additional forces from any country should have the same. Regarding the recent draw-down by the U.S. Embassy, Bienvenu understood the need to guarantee the safety of Embassy personnel, but lamented that the move added to the climate of insecurity. WOLFF