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