HAITI: NEPTUNE ANSWERS QUESTIONS BEFORE JUDGE IN

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001489 SIPDIS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD WHA ALSO FOR USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL HA SUBJECT: HAITI: NEPTUNE ANSWERS QUESTIONS BEFORE JUDGE IN ST. MARC REF: PAP 1460 ¶1. Former Haiti Prime Minister Yvon Neptune appeared before investigating judge Clunie Jules in St. Marc on May 25, four days after Neptune said he would cooperate with the investigation during a meeting with Ambassador Andrew Young (reftel). The former PM was escorted to St. Marc by MINUSTAH helicopter and accompanied by a heavy security presence. He cooperated with the proceedings and answered Judge Jules' questions during a closed door session for four hours and returned to the prison annex in Port-au-Prince at approximately 2:30 p.m. Former Interior Minister Joclerme Privert and former Lavalas government representative of St. Marc Amayus Mayette were questioned by Jules earlier in their week for their alleged role in the February 11, 2004 events in La Syrie, St. Marc. The judge's ruling on whether to release Neptune or to hold him over for trial is not expected until at least the week of May 30. ¶2. Comment: This is the first positive development in many weeks in the Neptune case, but we cannot predict how the judge will decide. Public pressure in St. Marc is still heavily against Neptune's release. End Comment. FOLEY