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