Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PORTAUPRINCE2801
2005-11-10 19:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Au Prince
Cable title:  

HAITI ELECTIONS: LARGELY PEACEFUL PREVAL MARCH

Tags:  PREL PGOV HA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002801 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS
S/CRS FOR MICHELLE SCHIMPP
TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: LARGELY PEACEFUL PREVAL MARCH
MARRED BY HOOLIGANISM

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002801

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS
S/CRS FOR MICHELLE SCHIMPP
TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: LARGELY PEACEFUL PREVAL MARCH
MARRED BY HOOLIGANISM


1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- protect
accordingly.


2. (SBU) Summary: A November 3 march in support of
presidential candidate Rene Preval attracted a largely
peaceful, celebratory crowd of 3000. Throughout the march,
however, some participants reportedly vandalized property and
harassed or robbed by-standers. UN Police (UNPOL) arrested
one armed individual after a woman was wounded near Bel-Air.
UNPOL secured the march route in advance and responded
quickly and effectively to the disturbances. Nevertheless,
this was the first notable incidence of violence directly
related to a campaign event, and many of Preval's
presidential rivals vociferously denounced Preval's failure
to control his supporters. Preval's L'Espwa coalition on
November 7 released a simple public statement condemning the
violence. In light of the size of the march, the
neighborhoods involved, and UNPOL's timely intervention, post
does not view the incident as a serious indicator of campaign
instability. Preval's response is a disappointment, however,
and the reaction of the other candidates may stir more
general unease that impacts the campaign and participation in
the electoral process. Post will make this point to Preval
at the next opportunity. End Summary.


3. (SBU) Supporters of former President and current candidate
Rene Preval on November 3 organized a march that culminated
at the CEP. Marchers from various parts of Port-au-Prince,
mostly from poor neighborhoods, met at the Champs de Mars in
downtown Port-au-Prince and marched roughly two miles on a
route north and east along Route Delmas to the CEP
headquarters at Delmas 33. Polcouns observed a group of
roughly 150 festive and peaceful marchers as they passed by
the embassy, presumably coming from the Carrefour
neighborhood on the way to the Champs de Mars. UNPOL's
incident report states that armed gang members infiltrated
the marchers near the pro-Aristide neighborhood of Bel-Air
and opened fire, injuring a woman who was evacuated to a
local hospital. UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
military personnel immediately detained an armed suspect.
There were several reports that other marchers to harassed
individuals, vandalized cars and storefronts, and engaged in
petty thievery along the route.


4. (SBU) Other presidential candidates and political figures
took to the airwaves over the weekend of November 5-6
denouncing Preval and warning that more violence is yet to
come as his campaign begins in earnest. Emboffs heard a
variety of complaints in various settings over the weekend
against Preval, including accusations that he had received
orders from Aristide to re-ignite a campaign of public
disorder. In a November 4 conversation with Poloff, FUSION
president Victor Benoit called the march a "violent
demonstration" and said it was Preval's intention to
intimidate other candidates and "terrorize the electorate."
Preval's L'Espwa party belatedly released a one sentence
public statement November 7 condemning the criminality that
occurred. A senatorial candidate from the L'Espwa party told
Emboffs that "Lavalas infiltrated" the march to make Preval
appear as if he condoned violence.


5. (SBU) Comment: We are encouraged by UNPOL's immediate and
effective reaction to violence during this march through poor
areas of the city. L'Espwa had duly requested permission for
the rally and coordinated security with MINUSTAH. We do not
believe that Preval encouraged irresponsible behavior or
condones it. His reaction to the incident, however, was
tardy and insufficient, and his political opponents
predictably seized an opportunity to extract maximum
political advantage. Many Haitians believe Preval is prone
to violence and are willing to believe the worst accusations
against him. As a front runner, Preval must be forthright in
quickly and forcefully condemning any violence associated
with his campaign. Post will make this point to him at a
meeting next week. End Comment.
CARNEY