Haiti To Send Monitors to Bolivia if Funds

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002946

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND and WHA/USOAS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: Haiti To Send Monitors to Bolivia if Funds
Available

REF: STATE 214591


1. This is an action request, please see para 4.


2. After multiple attempts to reach interim Haitian
Minister of Interior (MOI) Paul Magloire to deliver points
in reftel, PolOff delivered demarche early November 30 to
MOI Director General Wilner Cadet. Cadet was non-committal
in his reply whether the Interim Government of Haiti (IGOH)
would be able to send observers to the December 18 elections
in Bolivia.


3. Minister Magloire telephoned PolOff late November 30 and
said the IGOH would indeed be interested in sending a
bilateral delegation, but would need funding to field such a
delegation (Note: Magloire did offer the IGOH would be
willing to fund a portion of the costs, but due to the
IGOH's own limited financial constraints, most of the
delegation would have to be funded from elsewhere).
Magloire said sending an observation mission would be "an
ideal opportunity for members of civil society and political
parties to gain experience" by traveling to Bolivia as Haiti
prepares for its own elections.


4. Comment and Action Request: Haiti's first round of
elections is scheduled January 8 and the independent
Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) is on a strict timeline
to ensure technical tasks are completed to avoid additional
delays. It is unlikely CEP members could afford the time to
travel to Bolivia. However, the non-government organization
National Council of Observers (CNO) is currently training
its own membership for the fast-approaching Haitian
elections and may benefit from the experience, as would
political parties and members of civil society the IGOH
would invite as part of its bilateral delegation. Please
advise if there is funding available (either from USG
sources, Bolivia's National Electoral Court or the OAS
mission on the ground) to assist the IGOH in fielding an
electoral observation mission to the December 18 elections
in Bolivia. Minister Magloire is traveling this weekend and
needs a response soonest. End Comment and Action Request.

KERST