HAITI ELECTIONS: OUR ROLE IN ENSURING SUCCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 003041

SIPDIS

FROM CHARGE TIM CARNEY FOR A/S TOM SHANNON
S/CRS FOR M. SCHIMPP
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2010
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HA
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: OUR ROLE IN ENSURING SUCCESS

REF: PAUP 3031

Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Timothy M. Carney for reasons 1.4(b).


1. (C) I want to highlight for you the most problematic
issues remaining to be resolved and outline how we can best
work through these issues. We updated the broader status of
critical tasks in reftel. In essence, at the time the
Haitians are getting their act together, the international
players are revealing critical weaknesses. CEP President
Mathurin and his advisors; CEP DG Jacques Bernard; and CEP
member Josefa Gauthier (protect),have separately approached
me and/or the DCM to voice serious concern about MINUSTAH/OAS
work on mechanics. Thoughtful "Council of Wise Persons"
member Christian Rousseau has just expressed public concern
about realizing the first round on January 8.


2. (C) Slow distribution of national ID cards by the OAS
continues to be the most serious concern, but nagging delays
in finalizing the locations of voting centers -- the extent
of which MINUSTAH had not previously informed the Core Group
-- is equally problematic. Because ID card distribution is
the mechanism by which the elections officials inform voters
where to vote, these two issues must be resolved together.
While elections could proceed without full distribution of ID
cards, elections officials must still finalize the locations
of voting centers in order to develop an alternative plan to
inform voters the location of their polling sites.


3. (C) These and likely, if unforseen, future problems can be
solved, but will require deft and careful engagement on our
part. The CEP, MINUSTAH, and the OAS all control vital
resources and have critical roles to play. Despite the
myriad of shortcomings and bad management in all three
institutions, it is simply impractical at this stage to
remove any of these institutions from the process. To do so
would create more delay. It is equally critical, however,
that the UN and the OAS immediately detail senior elections
experts to oversee final preparations. We must make
absolutely clear to both organizations that their staffs on
the ground, though working diligently, are not sufficiently
experienced, and that their institutional reputations are at
stake.


4. (C) Without provoking more finger-pointing or exerting
pressure that would simply generate empty assurances, the
U.S. must lead the Core Group in continuing to support CEP DG
Jacques Bernard's efforts to integrate resources and solve
problems. Specifically, we must convince the CEP and the
IGOH to establish the legal basis to allow registered voters
to vote without their IDs. At the same time, the CEP,
MINUSTAH, and the OAS must finalize the location of voting
sites and organize a campaign to inform registered voters
without ID cards where to vote. Finally, because ID card
distribution remains a critical barometer for the success of
the elections, and still the most effective way to steer
voters to their voting centers, we must ensure that OAS and
the CEP proceed with card distribution with all due urgency,
and that they integrate all available personnel from MINUSTAH
into the sorting and distribution process without regard to
bureaucratic responsibilities.


5. (C) As for the electoral budget, it is increasingly clear
that MINUSTAH does not have adequate technical capability on
the ground to produce an accurate accounting. The Canadians
told us on December 13 that they are hiring an accounting
firm to do weekly financial reviews, but not to audit. The
UN needs to immediately dispatch a team to audit the budget,
improve efficiency and establish priorities, and to limit the
budget shortfall to the maximum extent possible.


6. (C) Carlos Pascual will be able to advance our agenda
during his visit here December 19-20. Pending your own
visit, we also need to focus attention in New York and to
enlist IO and USUN in impressing upon UN officials the urgent
need for them to dedicate the best possible expertise
available in getting the MINUSTAH elections team on track.
CARNEY