HAITI: JEAN-JUSTE CALLS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELEASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 003060 SIPDIS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD WHA ALSO FOR USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL HA SUBJECT: HAITI: JEAN-JUSTE CALLS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELEASE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS REF: A. A. PAP 3043 ¶B. B. PAP 2916 Classified By: CDA TIMOTHY M. CARNEY, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Summary: Despite a frantic action alert campaign launched by supporters of Gerard Jean-Juste suggesting he has leukemia, he appeared strong and in good health during a visit by poloff on December 12. The recently suspended priest is requesting that the IGOH release him on medical grounds so that he can receive further medical tests and possible treatment in the U.S. Concerning his legal case, the investigating judge has completed his report, but it is unlikely that the report will be issued this week due to the judge's strike in protest of the forced retirement of the members of the Supreme Court (reftel A). Preliminary reports suggest that the judge has decided that Jean-Juste will remain in prison and be made to stand trial on state property charges (weapons) and for the murder of journalist Jacques Roches. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Poloff paid a visit to Father Gerard Jean-Juste at the Pacot Prison Annex on December 12. Jean-Juste appeared to be in good health and displayed no noticeable decline in health since poloff's last visit on November 22 (reftel B). A medical report circulating on the Internet is an analysis of medical tests results written by Dr. Carroll, a physician who has worked with Jean-Juste at St. Claire's church for many years. The National Penitentiary physician Dr. Ely conducted medical tests after poloff intervened on Jean-Juste's behalf. Dr. Ely's report said the test results were inconclusive and called for hospitalization for a series of medical tests including a biopsy of a swollen lymph node. ¶3. (C) Prisons Director Marc Wilkens Jean released the test results to Jean-Juste and offered, in writing, to transfer him to a local hospital to conduct the testing. Jean has arranged authorization from the Finance Ministry to pay for the tests. Jean said it is up to Jean-Juste to agree to the hospitalization and testing. Jean-Juste told poloff that he has yet to reply to the letter because neither his family, friends, nor supporters, want him to undergo testing in Haiti out of fear for his life. He asked for the embassy's intervention to the IGOH on his behalf to grant him a medical release so that he can seek further testing and treatment in the U.S. Poloff urged him, on numerous occasions throughout their 30-minute meeting, to accept the offer of further testing from the Haitian authorities rather than place his health in jeopardy while waiting for the IGOH to grant his request. He stated that he must "submit to the will of the people" and refrain from additional testing in Haiti. ¶4. (U) The state prosecutor for Port-au-Prince has completed his review of the investigating judge's report and planned on releasing the report at some point during the week of December 12. Due to the judicial strike, however, the prosecutor will not release the report until the week of December 19 or possibly later, depending on the resolution of the Supreme Court issue. Although the conclusions of these reports are confidential, early reports suggest that the judge has recommended that Jean-Juste stand trial for confiscation of state property (weapons) and the murder of journalist Jacques Roches. Jean-Juste's lawyers will likely appeal these recommendations. ¶5. (C) Comment: Jean-Juste's refusal to submit to further testing and treatment in Haiti appears to be an attempt to lay the blame on the IGOH should his condition worsen. As he will likely remain in prison for some time before his trial date is scheduled, and since the IGOH will is unlikely to grant his medical release request, we will continue to encourage him to seek testing and treatment in Haiti. End Comment. CARNEY