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