HAITI ELECTIONS: STATUS OF OBSERVER MISSIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 003109

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM HA
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: STATUS OF OBSERVER MISSIONS

REF: A. GEORGETOWN 1321


B. PORT LOUIS 748

C. GEORGETOWN 1318

D. USUN 2762

E. OSLO 1713


1. Summary: Three major international observers missions,
and a myriad of national and local observer groups are
gearing up for the January 8 elections. The U.S. sponsored
IFES mission will add 30 short term observers on January 3.
The Elections Canada sponsored team will put 150 observers in
the field, though they may face difficulties moving around
the countryside. The EU observation mission will add 40
observers to its group of 28 already on the ground. National
organization may field as many as 20,000 observers, though
preparations appear to be less settled. Political parties
are also attempting to organize partisan poll-watchers. The
CEP will have to bolster staff assigned to accreditation in
order to accommodate the large numbers of observers arriving
in early January. End Summary.

IFES Long Term Technical Observer Mission in Haiti
-------------- --------------


2. The IFES mission currently has 13 international staff on
the ground in Haiti with ten of those deployed throughout the
country. Five teams of two long-term observers (LTOs) are
located in Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien, Les Cayes, Hinche,
and Gonaives. IFES has recruited 30 short-term observers
(STOs) for election day coverage that are scheduled to arrive
in Port-au-Prince January 3. IFES and Election Canada's
International Mission for Monitoring Haitian Elections have
agreed to coordinate their efforts. Cooperation between
these two groups appears to be going smoothly in the field,
including in Port-au-Prince. IFES produces and shares
lengthy weekly reports that include information gathered from
its observers in the field. While the reports have included
few references to political intimidation, there has been
persistent information concerning the lack of appropriate
electoral preparations from throughout the country.

International Mission for Monitoring Haitian Elections
-------------- --------------


3. Elections Canada is sponsoring the International Mission
for Monitoring Haitian Elections (MIEEH). Team leaders for
the MIEEH have been on the ground in Haiti since July, and
teams of long-term observers (LTOs) have been deployed since
late September. MIEEH Secretariat Director told Poloff that
co-location of observation teams with MIEEH has been offered
to the International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF)
and to CARICOM. MIEEH's 150 Canadian short-term observers
are also scheduled to arrive on January 3.


4. MIEEH faces logistical difficulties, particularly
regarding vehicles. Prior to the December 12 protest against
visiting Dominican Republic president Fernandez, MIEEH had
been working with the Dominican Embassy to facilitate the
rental of vehicles in the Dominican Republic for use in
Haiti. The status of these discussions are currently on hold
pending clarification of Dominican involvement.

EU Observation Mission
--------------


5. The EU Observation Mission (EUOM) is led by European
parliamentarian Johan Van Hecke. The EUOM consists of a core
team of nine. An additional 19 observers recently arrived.
The EU's core team of experts includes the deputy chief
observer, and individual experts on elections, law,
country/political situation, media and press, as well as
operations and security. The EUOM is coordinating with the
other international missions, but unlike IFES and MIEEH, has
not concluded a formal agreement. An EU Commission diplomat
told Poloff that Brussels had instructed the mission to limit
contact with other observer missions to preserve its autonomy
and impartiality. Van Hecke was in Haiti December 11-15 and
plans to return to Port-au-Prince December 24. An additional
40 short-term EUOM observers are scheduled to arrive on
January 3. German and Norwegian participation (refs D and E)
will come under the auspices of the EUOM.

Other International Missions
--------------


6. In addition to former Mauritian PM Berenger's
participation (ref B) as head observer of the International
Organization of the Francophonie, the IOF has indicated that
it might field 20 election observers. Pending final
confirmation is the participation of six to twenty electoral
observers from CARICOM (refs A and C). The MIEEH has also
had preliminary contact with CARICOM.

National and Local Observation
--------------


7. The national and local electoral observation picture is
less settled. The National Council for Election Observation
(CNO) intends to dispatch between 8-10,000 observers. The
Justice and Peace Commission anticipates deploying 1000
observers from its national network. The National Democratic
Institute (NDI) has organized seven different civil society
groups into a formal national observation network (RON),of
which six groups are regional while one will provide national
coverage. The RON expects to deploy an additional 10,000
observers. Women in Democracy, affiliated with the
U.S.-based Vital Voices, will have 1000 members involved
throughout the country as observers.

CEP Preparations for Observers
--------------


8. Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) member Pauris
Jean-Baptiste hosted a meeting December 12 for international
and national observer groups to outline the governing
principles and accreditation procedures and distribute the
CEP's Electoral Observation Code. The Code is also available
on the CEP's website. Jean-Baptiste has a staff of three to
complete this task. The meeting was well-attended by both
international and domestic organizations.


9. Comment: We are encouraged that the three international
missions currently deployed in Haiti are communicating and
cooperating with each other, and that more missions are
expected. The example of vehicle availability is, however,
only one of the logistical issues that each observer mission
will face to one degree or another that could impact their
respective deployment plans; continued cooperation will
better allow them to improvise solutions. There are also
hopeful signs of cooperation among national and local
observation groups. An issue of concern remains with the
anticipated influx of over 200 international observers on
January 3. The CEP will have to bolster its staff of three
in order to ensure that it can promptly accredit all
observers scheduled to arrive only days ahead of the first
round of elections scheduled January 8. End Comment.
CARNEY