Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PORTAUPRINCE3128
2005-12-28 14:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Au Prince
Cable title:  

UNDERSECRETARY BURN'S DECEMBER 20 VISIT TO HAITI

Tags:  PREL PGOV HA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 003128 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: UNDERSECRETARY BURN'S DECEMBER 20 VISIT TO HAITI


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Timothy M. Carney for Reasons: 1.4 (b
and d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 003128

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: UNDERSECRETARY BURN'S DECEMBER 20 VISIT TO HAITI


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Timothy M. Carney for Reasons: 1.4 (b
and d)


1. Summary: In Haiti December 20, Undersecretary of State
Burns encouraged the Interim Government of Haiti (IGOH) and
others to abide by the electoral calendar and conduct the
first round on January 8. The Provisional Electoral Council
(CEP) Director General noted the only way voters could know
where to vote would be to retrieve their national card or to
have their registration receipts annotated. The PM agreed to
wait one week to assess the OAS' progress in card
distribution before declaring a delay in the elections. In a
separate meeting, SRSG Valdes committed to support January 8
as the first round of elections, but explained the U.S. and
MINUSTAH would have to pressure the OAS to distribute more
cards. OAS Ambassador Denneth Modeste said he was "hopeful"
all the cards would be distributed and asserted the remaining
challenges include a lack of publicity and Haitians'
willingness to retrieve their national identification cards.
End Summary.

Morning Meeting with PM and CEP Leadership
--------------


2. (C) U/S Burns met with interim Prime Minister Gerard
Latortue and Director General of the CEP Jacques Bernard.
CEP President Max Mathurin later joined the meeting. The PM
discussed OAS Secretary Insulza's optimistic view that
elections could be held January 8 (Insulza was in Haiti
December 17-18 to attend a mass dedicated to national
dialogue). The PM explained that all entities responsible
for carrying out the elections: the IGOH, MINUSTAH, CEP and
OAS, met December 19. The OAS reaffirmed then it could
distribute all 3.5 million national identification cards by
the end of the year and all agreed to overcome the remaining
hurdles to conduct the elections on January 8 as planned.
CEP DG Bernard noted to U/S Burns that the only way voters
could know where to vote would be to retrieve their national
card or get their registration receipt annotated, essentially
the same process. MINUSTAH, DG Bernard, and CEP president
Mathurin believe the OAS would fail to accomplish this task
and this led, according to the PM, to SRSG Valdes'
recommendation to postpone the date until cards are

completely distributed. The PM concluded that assessing OAS
card distribution after another week is likely the best
course.


3. (C) U/S Burns countered that the IGOH had made
substantial progress to date in organizing the elections and
that it is important to stay the course to conduct them on
the scheduled dates. U/S Burns recommended Haitians be
allowed to use their registration receipts to vote and
encouraged continued cooperation between the parties
responsible for successful elections. U/S Burns noted that
Haiti's international reputation would be affected if
elections are postponed. U/S Burns agreed to the PM's
request to join a second meeting in the presence of MINUSTAH,
OAS, and the CEP DG.


4. (SBU) U/S Burns also raised the prolonged detentions of
former prime minister Yvon Neptune and of Father Jean-Juste,
urging a swift and impartial resolution to their cases. The
PM said that appeals bear on both cases, but Jean-Juste is to
be tried on misdemeanor charges, and the decision rests with
the judges. Pushed on when Jean-Juste's case could be
expected to be resolved, the PM replied "immediately after
January."

Meeting with Civil Society
--------------


5. (SBU) During a lunch with members of Haiti's civil
society, business community, and two non-governmental
organizations, U/S Burns heard views centering on elections,
the interim government, and security. Most underscored that
the next elected government would be another transitional
government, and characterized the IGOH as a failure. All
expressed a need for social cohesion via national dialogue.
Others cited the need for more investment towards job
creation. The participants were split on delaying the
elections, but all voiced concern that the level of
insecurity, particularly the increase in kidnappings, could
affect the elections. One demanded the U.S., MINUSTAH and
Haitian National Police (HNP) make a strong statement against
violence.

Meeting with SRSG Valdes
--------------


6. (C) U/S Burns and his delegation, joined by SOUTHCOM
General Craddock, met briefly with SRSG Valdes and MINUSTAH
elections coordinator Gerardo LeChevallier before meeting a
second time with the Prime Minister. U/S Burns offered his
condolences on that morning's death of a retired Canadian
police officer assisting with electoral security (septel).
Turning to elections, Valdes said the main challenge is
telling people where to vote, and said all other obstacles
could easily be overcome. Valdes committed to support
January 8 as the first round of elections, but explained the
U.S. and MINUSTAH would have to pressure the OAS to
distribute more cards.

Afternoon Meeting with PM, MINUSTAH, OAS, CEP, and HNP
-------------- --------------

7. (C) The PM opined that the largest obstacle to holding
elections January 8 is skepticism that it can be done. U/S
Burns, noting there is never going to be a perfect time to
have elections, reiterated the U.S. position that a
collective effort must be undertaken to see elections through
on January 8. U/S Burns called for a massive publicity
campaign to allow people to know where to vote. Gen.
Craddock noted that MINUSTAH's security planning is on track.
He said MINUSTAH has taken a reasoned approach to prepare
for elections and understood they face moderate risk. The PM
acknowledged HNP Director General Mario Andresol's presence,
and said security planning has been coordinated between
MINUSTAH UNPOL and the HNP.


8. (SBU) OAS Ambassador Denneth Modeste said 3.2 million
cards are in country and the remaining 300,000 would arrive
no later than December 24. Modeste said 380 distribution
sites are open and functioning and he was "hopeful" all the
cards would be distributed by the end of the year (Note: at a
December 22 Core Group meeting, the OAS representative said 1
million had been distributed to date. End Note.) Modeste
said the challenge remains a lack of publicity and Haitians'
willingness to retrieve their national identification cards
stating "thousands are waiting to be picked up." (Note:
MINUSTAH launched a public campaign, including radio and t.v.
spots, December 22. End Note.) The meeting concluded with
all sides agreeing to continue moving toward holding
elections on January 8.


9. (C) Comment: The IGOH and the Haitian press (see P's
web-site for transcript) received the P visit well. The
parties responsible for holding elections are working
together to accomplish as many tasks at hand to undertake
elections on January 8. While doubters remain amongst them
(notably LeChevallier),all are willing to wait one week to
see if the OAS succeeds, or fails, in distributing most of
the remaining 2 million cards during the holidays, before
publicly advocating a postponement. However, CEP President
Mathurin (who did not attend P's second meeting with the PM)
voiced his expectation on the radio December 22 that
elections could not be held by January 8. End comment.


10. (U) U/S Burns delegation included WHA A/S Shannon, S/CRS
Amb. Pascual, and P Special Assistant Cynthia Echeverria.
Charge and Poloff (notetaker) accompanied. SOUTHCOM Gen.
Craddock joined the delegation for the afternoon meetings
with MINUSTAH and the PM's electoral meeting.


11. (U) U/S Burns has cleared on this message.
CARNEY