JEAN-JUSTE REFUSES TREATMENT OFFER, NO CHANGE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 003150 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC HA SUBJECT: JEAN-JUSTE REFUSES TREATMENT OFFER, NO CHANGE IN CONDITION Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Timothy M. Carney for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Imprisoned priest Gerard Jean-Juste continues to refuse an offer by Haitian Prisons Director Marc Wilkens Jean to transfer him to Canape Vert hospital for treatment of his swollen lymph nodes. Emboff visited Jean-Juste at the Prison Annex in Pacot on December 29. Jean-Juste confirmed that Dr. Paul Farmer took a specimen from the lymph nodes under his left arm, leading to Farmer's public diagnosis of leukemia reported in the Miami Herald on December 29. Jean-Juste said he was awaiting further advice from Farmer, who is currently in Africa. Emboff urged Jean-Juste to accept the offer for treatment at Canape Vert and assured him that MINUSTAH would provide the necessary security; however, Jean-Juste stated that Canape Vert was the hospital of the elite and he would not be safe there. Jean-Juste feels his best chance for a trial and release is after the elections take place, and he was worried by the likelihood of continued postponements. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Emboff visited Gerard Jean-Juste on December 29 at the Prison Annex in the Pacot neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His neck remains swollen on both sides. Jean-Juste stated that his health was no worse but that he was hearing frightening talk from his doctors. He also said that the swelling around his neck occasionally impacts his hearing when it is particularly acute. He confirmed the December 29 Miami Herald report that Dr. Paul Farmer had taken a syringe sample from the lymph nodes under his left arm. Farmer reported to the Herald that Jean-Juste is suffering from leukemia, but that it is not yet in an advanced stage. On December 28, Farmer called Jean-Juste to tell him that his condition was serious but did not lay out any treatment options or further information. Jean-Juste was waiting to hear more from Dr. Farmer, who he called an old friend. ¶3. (C) Jean-Juste told Emboff that he would not seek treatment at Canape Vert hospital because his people advised him against it and feared for his safety there. He said Canape Vert was the hospital of the elite, and he could never be safe there. He said that his case was different from former Prime Minister Neptune and former Interior Minister Privert, both of whom had received treatment at Canape Vert while in prison custody, because they were unpopular in St. Marc, whereas Jean-Juste was a marked man by the Haitian elite in Port-au-Prince. When pressed on what would be the difference between MINUSTAH security at the hospital and the current arrangement with MINUSTAH security at the prison, he said simply that it was not the same thing. He said that Dr. Farmer is investigating treatment options somewhere "he would feel at ease", such as Miami or Boston, or possibly at one of his clinics in Haiti. Jean-Juste said he would feel safer at Dr. Farmer's clinic in Cange (a 12 hour drive from Port-au-Prince) than at Canape Vert hospital (less than two miles from his current location). ¶4. (C) Jean-Juste continues to blame members of the Interim Government for his imprisonment, particularly Presidential Chief of Staff Michel Brunache, Interim Minister of Culture and Communication Magalie Comeau Denis, and Secretary of State for the Environment Yves Andre Wainright. He also said he had learned from his lawyers of a contract taken out on his life at the time of his arrest in the amount of three million gourdes. ¶5. (C) On the subject of his criminal case, Jean-Juste was resigned. His legal advisors told him that the investigating judge would not rule until after the elections, and he was dismayed by the likelihood of additional postponements. He said that the investigating judge was in a very difficult position, particularly since the IGOH had made it clear that it would fire judges who ruled against them, referring to the recent Supreme Court dismissals. Jean-Juste has no problem being held over for trial, as he says there is no evidence against him. He said that it was in his interest and that of the other political prisoners (Note: Neptune and Privert) that the elections be held as quickly as possible. ¶6. (C) When asked if he had a candidate, Jean Juste replied, "not yet, closer to the elections." He said that the traditional politicians are aware that they cannot win, so they are trying to stretch the process out as long as possible. Emboff asked if he really thought the political class could wait out the international community, to which he responded, "Not the US and the UN, but maybe France and Canada." He said he hoped the elections would be held without violence, but he viewed the current political situation as similar to the violent, failed elections of ¶1987. He also expressed disappointment that none of the persons detained at the Pacot Annex were permitted to register to vote. ¶7. (C) COMMENT. Jean-Juste, one of the initial and most vehement detractors of the electoral process, now finds himself hoping for elections and, presumably, a Preval victory. His security concerns vis a vis Canape Vert hospital appear unfounded. However, on December 29, Prime Minister Latortue gave Charge a guarantee that any medical professional of Jean-Juste's choosing would be authorized to visit him and take part in any medical procedures/tests at Canape Vert hospital. END COMMENT. CARNEY