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

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STATE FOR WHA/CAR
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SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
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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