CONSOLIDATING SUPPORT FOR HAITIAN ELECTIONS

UNCLAS QUITO 000401 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL HA XL EC UNSC SUBJECT: CONSOLIDATING SUPPORT FOR HAITIAN ELECTIONS REF: SECSTATE 25232 ¶1. On February 15, PolOffs delivered a non paper on consolidating support for Haitian elections (Reftel) to Paulo Moreno, the head of the MFA's UN Affairs office, as well as to MFA Human Rights Director General Julio Prado. On February 17, Moreno told PolOff that the GOE considers promoting stability and democracy in Haiti a high priority. They are working multilaterally through the UN and MINUSTAH to this effect. The GOE feels that by contributing troops to MINUSTAH, they are increasing security in Haiti which is conducive to democratic stability in the hemisphere. Moreno said that the GOE may also send election observers to Haiti under the OAS. ¶2. The Ambassador raised the GOE's MINUSTAH troop contribution at her February 16 meeting with Ecuador's Joint Forces Chief Victor Rosero and other Armed Forces chiefs. The GOE officials responded that Ecuador would be rotating another group of approximately 64 engineers into Haiti in May, replacing the current contingent for another six-month deployment. Chacon