PREVAL'S CAMPAIGN OFFICE BURNED IN ST. MARC

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000125 SIPDIS 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: 01/18/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PKAO HA SUBJECT: PREVAL'S CAMPAIGN OFFICE BURNED IN ST. MARC Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Jay T. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) According to Radio Metropole, unidentified individuals burned the campaign office of L,Espwa presidential candidate Rene Preval in St. Marc (lower-Artibonite) on January 18. The demonstrators also reportedly burned a vehicle and a large poster of Preval and placed flaming barricades and tires in the streets of Saint Marc. The perpetrators were protesting Preval,s visit to St. Marc planned for this coming weekend. ¶2. (U) A local L,Espwa representative blamed members of Ramicos, a political organization opposed to former President Aristide, who were dismayed by the announcement of Preval,s upcoming visit to the city. Protesters reportedly chanted that Preval and Aristide are responsible for the wave of violence covering the country, and further claimed that Preval supports and finances the bandits in Cite Soleil who are kidnapping and killing the "peaceful citizens" of Port-au-Prince. ¶3. (C) Comment: This is the first incidence of violence clearly directed toward a presidential candidate. St. Marc was a flashpoint of violence during the campaign to oust Aristide, and Ramicos has continued to agitate against former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune for his alleged role in the St. Marc violence. This incident reflects ongoing local political tension that until now not had a wider impact on the national security climate. It is a disturbing development in the context of the increasingly polarized presidential campaign. Preval told Polcouns on January 17 that he was embarking on a campaign swing that would encompass the entire north and northeast, but expressed grave fears about threats against him. End comment. CARNEY