LAVALAS PARTISANS PLAN PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001278 SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KHLS SMIG ASEC HA SUBJECT: LAVALAS PARTISANS PLAN PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS ¶1. This document is sensitive but unclassified - protect accordingly ¶2. (SBU) Summary. Lavalas parliamentarians say that they want to participate in the political process peacefully. Operation Pa Ka Tann and the demonstrations marking Aristide's birthday are meant to be peaceful demonstrations seeking solutions to legitimate problems. Lavalas moderates have remained in the political fray so that they can help their country move forward alongside the elected government. However, according to the parliamentarians, the Preval administration must begin to resolve the issues of political prisoners and unjustified dismissal from government employment in order to show signs of national conciliation. End Summary. ¶3. (U) Lavalas Deputy Francois Sorel described Operation Pa Ka Tann as a pacific movement whose goal was to encourage the government to begin its governance plan immediately, even if it means doing a partial program. &President Preval need not wait until all foreign aid has been donated. He should do what he can with what he has.8 In addition to seeking government action, Lavalas partisans are seeking a resolution to re-employment for those who are alleged to be wrongfully terminated. Lavalas Deputy Coffy Jonas explained that many partisans are frustrated because they did not understand that they were contractual employees. He has tried to explain to the unemployed Lavalas supporters that many cannot return to their former posts because their term is complete. However, he notes that some of these employees were unjustly dismissed and the Preval government should find an appropriate solution. ¶4. (SBU) The three Lavalas parliamentarians described this weekend's planned march celebrating Aristide,s birthday as a peaceful, sentimental demonstration that will have rah-rah bands (a traditional Haitian marching band with hand made instruments). They have met with participants and have urged a peaceful demonstration but admitted that militant members may take advantage of the demonstration. The three appeared frustrated at the implication that violence was likely. Senator Rudy Herivaux said that several Aristide loyalists (Lovinsky Pierre Antoine and Maryse Narcisse) had returned to Haiti well-funded and well-armed and were ready to pursue violent means to achieve their goals. But, the moderate members were trying intensely to mold the party into a political party that participates in a democratic government. ¶5. (U) Senator Herivaux, frustrated by the notion that Lavalas partisans want to create an insecure environment and unravel the political process, stated that the moderate members are trying to reshape Lavalas. He asserted that they had taken part in the electoral process as Lavalas candidates, which is evidence that they are part of a democratic Haiti, working with Preval despite his apparent aversion to the members. Deputy Francois continued, saying that the members were seeking a new headquarters as well as ways to recommence their social programs for women. He said that they have worked really hard to maintain the Lavalas party, despite a lot of pressure from international and domestic critics, and they do not intend to let it go in a day of violence. ¶6. (U) Senator Herivaux concluded the meeting with a discussion about political prisoners. He intends to raise the issue in the Senate and urged the USG to press the Preval administration on the matter. Herivaux believes that if the Preval administration would focus on political prisoners it would detract from the call to have Aristide return. &It will give patience to the impatient8 and demonstrate that Preval is serious about social appeasement. ¶7. (SBU) Comment. While Lavalas moderates continue to insist that their intentions are peaceful, we remain concerned by the potential for the protests to be hijacked by Lavalasiens with a more radical agenda. MINUSTAH plans to step up its patrols significantly over the weekend to prevent possible unrest. MINUSTAH SRSG Mulet met with Preval July 14 and is PORT AU PR 00001278 002 OF 002 scheduled to see him again the morning of July 15 to assess the situation. End Comment. SANDERSON