LAVALAS PARTISANS PLAN PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001278

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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