HAITI: PM ASKS WHA A/S FOR HELP ON SECURITY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001386

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR
S/CRS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS
TREASURY FOR JEFFERY LEVINE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EAID HA
SUBJECT: HAITI: PM ASKS WHA A/S FOR HELP ON SECURITY,
DEPORTEES AND HOPE

REF: A. PAP 1303

B. PAP 1360

Classified By: Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).


1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis told
Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon July 25 that the Donors'
Conference was a success and proves Haiti is ready to assert
its leadership and take back nation-building responsibilities
from the international community. Alexis said the government
plans to take action on the security situation in
Port-au-Prince. He sought additional help from MINUSTAH to
solve the recurring violence and asked Shannon if the U.S.
would be willing to discuss possible procedures to enable
criminal deportees to take part in a social reinsertion
program once they return to Haiti. Alexis discussed HOPE
with Shannon, highlighting its potential to create needed job
opportunities. Per usual, Alexis offered an organized
agenda and clear vision, though he lacked specifics, for the
USG role in Haiti's development. End Summary.


2. (U) Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis told Assistant
Secretary Thomas Shannon and Ambassador Janet Sanderson July

SIPDIS
25 that the Donors' Conference was a success. It proves
Haiti is ready to assert its leadership and take back
nation-building responsibilities from the international
community. Alexis said the new Haitian government is
committed to creating a secure environment in which people
can move freely and businesses can operate without fear of
instability and lack of security. He said the GOH still
needs the partnership of the U.S. and other international
donors.

PM Asserts Vague Leadership on Security
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3. (C) Alexis said the government plans to take action on
the security situation in Port-au-Prince. He cited the
appointment of two Secretaries of State, one for Justice and
one for Public Security (ref A). He disagreed with criticism
of his government for not publicly addressing the security
situation. "This is not the time to talk about the security
situation; this is a time for action." (Note: In the weeks
leading up the Donors, Conference, the GOH did not publicly
address the worsening security situation, and twice postponed
the press conference announcing the Donors' Conference,
possibly to avoid questions about security. During the
Conference, statements by both President Rene Preval and
Alexis focused on security in Port-au-Prince. End note.)


4. (C) Alexis said that the GOH needs to find solutions to
stem the rise in violence. To this end, the GOH is working
with MINUSTAH and other international partners. He suggested
that MINUSTAH would benefit from additional specialized
forces capable of addressing urban violence. The Prime
Minister said the violence is not politically motivated, but
originates primarily from poverty, misery and the drug trade.
Alexis asked the U.S. to provide technical assistance to
MINUSTAH and to assist with capacity building in Haiti. He
asked that donors address the problem of poverty outlined in
the GOH's Social Appeasement Program (PAS). Alexis also
promised, but did not offer specific explanations, that
Preval and he would focus on the security situation beginning
the day after the Donors' Conference. Shannon offered
continued U.S. support. He said that the criminals were
threatening a democratic government, and Haiti's economic and
social development. He urged Alexis to work with all sectors
of society to address the security situation and assured him
that the U.S. would continue to work closely with MINUSTAH.

Procedures for Criminal Deportees Need Review
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5. (C) Alexis asked Shannon and the Ambassador to review the
situation of criminal deportees, 120 of whom were scheduled
to arrive in Haiti next week. (Note: Per ref B, following a

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July 26 meeting at the Ministry of the Interior, Poloff
reports 50 deportees will arrive July 31. End note.) The
Ambassador reminded Alexis that there is a backlog of
Haitians to be returned. While Alexis did not endorse their
return, neither did he raise objections for the group
scheduled for repatriation within the week, despite ample
opportunity to do so during the meeting.


6. (C) Alexis asked the USG to reconsider procedures for
criminal deportees. He said he understands that the U.S.
cannot keep prisoners who have already served their time.
However, he suggested that while respecting both American and
Haitian law, the prisoners could be returned to Haiti before
they have served their entire sentence so that they can
finish their sentence in Haiti and then be reinserted into
society. Shannon agreed to further discussions about the
precise procedure for criminal deportees but stressed the
program needed to continue on schedule.

HOPE Offers Crucial Jobs
- - - - - - - - - -


7. (U) Alexis asked for assistance with HOPE, important for
job creation in Haiti. He underscored that the lack of jobs
only adds to criminality. Shannon told Alexis that trade
legislation remains politically sensitive in the U.S.
Congress, though recent passage of the Free Trade Agreement
with
Oman was an important step in the right direction.


8. (SBU) Comment: Alexis appeared organized and presented
his ideas succinctly. He had an agenda, almost a wish list,
for Haiti's near future. In contrast to the long-term vision
of President Preval, Alexis is more focused on finding
practical solutions to Haiti's immediate problems, even if
those plans lack specific details. End comment.


9. (U) A/S Shannon cleared on this message.
SANDERSON