The Press on the Jean-Juste Case

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000194 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PRELHA SUBJECT: The Press on the Jean-Juste Case ¶1. Several recent radio reports have drawn attention to the evolving judicial case against Gerald Jean-Juste. The Prime Minister recently weighed in to deny reports that Caricom had refused to observe Haitian elections until all political prisoners were released. The following is an informal translation of a skeptical if not sarcastic report on Radio Metropole that closes with the line: "If, for a Christian, the best means of defense are the Bible and his unshakeable faith, for the Priest of Petite Place Cazeau, there was nothing better to protect his soul than well-armed guardian angels." ¶2. Begin embassy translation of January 23 Radio Metropole report: Reporter: The Gerard Jean Juste case out of his hands, Judge Prez Paul no longer remembers anything. Judge Perez Paul: "I have already issued a report and I am now out of the process. I do not know anything more than that. I no longer remember the contents of the report; I am completely off the case." Reporter: The judge no longer remembers anything, and you tire of asking him about the contents of his report, because his answer is the same. Judge Perez Paul: "Honestly, I no longer remember the contents (of the report). Yes, I was on the case. I am now out of the process. I am completely out of the process. I remember nothing about the file". Reporter: There is no new information from the Investigating Judge -- (asking him questions) it is a waste of time. But, near the Investigating Judge's Office, all is clear with respect to his reports. Regarding the charge against the accused priest of plotting against state security, the charge is dismissed. Same (dismissal) with respect to blame for the assassination of the journalist and poet Jacques Roche. Gerard Jean Juste had nothing to do with these matters. Moreover, the presumed authors and accomplices are in jail for the moment. Now, the Lavalas priest Gerard Jean Juste seems to be in trouble for kidnapping. The religious man who presented himself to the Investigating Judge's Office as the former spiritual adviser to former President Jean Bertrand Aristide categorically refused to reveal the identity of five of his security agents, each one of whom possesses a weapon belonging to the National Palace. This allowed the Investigating Judge to conclude in his second report that there are legitimate suspicions against the priest with respect to kidnapping: considering his refusal to return the weapons and reveal the identity of the users (of these weapons),(and considering his) taking under his responsibility these materials considered dangerous to the stability of the country. If, for a Christian, the best means of defense are the Bible and his unshakeable faith, for the Priest of Petite Place Cazeau, there was nothing better to protect his soul than well-armed guardian angels.