Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTAUPRINCE194
2006-01-26 19:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Port Au Prince
Cable title:  

The Press on the Jean-Juste Case

Tags:  PGOV PHUM HA PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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R 261930Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2204
RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE
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

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.