HAITI ELECTIONS: SECURITY PLAN READY

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000211

SIPDIS

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: DECL: 01/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC MARR PKAO HA
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: SECURITY PLAN READY


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Douglas M. Griffiths for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Election Day security plans remain on track,
according to MINUSTAH's Chief of Elections Security and
Planning, Neil Warriner. Despite rumors to the contrary,
MINUSTAH UNPol and the Haitian National Police (HNP) will
jointly patrol all voting centers, including those in Cite
Soleil. Warriner on January 25 told poloff, "there will be
no HNP without UNPol and no UNPol without HNP." Security
planners will cover a small number of sites that serve
limited numbers of voters with forces that will have a 30
minute response time. Warriner admitted that Cite Soleil
remains a concern, both because of ongoing tension and the
capacity of the Jordanian contingent.


2. (C) Warriner said the rumors regarding Cite Soleil sites
stemmed from Jordanian objections to working in the heart of
Cite Soleil. With voting centers moved to the periphery, the
Jordanians had agreed to plans for joint patrols with the
HNP. Warriner admitted that as long as the Jordanians were
on the ground in Cite Soleil, MINUSTAH's capacity remained
limited. MINUSTAH hoped to rotate the Jordanians after the
first round of elections and replace them in Cite Soleil with
a "South American triumvirate," of Brazilians, Argentines,
and Chileans. Poor performance aside, the Jordanian
contingent had served in Cite Soleil for over one year; it
was time to move them to a quieter location.


3. (C) Warriner admitted to extreme frustration in having to
alter arrangements for last minute changes in voting centers
and related transport of election materials. Asked about
cooperation between MINUSTAH and the HNP, Warriner responded
that it would be "strong on election day and election day
only."


4. (C) Comment. Since beginning detailed planning months
ago, Warriner has been optimistic about election-day
security, even while criticizing other aspects of MINUSTAH
performance. MINUSTAH officials across the board recognize
that Cite Soleil is their primary challenge and continue to
focus efforts to improve the security atmosphere there in
advance of February 7. While we do expect isolated instances
of violence, we believe that the overall relative calm that
predominates throughout the country, combined with the
concentrated show-of-force MINUSTAH plans for election day,
will provide a security atmosphere sufficient for a
successful first round on February 7. End Comment.
CARNEY