PM ELATED FOLLOWING MADRID CONFERENCE, BLAMES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PORT AU PRINCE 002341 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 TO OAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM HA SUBJECT: PM ELATED FOLLOWING MADRID CONFERENCE, BLAMES DEPORTEES FOR INSECURITY PORT AU PR 00002341 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Charge d'affaires Thomas C. Tighe for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis met with WHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Patrick Duddy, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and the Ambassador December 3 for a cheerful meeting after returning from the donors, conference in Madrid. PM Alexis stressed the importance of the Social Appeasement Program (French acronym, PAS) as a necessity for moving forward, and was pleased that the USG had announced the availability of USD 80 million committed to creating jobs, which will kick start his "jobs program." PM stressed his "carrot and stick" approach -- with particular emphasis on the carrot -- toward gang-controlled neighborhoods. DAS Duddy agreed that the poorer neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince need basic services, but urged the GoH to enhance its commitment to security. The PM addressed the insecurity in Port-au-Prince, which he claims is exacerbated by criminal deportees from the U.S. DAS Duddy put forward to PM Alexis that the issue of deportees could be a distraction and suggested it would be better addressed in private conversations. Congresswoman Schakowsky shared her views on the likelihood for the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement act (HOPE) trade legislation to pass in the new congress. All expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the local and municipal elections, which were taking place on the same day. End Summary. Great News from Madrid but Haitians need the Social Appeasement Program - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) The PM was elated from the donors, conference in Madrid. He stressed that it was important for the GoH to push for "fast track disbursements to do things that can not wait." Given the extreme poverty it is essential and urgent to implement the PAS because if not, the population will lose faith in democracy. The Ambassador confirmed the availability of USD 80 million for employment creation, which the PM and Ambassador will announce jointly at a December 14 press conference. The PM said this will help kick-start his �A;"jobs program." The PM also shared the good news that the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and InterAmerican Development Bank had certified the country for good governance, clearing the path for substantial debt relief. The GoH was pleased that the international community had sustained its interest in Haiti. U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs is working with the GoH on preparing documents to help Haiti negotiate with its international partners in the future, the PM told the group. ¶3. (SBU) The PM said the recent increase in violence proves the need in Haiti for programs put forward by the PAS. (Note: The GoH envisions the PAS will create a more favorable environment for development by giving the population access to basic services, re-launching production, and creating employment for non-specialized workers. The PAS has funds dedicated to each of Haiti's 572 counties, and also provides compensation for workers who lost their jobs following the departure of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide in 2004. End note.) "In the last two weeks the situation has deteriorated, partially because we have not yet implemented the PAS. It does not mean we have done nothing, but we do not have the resources to make a difference." Referring to the fundamental objective of the PAS, he said, "We must close some doors to avoid the situation from getting worse." ¶4. (SBU) The PM suggested that the "carrot and stick" is the best approach for Haiti. If the GoH does not show the population benefits, the gangs will continue to control certain neighborhoods by disbursing their spoils. DAS Duddy said he understood the importance of immediate benefits for the population, particularly in the poorer neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince and in rural areas. However, DAS Duddy encouraged the PM to strengthen his commitment to security in Port-au-Prince. DAS Duddy also said that insecurity is a problem that must be tackled through joint-coordination of PORT AU PR 00002341 002.2 OF 003 the Haitian government, the Haitian National Police (HNP), the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), the international community and NGOs currently providing services to poor neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. The PM agreed and said he did not think this problem is beyond GoH capacity, but thinks they must move more quickly on both approaches. Insecurity Caused by Deportees - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (C) PM Alexis blamed deportees from the U.S. for the recent spike in violence over the past two weeks. He noted that the U.S. hoped to send as many as 100 deportees per month when the GoH could not even manage 25, he complained. The PM warned that the U.S. is sending mixed signals to Haitians: claiming it wants to help, but simultaneously sending deportees that add to the problem of insecurity. ¶6. (C) DAS Duddy sympathized with the PM on the uptick in kidnappings, but asked that the PM view the questionable role of deportees as part of a larger security problem in Port-au-Prince. He emphasized the importance of holding private conversations between the USG and GoH to discuss the issue of deportees in Haiti and evidence of involvement in specific crimes. The PM acknowledged DAS Duddy's request, and said he would do what he could. However, he said he must answer to his population, which is convinced that the deportees represent a grave security threat. The parliament will call him into session next week and he must respond honestly to their questions about insecurity, including the role of criminal deportees. Often, PM Alexis added, victims report their captors to be deportees, statements over which he has no control. DAS Duddy cautioned that focusing on the deportee issue could create a distraction from the larger security challenge. He asked for specific information linking deportees from the U.S. to recent crimes in Haiti. The PM said that he would try to provide such information following his session with parliament next week. (Note: Alexis has been convoked by parliament in his capacity as head of the committee of public security. Parliamentarians are allegedly angry over the GoH's continued policy of talking to gangs, a policy Alexis has endorsed publicly, most recently last week. End note.) ¶7. (C) The PM offered some specifics from a recent kidnapping of former finance minister Fred Joseph on November ¶29. Joseph told the PM that he was kidnapped by English-speaking captors who were smoking marijuana. The captors were very well organized and every night at 2000 or 2100 the lights would go out and they would kidnap their next victim(s). There is a strict hierarchy within the kidnapping mechanism: the "mafia," the most violent individuals who are recruited by the mafia, and the logistics personnel, according to Joseph. HOPE Stands a Chance in 2007 - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. (SBU) Congresswoman Schakowsky assured PM Alexis that the recent elections in the U.S. will result in a stronger partnership between the U.S. and Haiti. Haiti has many supporters in the new congress, who will rise to positions of power beginning in 2007. Unfortunately, she said, HOPE will most likely not pass before Congress goes into recess this year, but the bill has a strong chance next year, particularly if it is proposed as a stand-alone. Local Elections - - - - - - - - - - ¶9. (U) The meeting ended with an upbeat conversation on the completion of the entire elections cycle. The PM declared that the local elections were as important as the presidential and legislative elections that took place earlier this year. The Ambassador agreed and congratulated Alexis and his government. DAS Duddy ended the meeting with a positive assessment of Haiti's progress, which he said is PORT AU PR 00002341 003.2 OF 003 further along every time he visits. ¶10. (C) Comment: Even the controversy over deportees from the U.S. could not depress the mood of the Prime Minister, who was elated following the conference in Madrid. He sensed that he has the continued support of the international community, and the U.S., and was pleased to offer his high-level visitors concrete evidence of Haiti's advancement while advocating for the PAS. End Comment. ¶11. (U) Congresswoman Schakowsky's office has not cleared on this cable. TIGHE