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

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM HA
SUBJECT: PM ELATED FOLLOWING MADRID CONFERENCE, BLAMES
DEPORTEES FOR INSECURITY

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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
"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

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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
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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
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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
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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

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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