Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTAUPRINCE2385
2006-12-15 17:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Au Prince
Cable title:
PREVAL TELLS MINUSTAH TO TARGET THE GANGS
how-toVZCZCXRO6567 OO RUEHQU DE RUEHPU #2385 3491702 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151702Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4889 INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 1329 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1165 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL RUCOWCV/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//OLE/OI//
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 002385
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR
DRL
S/CRS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
TREASURY FOR JEFFREY LEVINE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS MARR ASEC KCRM HA BR
SUBJECT: PREVAL TELLS MINUSTAH TO TARGET THE GANGS
Classified By: Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas C. Tighe fo
r reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 002385
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR
DRL
S/CRS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
TREASURY FOR JEFFREY LEVINE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS MARR ASEC KCRM HA BR
SUBJECT: PREVAL TELLS MINUSTAH TO TARGET THE GANGS
Classified By: Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas C. Tighe fo
r reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) President Preval on December 15 directed SRSG Mulet to
have MINUSTAH forces conduct targeted operations against
known leaders in Cite Soleil and other Port-au-Prince slums,
according to MINUSTAH political staff. Senior MINUSTAH
civilian staff present at a birthday party for Mulet's chief
of staff on the evening of December 15 told Polcouns they
were eager to carry out Preval's directive and finally begin
to attack the roots of insecurity. Many expressed concern,
however, that with MINUSTAH force commander General Jose
Elito ending his tour in January, he did not have the will to
mount potentially dangerous operations. MINUSTAH's political
chief told Polcouns, "Elito knows his flight number and his
seat assignment. Until he gets on the plane, he doesn't want
to see a scratch on a Brazilian soldier." Mulet told
MINUSTAH's deputy political chief, however, that Brazilian
Ambassador to Haiti Paulo Pinto had given a stern lecture to
Elito regarding the necessity for decisive action, and that
Elito had come into line. MINUSTAH staff reported on
December 16 that there was much more optimistic mood in their
headquarters regarding their military colleagues.
2. (C) Comment. Even with everyone's full commitment,
taking into account time needed for planning and
coordination, it may take MINUSTAH several days or even weeks
to take action. Nevertheless, with the GoH and MINUSTAH on
the defensive over security policy, public anxiety peaking
because of kidnappings of children and the prospect of a
disrupted holiday season, and President Preval knowing his
return to Cuba for medical treatment will heighten
uncertainty over his government's performance, the situation
seems to be moving inexorably toward some kind of showdown
with the criminal gangs.
SANDERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR
DRL
S/CRS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
TREASURY FOR JEFFREY LEVINE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS MARR ASEC KCRM HA BR
SUBJECT: PREVAL TELLS MINUSTAH TO TARGET THE GANGS
Classified By: Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas C. Tighe fo
r reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) President Preval on December 15 directed SRSG Mulet to
have MINUSTAH forces conduct targeted operations against
known leaders in Cite Soleil and other Port-au-Prince slums,
according to MINUSTAH political staff. Senior MINUSTAH
civilian staff present at a birthday party for Mulet's chief
of staff on the evening of December 15 told Polcouns they
were eager to carry out Preval's directive and finally begin
to attack the roots of insecurity. Many expressed concern,
however, that with MINUSTAH force commander General Jose
Elito ending his tour in January, he did not have the will to
mount potentially dangerous operations. MINUSTAH's political
chief told Polcouns, "Elito knows his flight number and his
seat assignment. Until he gets on the plane, he doesn't want
to see a scratch on a Brazilian soldier." Mulet told
MINUSTAH's deputy political chief, however, that Brazilian
Ambassador to Haiti Paulo Pinto had given a stern lecture to
Elito regarding the necessity for decisive action, and that
Elito had come into line. MINUSTAH staff reported on
December 16 that there was much more optimistic mood in their
headquarters regarding their military colleagues.
2. (C) Comment. Even with everyone's full commitment,
taking into account time needed for planning and
coordination, it may take MINUSTAH several days or even weeks
to take action. Nevertheless, with the GoH and MINUSTAH on
the defensive over security policy, public anxiety peaking
because of kidnappings of children and the prospect of a
disrupted holiday season, and President Preval knowing his
return to Cuba for medical treatment will heighten
uncertainty over his government's performance, the situation
seems to be moving inexorably toward some kind of showdown
with the criminal gangs.
SANDERSON