PREVAL TELLS MINUSTAH TO TARGET THE GANGS

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