MINUSTAH BEGINS TARGET OPERATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 002459

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR
S/CRS
SOUTHCOMALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HA
SUBJECT: MINUSTAH BEGINS TARGET OPERATIONS

REF: PAP 2424

PORT AU PR 00002459 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Thomas C. Tighe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary: The United Nations Stabilization Mission in
Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Haitian National Police (HNP)
carried out a joint operation in Cite Soleil on the morning
of December 22, beginning at approximately 4 a.m. (ref A).
MINUSTAH,s A/Deputy Commissioner OPS Neil Warriner is
pleased by the political implications of the operation and
the dilution of gang leader Belony's strength. However, the
UNPOL SWAT and HNP SWAT were unable to arrest any suspects or
liberate any hostages. MINUSTAH sources report that the
three gang leaders Amaral, Belony, and Evans Jeune met on
December 24 to discuss MINUSTAH operations. The operation
may not have yielded the intended results, but was
significant in showing the public that the GoH and MINUSTAH
are taking preemptive action to battle insecurity and wipe
out the gangs. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Targeted operations against notorious Cite Soleil
gang leaders began in the early morning on December 22. The
purpose of this operation was to release kidnapping victims
held by gang leader Belony, destroy Belony,s base of
operations (his girlfriend,s home) and separate two sections
of the Cite Soleil slum, Bois Neuf and Drouillard, so that
bad elements from both sections could not unite against the
police.


3. (C) Warriner considers the December 22 operation
"politically successful" if not operationally fully complete.
According to Warriner, Belony,s brother and eight other
Belony loyalists were killed during the operation, with one
other gang member injured. MINUSTAH sources also indicate
that the &less loyal8 Belony gang members have abandoned
their compatriot, weakening Belony,s strength in Bois Neuf.
According Radio Metropole, 30 residents were wounded during
the confrontation. Warriner was unable to confirm this.


4. (C) The primary objectives and targets were not reached
because a number of large rocks that were placed along the
route Impasse Chavanne which leads to Belony,s home. The
Brazilian battalion removed the boulders shortly before the
operation began but the community replaced them within five
minutes. Warriner stated that there were six feet of rocks
on a seven-foot road when the Chinese Force Protection Unit
(FPU) arrived. In addition to the large rocks, members of
Belony,s gang built a large trench that made the road
impassable for an armored personnel carrier (APC). Warriner
complained that the military did not make Impasse Chavanne
passable, thus, the operation was jeopardized. The UNPOL
SWAT and HNP SWAT were unable to arrest any suspects or
liberate any hostage. (Note: Warriner also cited other
problems during the operation. The FPUs reported that green
uniformed persons were in the area and inquired if they were
Brazilian troops. The OPS officer falsely reported that no
troops were along Impasse Chavanne. FPUs then fired on the
Brazilian battalion. The incident is under investigation.
End Note.)


5. (C) During the operation, technical problems forced
MINUSTAH to abandon one APC. Inside the AP, were two Russian
machine guns that, in Warriner,s opinion, are "useable but
not useful" because they rely on electric current. Also in
the vehicle were a sniper rifle, 1400 rounds of ammunition,
and four percussion grenades. (Note: The APC was recovered
by MINUSTAH without the weaponry. At that time, a bandit who
was hidden inside with his own weapons was arrested. End
Note.)


6. (C) Currently, the eleven APCs remain on route 9 between
checkpoints 16 and 21, with no vehicle traffic permitted.
Motorcycle and bicycle traffic are further prohibited between
checkpoints 19 and 20, which encompasses Impasse Chavanne.
In addition to this limitation, all individuals that leave
are asked for identification and are told that they will not
be permitted to return. No one is allowed entry into the
Bois Neuf or Drouillard sections of Cite Soleil. Warriner
says that this is a way to protect the residents of the area.
They have started a &rumor campaign8 that those who do not

PORT AU PR 00002459 002.2 OF 002


want to be a part of the confrontation should leave the area.



7. (C) Warriner is concerned, however, that they have not put
enough pressure on Belony. He and other gang members
maintain movement along the canal, which borders the back of
the Bois Neuf section. MINUSTAH sources informed Warriner
that the three gang leaders Amaral, Belony, and Evans Jeune
met on December 24 to discuss MINUSTAH operations. Belony
was losing faith in gang leader Jeune but if MINUSTAH does
not put pressure on Belony, the two may be able to repair
their rift.


8. (C) Warriner has stated that MINUSTAH UNPOL will continue
its targeted operation against Belony and will then target
Amaral. SRSG Edmond Mulet would like an operation targeting
Amaral underway before school reopens and parliament
reconvenes on January 8.


9. (SBU) Comment: GoH and MINUSTAH have finally responded to
the public's cry for strong action against the gangs
responsible for the insecurity in Port-au-Prince. The
targeted operations are likely to maintain public support as
long as they continue to focus on notorious gang leaders and
avoid casualties of the innocent. End Comment.
TIGHE