SIMEUS URGES HAITIANS TO VOTE; NOT SUPPORTING ANY

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000253

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: SIMEUS URGES HAITIANS TO VOTE; NOT SUPPORTING ANY
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Timothy M. Carney for Reasons: 1.4 (b
and d)


1. (C) Summary: Charge met with disqualified AmCit
presidential candidate Dumarsais Simeus February 1. Simeus
said he would hold a press conference February 2 to encourage
people to vote. He further explained that he would not
publicly back any presidential candidate, but would fully
support the Tet Ansamn party in legislative elections.
Simeus underscored that he would serve a role in the next
Haitian government, but maintain his independence to be able
to voice his own opinion. Simeus believes Preval will be the
next president of Haiti. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Charge met with disqualified Tet Ansamn
presidential candidate (and AmCit) Dumarsais Simeus February

1. Dr. FNU Parisienne of New York; Center for Free
Enterprise and Democracy's (CLED) executive secretary Lionel
Delatour; and French Chamber of Commerce vice president
Gregory Brandt accompanied Simeus. Simeus arrived in country
January 30 after a retreat in Texas with his Haitian and
American campaign advisors regarding his next steps in the
Haitian elections.

Support for February 7 Elections
--------------


3. (SBU) Simeus told Charge he would hold a press
conference February 2 to read a short statement encouraging
people to vote. Simeus said there was "no need to rehash
what happened in the past" (referring to the judicial
decision in his favor) "or to bad mouth the international
community." He said his decision to support the elections
was based on guidance from his advisors (including Richard
Coles) as it was "not about any man, or party, but it's for
the country" and Haiti "must move from chapter one to chapter
two." Brandt added that this position would ensure Simeus
remained an "independent and free man" who will support the
newly elected government. Simeus noted he had agreed to SRSG
Valdes' request that he make a public statement following the
elections in support of the results. He said he would do so
"if the elections are acceptable," but could not "if there is
an outcry by all sectors."


4. (SBU) Parisienne raised a word of caution explaining
that pro-Lavalas radio stations in New York are strongly
encouraging the electorate to vote next Tuesday. Parisienne
ventured that former president Aristide's recent change in
message now supportive of the elections could lead to a
higher turnout. Brandt noted the same message is being
echoed in Port-au-Prince throughout the past week and Lavalas
candidates (namely West senate candidate Rudy Heriveaux) are
asking the populace to vote for a L'Espwa president and
Lavalas' candidates for parliament touting "Vote One, Vote
Three." (Note: L'Espwa is the first number of the ballot,
Lavalas the third. End Note.)

Not Supporting Any Presidential Candidate
--------------


5. (SBU) Simeus said that he had met with Preval earlier
February 1 to explain his decision not to publicly back any
candidate (they last met in December). (Note: Brandt said a
similar message was communicated to Manigat. End Note.)
Preval is confident of his chances in the presidential race,
having just completed a campaign swing through the North, but
"went out of his way to ask for (Simeus') support," according
to Simeus. Simeus said he has long been bombarded by various
candidates (extensively by Preval and Leslie Manigat) seeking
his support, but that he would not back any presidential
candidate due to the country's current "paralysis." He told
Charge that Preval would win in the first round if Simeus
publicly supported him. Simeus said he considers Charles
Henry Baker a "hardliner." Simeus later said that he further
did not want his support of another candidate to be
interpreted as some sort of "acquiesence to the interim
government." With respect to the legislative races, however,
Simeus would fully support the Tet Ansamn party.

Preval's First Moves Important
--------------



6. (C) Brandt opined that the first six months of the
transition would be key to the success of the newly elected
government. Delatour added that with interim Prime Minister
Latortue formally resigning next Tuesday, he would remain a
lame duck through the first weeks of a second Preval
presidency. He noted there was not a great deal of rapport
between the interim government and Preval's team. Delatour
pointed out that should Preval win in the first round, he
would have approximately seven weeks before inauguration.
Simeus' group recommended Preval visit major capitals prior
to inauguration, including Washington, D.C. and New York
(sic). Charge recommended adding Ottawa to the list.
Preval, receptive to the idea, insisted he would visit
Brasilia and Santiago. (Comment: It is unclear if Preval
made the recommendation out of respect to those countries'
contributions to MINUSTAH or because of their respective
presidents' socialist background. End Comment.) Delatour
stated that Preval "reached out and felt Simeus should be
present" when Preval travels to Washington. Simeus had also
met with SRSG Valdes February 1 who shared the World Bank
would be hosting a donors meeting February 21 and that either
Preval, or his advisors, should attend if elected in the
first round.

Stands Ready to Play Role in Assisting New Government
--------------


7. (SBU) Simeus underscored that he would serve a role in
the next Haitian government, but that he would maintain his
independence in order to be able to voice his own opinion
"without worrying about any party." Simeus said he would
concentrate on attracting foreign investment and be willing
to attend government meetings to provide advice, but that he
did not want to "become an employee of the newly elected
government." Simeus indicated he encouraged Preval to think
about what type of personnel would fill spots at key
ministries, and insisted Preval consider members of the
diaspora to play a significant role. Charge supported this
recommendation and further encouraged Simeus to provide
Preval's team with a profile to fill positions, rather than
putting individual names forward, with the exception that all
should support Mario Andresol to continue as head of the
Haitian National Police.

Constitution Reform Necessary
--------------


8. (SBU) Simeus wholeheartedly agreed with Charge's
suggestion that the newly elected parliament act as a
constituent assembly. Simeus advocated that "the Haitian
diaspora must be included" to avoid repeating the same
arguments in the 2011 presidential elections. Both agreed
amending the constitution in its current state would take too
long. (Note: currently, amendments must be ratified by two
sitting successive parliaments, necessitating at least a
decade to implement a change. End Note.) Brandt noted that
Preval was vague when the constitution was mentioned and
sidestepped any discussion of it.


9. (C) Comment: We are delighted to hear Simeus is fully
supportive of the electoral process and no longer arguing his
name should be on the presidential ballot. Simeus shared his
optimism for next week's elections and said he had "matured"
from his experience. His advisors convinced him that he
could play a powerful role in any future government, if he
"takes the higher road and steps aside for the good of Haiti"
(which Simeus oft-repeated). It is clear that he (and his
advisors) believes Preval will be the next president of
Haiti. End Comment.
CARNEY