PRO-PREVAL DEMONSTRATIONS COVER PORT-AU-PRINCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000312 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PKAO HA SUBJECT: PRO-PREVAL DEMONSTRATIONS COVER PORT-AU-PRINCE Classified By: Political Officer Jeffery A. Salaiz for Reasons:1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Preval supporters are staging demonstrations as small as 50 people and as large as 4000-5000 at the SONAPI Voting Tabulation Center. The demonstrators are chanting in support of Preval and are calling for the announcement of a first-round victory. Post is concerned that demonstrations could turn more hostile if the CEP announces final results with Preval below the 50% threshold necessary to avoid a run-off. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) As of 0530 protesters erected burning tires as barricades throughout the streets of the capital. One man was killed by the Haitian National Police (HNP) in Tabarre, near Toussaint Louverture airport. Demonstrators have blocked all roads to the airport, causing American Airlines to cancel all of today's flights. Ongoing demonstrations at the Provisional Electoral Council's (CEP) Delmas headquarters appear to be peaceful, except for several reports of rock throwing. MINUSTAH reportedly evacuated CEP staff from the location. ¶3. (C) Demonstrators are also currently concentrated outside of the Hotel Montana and are trying to force their way in. Canadian diplomats instructed their personnel lodged to go to the roof. USG temporary personnel are congregated in a single room as a precautionary measure. As of 1150, MINUSTAH personnel had arrived at the Hotel Montana to restore order. MINUSTAH's numbers were much larger at the hotel Sunday due to the Force Commander's presence. ¶4. (C) MINUSTAH has instructed its forces to stay in place and await further instructions. Proces verbaux that remain in the outlying provinces (at least 25 in Jeremie) are not being recovered by air assets due to the current security situation. MINUSTAH will be reinforcing their base and headquarters presence. The Chinese contingent is attempting to airlift their SWAT team to the tabulation center at SONAPI. ¶5. (U) Post has restricted all travel for employees from their current location until further instruction. CARNEY