PREVAL SPEAKS: CONTINUE PROTESTS, BUT DO SO

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000317

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2016
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV HA
SUBJECT: PREVAL SPEAKS: CONTINUE PROTESTS, BUT DO SO
PEACEFULLY


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Douglas M. Griffiths for Reasons
: 1.4 (b and d)


1. (SBU) Summary: Presidential candidate Rene Preval held a
press conference February 14. Preval insisted that his party
stands for peace. However, he said that the party is
convinced that massive fraud took place and that if results
are published in their current state, L'Espwa would legally
contest. He encouraged partisans to continue protesting, but
to respect the rights and property of others. It appears
that Preval's words have calmed his partisans. Roadblocks
along Delmas and Canape Vert are being removed. It is
unlikely that final results will be made public until
Preval's complaints are investigated, leading to further
delay and further frustration amongst the Haitian population.
End Summary.


2. (U) Haitian presidential front-runner Rene Preval
finally broke his silence February 14 and held a press
conference in Port-au-Prince, carried live on Haitian
National Television and radio. Preval's campaign manager Bob
Manuel accompanied him and provided intermittent Spanish and
English translation for Preval's remarks in French and
Creole. Preval offered condolences to those who may have
been injured or killed in the events of February 13. He said
that although his L'Espwa political party was verbally and
physically attacked in St. Marc, Gonaives and Ouanaminthe,
violence could not be answered with violence as the party's
message is one of reconciliation. Preval added that when "we
come to power, I will be a president for all Haitians."


3. (U) Preval applauded the Haitian people for displaying
their maturity, enthusiasm, discipline, patience and desire
to vote on February 7 remarking "citizens woke up at 2 a.m.,
walked for three to four hours, and waited up to six hours to
exercise their civic duty." Preval said that the will of the
Haitian population was shown in the early results the
international press reported as well as "NDI's slow count
showing L'Espwa had won." Preval said that as his lead fell
incrementally "day by day, hour by hour without any
explanation" and "contrary to the international results," it
caused L'Espwa and the population to become angry.

Current Results to be Contested
--------------


4. (SBU) Preval compared L'Espwa's campaign to the will of
the Haitian people. He said that the party and the
population are convinced that massive fraud took place and
there were "gross errors" in the vote tabulation. Preval
said he demanded an explanation in a meeting held February 13
at the National Palace with interim President Alexandre,
Prime Minister Latortue, Interior Minister Magloire, Chief of
Cabinet Brunache, Justice Minister Dorleans, Director General
of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) Bernard, CEP
President Mathurin and two other CEP members, UNDP's Guindo,
SRSG Valdes, the ambassadors of Canada, France, Chile and
Brazil, and the American Charge. Preval said Alexandre and
Latortue expressed the need to hold a free, fair and
transparent election that respected the will of the Haitian
people, but they were concerned about the situation in the
streets. He shared their concern. Preval, however,
underscored that if results are published in their current
state (note: with him having less than the fifty percent plus
one vote to avoid a run-off. end note.),then L'Espwa would
legally contest. He stressed, "If we contest, the Haitian
people will contest." Preval said he would wait until after
analyzing the vote count, but that L'Espwa did not agree with
the results and offered to those present serious arguments to
voice their doubts.

Protest Intelligently and Respect Others
--------------


5. (U) Preval said that in consultation with the CEP and
MINUSTAH authorities, he would speak with the Haitian people.
Switching to Haitian Creole, Preval told the cameras, "This
is not my battle. It is the battle of the Haitian people.
Haitians are frustrated." He then asked that partisans
respect private property, order (freedom for traffic to
circulate),and the rights of others. He said no one had the

right to block the roads. Preval added that if people could
not get to work, if industry was halted, if students could
not go to school, then L'Espwa would become isolated and lose
the support and sympathy of the international community. He
repeated this same message three times. Preval said,
however, that he was not trying to discourage partisans from
continuing their protest; rather, he urged that they do so
"intelligently," peacefully while respecting the rights of
others. Preval also warned partisans to remain vigilant
against "professional provocateurs who want to paint L'Espwa
as the violent party." Preval said the population must
create a political force to carry him to a final victory.
Preval shared that he had discussed the situation with UNSYG
Annan late on February 13.


6. (SBU) Preval took no questions and only made vague
reference to the idea of a commission that could investigate
the final results of the February 7 presidential election.
CEP President Mathurin told Poloff February 14 that CEP
members Duchemin and Pradel would sit on this commission that
included IGOH members and L'Espwa representatives, but that
it was unclear to Mathurin what if anything it is to do.
Preval has not yet accepted the idea of such a commission.
Separately, MINUSTAH officials report that the 20 employees
who showed up to continue vote tabulation at SONAPI were sent
home and there is no activity taking place.


7. (C) Comment: There are already signs that the
population took heed of Preval's words calling for respect of
public order. Unfortunately, Preval's ardent contestation of
the results and his insistence on the right to protest appear
to be sending mixed signals. Final presidential results have
not yet been determined and it is unlikely any will be made
public until statistical questions are addressed. Presumed
second-place finisher Lesly Manigat indicated to the Canadian
Ambassador and other interlocutors February 12-13 that he
fully intends to pursue a run-off March 19. Finally, as
stories circulating about IRI's role in the resignation of
Aristide have dissipated, Preval's references to NDI's
"international results" showing a first-round Preval victory
may instigate deeper inspection into the role of NED's
partners trying to advance democracy in Haiti. NDI is
reportedly meeting with Preval February 14 to explain that
their count did not include blank or spoiled ballots and that
all candidates' votes would be reduced proportionally. NDI
told DCM that its local partner will issue a press release
describing the count and its methodology. End comment.
CARNEY