REACTION TO PREVAL'S FIRST-ROUND VICTORY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000337

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PKAO HA
SUBJECT: REACTION TO PREVAL'S FIRST-ROUND VICTORY


1. Summary: Political and civil society leaders have
largely resigned themselves to the CEP's decision to declare
Rene Preval's victory with 51.15 percent of the vote in the
first round of voting. Leslie Manigat declared the decision
a "coup d 'etat," but said that he would do nothing against
the decision. Charles Henri Baker said the decision was
invalid. Although they did not agree with the decision,
Serge Gilles and Evans Paul both recognized Preval as the
president-elect. Civil Society leaders have expressed
concern over the way the CEP reached its decision and there
were complaints over international pressure. CEP treasurer
Francois Benoit was the only member of the CEP not to sign
the resolution, citing the departure from the "letter of the
law." Demonstrations in Port-au-Prince transformed into
celebration upon the February 15/16 announcement, while the
provinces remain calm. End summary.

Presidential Candidates Concede
--------------


2. Preval's first-round victory has elicited criticism but
ultimate resignation from politicians and civil society
leaders in Port-au-Prince. Leslie Manigat, in second place
with just under 12 percent of the vote, has called the action
a "coup d'etat" demanding his right to a run-off but adding
that he would do nothing against the "illegal decision." He
said, "The right to presidential runoffs was and is still
registered in the facts as well as in the principles...we are
sorry that we cannot do anything against this fait accompli."
Third place candidate Charles Henri Baker called the
decision invalid and said he was shocked that the CEP did not
respect the electoral decree. FUSION candidate Serge Gilles
said he didn't agree with the CEP's decision, but wished the
president-elect well. ALYANS candidate Evans Paul also
disagreed with the CEP's decision to name Preval the winner,
but acknowledged the president-elect's overwhelming
popularity.

Civil Society Split
--------------


3. Civil Society leaders also expressed reservations but
acceptance about Preval's first-round victory. Andy Apaid
told a Haitian contact that, "He (Preval) was not my choice,
but he was going to win." Civil Society Initiative Group
leader Rosny Desroches acknowledged that Preval "has massive
popular support" but said that the decision was made "without
transparency." The Lawyer's Committee for the Respect and
Individual Liberty (CARLI) saluted Peval's victory. The
group expressed satisfaction with the decision that respected
the people's clear choice.

CEP Minus One
--------------


5. All of the members of the CEP signed the resolution
affirming Preval as the victor except for CEP treasurer
Francois Benoit. He was quoted in the press as saying,
"Although I knew Preval had an irreversible lead, I thought
that this was the time for us to adhere to the spirit and the
letter of the law without any consideration for external
pressure."

Situation in the Provinces
--------------


6. While massive Pro-Preval demonstrations swept across
Port-au-Prince, the situation in the provinces was relatively
quiet. According to provincial contacts, all was calm in Les
Cayes and Cap Haitien. Pro-Preval demonstrators staged minor
protests in Jeremie before the CEP declared Preval the
winner. Radio Caraibes said in Jacmel L'ESPWA partisans held
celebrations in the street.


7. Comment: From Sunday, February 12 until Thursday,
February 16 Preval partisans staged peaceful demonstrations
throughout Port-au-Prince. Immediately following the
announcement of Preval's first-round victory, the
demonstrations turned into celebrations. Port-au-Prince
returned to normal by mid-morning on February 16. The

PORT AU PR 00000337 002 OF 002


situation in the provinces was quiet throughout the week,
with reports of minor Pro-Preval demonstrations, but nothing
to match the clamor of the capital.
CARNEY