RESUMPTION OF CRIMINAL DEPORTATIONS REMAINS STALLED

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000666 SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KHLS SMIG HA SUBJECT: RESUMPTION OF CRIMINAL DEPORTATIONS REMAINS STALLED REF: STATE 52420 ¶1. This message is sensitive but unclassified: please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Poloffs delivered the Resumption of Criminal Deportations non-paper to Interim Minister of Interior Paul Magloire on April 7. Magloire made no firm commitments to resume the program but asked for USG assistance in preparing a re-integration program. Later that day, the Ambassador delivered the same message to Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, receiving a similarly vague response. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) Poloffs met with Interim Minister of Interior Paul Magloire on Friday, April 7 to deliver the Resumption of Criminal Deportations non-paper (REFTEL A). Polcouns requested the re-implementation of the deportation program, noting that successful elections had taken place on February 7 and the need for the program's suspension was no longer applicable. Magloire said that he understood our concerns but declined to make a firm commitment on accepting deportees. ¶4. (SBU) Magloire gave several reasons for the delay in lifting the suspension, including the need to reach an accord with the newly elected government, lack of funds to reintegrate the deportees, lack of cooperation from the USG in preparing a re-integration program, and Haitian public opinion. Reading from reftel non-paper, Polcouns noted that the IGOH risked visa sanctions if the suspension was not lifted. Magloire asserted that visa sanctions would be unreasonable and considered such action a personal threat. He stated that the IGOH has done everything the USG has asked of it, even risking its credibility, and should be given credit, not sanctions for progress in Haiti. Polcouns acknowledged IGOH progress but again pushed for the resumption of the deportation program. ¶5. (SBU) Later in the afternoon, the Ambassador spoke with Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and underscored the necessity to recommence the program. He expressed appreciation for the USG's decision to suspend the program at his request during the electoral period, and acknowledged that a resumption is long overdue. Latortue stated that he had a working group in progress in the next room to address, among other things, the return of the deportees. The Ambassador emphasized that this is not a decision that should be left to the incoming, elected GOH and stressed that US law called for stringent actions in the event that the process was not resumed. Latortue acknowledged that a decision by the IGOH was necessary and would make a decision regarding the program. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Both Latortue and Magloire are reluctant to resume criminal deportations, with only four weeks remaining before the installation of a new governments. End Comment. SANDERSON