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7 and the need for the program's suspension was no longer
applicable.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