FUSION'S GAILLARD OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PREVAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000755

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: PGOV PREL HA
SUBJECT: FUSION'S GAILLARD OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PREVAL


1. (SBU) Summary: Fusion party spokesman Micha Gaillard
believes that Haitian politics have entered a new era of
negotiation and compromise as a direct result of
President-elect Rene Preval,s conciliatory approach and
endeavors to build a coalition government. Gaillard and his
party are enthusiastic about Preval,s proposed 25-year
governance plan and see it as a vehicle for democratic change
in Haiti. A party colleague from Gonaives warned however, of
potential unrest from slum areas if Preval is not able to
deliver immediate improvements to his supporters. Gaillard
was a leading figure in the Group of 184 (G-184) civil
society movement opposing former president Aristide and was
no fan of Preval during the electoral campaign. His
enthusiasm for the prospects of political reconciliation are
heartening and reflect the sincere efforts Preval has made to
reach out across the political spectrum. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Gaillard and other Fusion leaders met with Poloff on
the eve of the second round of parliamentary elections, April
20, to discuss the prospective role of Parliament under a
Preval administration. Gaillard asserted that a new era in
Haitian politics is developing because of Preval,s outreach
to the opposition parties and that Preval has built
confidence and created an atmosphere for problem solving
among the parties and civil society. Asked how he viewed the
prospective relationship between Preval and Parliament,
Gaillard emphasized the need for a "harmonized relationship."
The country was tired of political confrontation and
political parties were ready to cooperate, though given
Haiti's non-democratic political culture the new parliament
faced challenges in maintaining respect for democratic
practices.


3. (SBU) Preval has twice met with the Fusion team and has
requested a third meeting. Gaillard sensed "a spirit of
cooperation," in the discussions, which focused on challenges
such as electricity, food security, and infrastructure.
Fusion did not intend to be a "block of ice" when dealing
with the Preval government, but will lobby for changes they
believe are important to their constituency, and for
constructive change overall.


4. (SBU) Gaillard was equally excited about Preval,s
"25-year plan," an initiative Preval has launched with the
stated purpose of ensuring broad long term political
commitment to Haiti,s development needs. While Preval has
provided little substance on the plan thus far, Gaillard said
that the idea generates enthusiasm among the opposition.
Gaillard indicated that several parties, including Fusion
would collaborate in formulating the plan that would
integrate ideas from all sectors on the environment,
education, infrastructure, and government institutions.


5. (SBU) Tempering Gaillard,s optimism somewhat, his
colleague from Gonaives cautioned that Gonaives was quiet for
now, but could be a problem for Preval if the population
continued to feel ignored and neglected. Interim Prime
Minister Latortue, who hails from the city, had promised a
lot, but Gonaives had seen little in the way of tangible
changes. The Fusion official cautioned that the Preval
government could not discount the strength and potential of
Gonaives, armed gangs to create disorder.


6. (U) The Fusion party formed in April 2005 as the result of
the merger of three left-of-center parties (KONAKAM, PANPRA,
and Ayiti Kapab). Party leader and presidential candidate
Serge Gilles finished a distant fifth in the presidential
race with 2.6 percent of the vote, but Fusion profited from a
relatively strong national organization, and will likely hold
4 or 5 of the 30 senate seats. Preliminary results indicate
they have won 9 of the 67 deputy races already decided, with
results pending for the other 32 races.


7. (SBU) Comment: Gaillard is among the most prominent among
the G-184 figures committed to deposing former president
Aristide. He was very critical of Preval's refusal to
participate in the presidential debates. That Preval has won
him over ) thus far, at least ) is a major coup and a
credit to Preval,s efforts to reach out to his opponents.

PORT AU PR 00000755 002 OF 002


Another encouraging surprise is the importance that Gaillard
ascribes to Preval,s 25-year plan. Although the plan is
short on substance at the moment, presidential commitment to
a formal vehicle for political reconciliation will be the
crucial factor in any reconciliation effort.
SANDERSON