HAITI: NSC-DIRECTED COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000807

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA/CCA
WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: CU ETRD ETTC PREL HA
SUBJECT: HAITI: NSC-DIRECTED COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY REVIEW
REGARDING SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT

REF: (A) SECSTATE 57782 (B) PORT AU PRINCE 0706

Classified By: Douglas Griffiths, DCM, Reason 1.5 (b) and (d)

In response to questions in ref A:


1. Despite their close geographical proximity, there is
little or no Haitian direct investment in Cuba.


2. Haiti has no bilateral trade agreements with Cuba.


3. Haiti hosts approximately 500 Cuban doctors who provide
medical services to the country. During an April 12-14, 2006
visit by Haitian President-elect Preval, Cuba agreed to fund
an unspecified number of medical scholarships for Haitians to
study in Cuba. See question 5 for more details on the Preval
visit to Cuba.


4. Post is unaware of any actions taken by the Interim
Government of Haiti (IGOH) to advance democracy, human
rights, and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.


5. President-elect Preval visited Cuba April 12-14, 2006.
Preval underwent successful hernia surgery while in Cuba and
twice met Fidel Castro. During the visit, the Cuban
government agreed to provide additional medical services to
Haiti, primarily in the form of more doctors and additional
funding for clinics and medical supplies, particularly in
rural areas (ref B). An aid to President-elect Preval told
Emboff that Preval hopes that the Cuban-trained Haitian
doctors will eventually take the place of Cuban doctors in
the Haitian countryside. In addition, Cuba announced that it
would send energy technicians to Haiti to help resolve
Haiti,s electricity problems.
SANDERSON