HAITIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000092 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR DRL S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) TREASURY FOR JEFFREY LEVINE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PKAO HA SUBJECT: HAITIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES ELECTIONS COMMITTEE OF GUARANTEE Classified By: CDA Douglas M. Griffiths, reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) Interim government President Boniface Alexandre announced January 11 the Committee of Guarantee (COG) for Elections. In part reading from the executive order that will create the COG, Alexandre explained that the committee, comprised of members of political parties (five) and civil society (six) is responsible for monitoring the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP),guaranteeing the transparency of elections, and ensuring that election results are based on a free and fair process. The COG was reportedly legalized by executive order January 11. But, Alexandre,s office said January 12 that the decree is not ready and would be sent to the Moniteur, the national newspaper, soon. A source at the Moniteur confirmed that the press has not yet received the order. ¶2. (U) During his speech, Alexandre named the eleven members of the COG: -- Gerard Blot (Convention of Political Parties) -- Jean W. Thimotee (Convention of Political Parties) -- Robert Pyram (Protestant Federation of Haiti) -- Osner Fevry (National Council of Political Parties) -- Lucile Charles (National Council of Political Parties) -- Enold Joseph (Convention of Political Parties) -- Lucile Charles (Episcopal Conference of Haiti) -- Carline Viergelin (Voodoo Cult) -- Jean Madsen Francios (Unions) -- Gervais Charles (Private Sector) -- Jean Robert Vaval (Civil Society) ¶3. (C) Comment: We are wary of the new committee. In theory, by giving the parties a strong public voice in elections, the COG could be used as a tool to enfranchise the political parties and create buy-in for elections and the transition to an elected government. However, it could also be a tool to delay the process. Fear of a second Preval presidency has gripped many political and business elites, with some elements seeking to delay elections in hopes that a challenger to Preval will emerge. To satisfy the agenda of delay, the COG could conceivably call for a complete review of any aspect of the electoral process. At the ceremony launching the COG, Charge Griffiths again put President Alexandre and PM Latortue on notice that the international community would tolerate no further delays in the elections. Both reiterated their full commitment to a February 7 first round. End Comment. CARNEY