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