TASK FORCE PRESSES FOR MORE HNP IN CITE SOLEIL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001173 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC KCRM KPKO EAID HA SUBJECT: TASK FORCE PRESSES FOR MORE HNP IN CITE SOLEIL REF: PORT AU PRINCE 1057 PORT AU PR 00001173 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: As a result of renewed reports that some gang members in Cite Soleil continue to disrupt local projects and threaten employers, international donors, NGOs and MINUSTAH representatives agreed on June 26 to call for concerted action by the GoH to reinforce Haitian National Police (HNP) presence in Cite Soleil. At a "Red Zones Task Force" meeting at UNDP, MINUSTAH's force commander agreed to deploy troops to monitor donor project sites. MINUSTAH's military and civil affairs representatives stressed, however, that HNP community policing in conjunction with UN Police (UNPol) and UN troop patrols was the best long-term solution to controlling crime in Cite Soleil. Post will coordinate with donors to press the GoH/HNP leadership to remain vigilant in Cite Soleil and bring UNPol and HNP representatives into the task force coordination process. End summary. ¶3. (SBU) Post's USAID Director reported to the Red Zone Task Force that local criminals are harassing USAID contractors in Cite Soleil, and that it is becoming increasingly difficult for development projects to continue. He recommended that the donor community should be sending a strong message to the GoH, particularly Prime Minister Alexis, to emphasize that HNP presence in Cite Soleil is crucial to all future development of the area. (Note: An International Organization for Migration (IOM) representative reported to post and to MINUSTAH on June 25 that in recent weeks gangs have attempted to reassert some control over the area through extortion, death threats, and vandalism of IOM materials. These methods are typical of Haitian slums, where most residents are unemployed. End note.) ¶4. (SBU) MINUSTAH's force commander, Major General Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz, echoed the need for the international community to present a common message to the GoH requesting HNP collaboration in Cite Soleil, and asked post personnel bring our concerns directly to the GoH. Santos Cruz said he recently instructed the Brazilian battalion commander in Cite Soleil to have more troops patrol on foot instead of in armored personnel carriers, and to work harder to include two or three HNP officers per patrol. Santos Cruz noted that his troops need HNP assistance to communicate with residents and identify gang members, whom they have a difficult time recognizing. He described the gangs as small groups trying to prove their strength through intimidation and extortion, a problem which he noted is nothing new for Cite Soleil. However, he agreed to sed more patrols to the areas with NGO projects aslong as they keep him informed of their location. ¶5. (SBU) Cecilia Piazza of MINUSTAH civil affairs stated that the HNP needs to stay in Cite Soeil at night, when many crimes take place and mot informants come to report to MINUSTAH. She sad this would be an opportunity for the HNP to inerrogate witnesses and collect evidence against gan members. (Note: HNP director general Mario Andesol told post's RSO that he understands the importance of having a permanent police presence in Cite Soleil. Andresol also said he has a plan for keeping gangs under control, but is short of the personnel, training and supplies needed for implementation. End note.) ¶6. (SBU) Comment: MINUSTAH listened to and then reiterated post's message that MINUSTAH and the HNP need to remain vigilant in Cite Soleil. In the wake of MINUSTAH's and the HNP's success in arresting the most powerful gang leaders and eliminating their ability to wreak widespread havoc outside of Cite Soleil, remaining gang members are resorting to extortion of local employers, a time-honored practice in Haiti's slums. Post will reinforce with the GoH/HNP/UNPol the need to continue addressing gang activity within Cite Soleil, even if the gangs no longer represent a threat to the broader population of Port-au-Prince. PORT AU PR 00001173 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Comment continued: Subsequent to drafting of this message, Ambassador raised issue of Cite Soleil security with PM Alexis at Embassy's 4th of July reception. Alexis shared concern that gang members are attempting to subvert donor projects in Cite Soleil. The two agreed to discuss further GoH actions in meeting July 6. SANDERSON