HAITI/CANADA RELATIONS ENHANCED BY PM VISIT

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001276 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 HA OVIP SUBJECT: HAITI/CANADA RELATIONS ENHANCED BY PM VISIT REF: PORT AU PRINCE 1243 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's July 20 visit to Haiti was hailed as a success by both Canadian and Haitian representatives. President Preval solicited Canada's help in the struggle against drug trafficking, contraband and corruption, and Harper offered Canada's ongoing support. The presence of Fanmi Lavalas activist "So Anne" did not dampen the friendly atmosphere of the encounter. Harper also visited Cite Soleil as a testament to the improved security of the impoverished neighborhood. Harper's other stops in Latin America and the Caribbean were successful as well, according to his delegation, and the entire visit played well in the Canadian press. End summary. ¶3. (SBU) President Preval hosted a luncheon for Harper at the presidential palace where the president made multiple references to the close relationship between Canada and Haiti. Harper stressed long-term commitment of his country to Haiti's development and reconstruction, telling luncheon guests, ''We are at your side.'' Preval asked for help fighting drug trafficking, contraband and corruption. He also raised the issue of former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, telling Harper that Aristide's return would be dangerous for the country's budding democracy. Preval and Harper had a 15 minute private meeting following the luncheon. According to Canadian Ambassador Claude Boucher and James Fox, Assistant Deputy Minister for Bilateral Relations at Foreign Affairs Canada, the meeting went according to expectations with no surprises. UN SRSG Edmond Mulet and Secretary General of the Presidency Fritz Longchamps also told the Ambassador that the visit was a success. ¶4. (SBU) Fanmi Lavalas (FL) activist Annette ''So Anne'' Auguste attended the luncheon, along with fellow FL member (and Preval's former liaison to Cite Soleil gangs) Rene Momplaisir. (Note: Auguste worked closely with Aristide and is a vocal proponent of his return to Haiti. End note.) Longchamps told the Ambassador on July 23 that the palace invited Auguste as a display of their willingness to reach across party lines and reconcile with political opponents. The Canadians, however, made arrangements so that Harper never interacted with Auguste. Palace staff kept her away from Preval to prevent photographers from associating him with Aristide collaborators. ¶5. (U) Harper also visited a Canadian-funded hospital in Cite Soleil. According to Canadian Poloff, the Embassy wanted to demonstrate to Ottawa that Cite Soleil is now safe enough for official visits. They feel they accomplished that goal as the visit was without incident. Medical workers and Cite Soleil residents were delighted about the visit, according to Canadian Poloff. ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Fox told the Ambassador that the rest of the visit, primarily in South America, went very well. The Canadian delegation was pleased by the reception at the PM's stops and delighted by the press coverage, particularly in Canada. Although the Colombia stop was ''difficult,'' Fox said that Harper and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe got along very well, noting that this was the first visit to Bogota by a Canadian Head of Government since the mid-1950s. ¶7. (U) Comment: Though he did not make any new bilateral commitments during the visit, the presence of PM Harper in Haiti signifies Canada's expanding role in the region. As noted in reftel, however, the effects may be more notable in Canada than in Haiti, where Canadians and Haitians already acknowledge their burgeoning relationship. SANDERSON