CITE SOLEIL: EXCUSES, BLAME OUTWEIGH NEW SOLUTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001688 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 MARR MOPS KCRM KPKO HA SUBJECT: CITE SOLEIL: EXCUSES, BLAME OUTWEIGH NEW SOLUTIONS REF: PORT AU PRINCE 1235 PORT AU PR 00001688 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Peace in Cite Soleil remains fragile as MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police (HNP) struggle with mandate and capacity issues in their fight to control gang activities. MINUSTAH troops insist they are not easing pressure on the gangs but that because of their limited arrest mandate, they permit known gang members to wander the streets. The HNP could help alleviate the gang problem but faces shortage of manpower and equipment. Recognizing these limitations, it is important for MINUSTAH and the HNP to continue looking for ways to suppress criminal gangs and unite the community against gang activity. End summary. ¶3. (SBU) Poloff and ARSO on October 10 attended the weekly Cite Soleil security coordination meeting at Strong Point 16 (SP16). This group meets weekly to confer on security in Cite Soleil (reftel). MINUSTAH Civil Affairs Coordinator for Red Zones Martha Cordoba chaired the meeting. Other attendees included one Canadian UNPol, HNP commissar for Cite Soleil Aristide Rosemond, several members of the Brazilian battalion (BraBat) permanently posted in Cite Soleil, and representatives of MINUSTAH's Community Violence Reduction (CVR) and Human Rights sections. ¶4. (SBU) UNPol and HNP gave readouts of the previous week's activities. Canadian UNPol Bouchard reported that most reported crimes were assaults against women perpetrated by men. On October 7, a joint UNPol, HNP and BraBat team cordoned off the Boston neighborhood and performed a sweep for weapons and criminals. The sweep resulted in two arrests. (Note: Former MINUSTAH Civil Affairs Coordinator for Red Zones Jean-Philippe Laberge reported to Poloff October 5 that a team of 300 HNP and MINUSTAH performed three similar sweeps over the preceding week, but no arrests or weapons seizures resulted. End note.) Since September 29, the Cite Soleil justice of the peace had issued 69 warrants resulting in 21 arrests. Commissar Rosemond said the HNP executes daily patrols in conjunction with BraBat in several 
main neighborhoods (specifically Boston, Belincourt, Ti Ayiti and Wharf Soleil). ¶5. (SBU) Noting a perceived increase in the visibility and boldness of gang members, ARSO asked whether MINUSTAH patrols had lessened in recent weeks. BraBat's Lieutenant Commander Carlos Weizel said BraBat is still patrolling at the same levels as previous months, but the shift to more foot patrols means they are less visible and unable to cover as much ground. The foot patrols, however, allow for better contact with the community. Weizel also said that although BraBat knows certain people are gang members, they cannot legally arrest them unless they catch them committing an illegal act. He noted that lynching by the population is common and widely accepted in Cite Soleil. He also said gangs, after months of studying BraBat, are learning to carry out their activities ''under the radar.'' UNPol Bouchard added that it isdifficult to prove someone is part of a gang, and hat arbitrary arrests without the necessary evidnce or official complaints become human rights issues. (Note: Acting SRSG Luiz da Costa told Ambassador that MINUSTAH presence has not changed in Cite Soleil, although tactics have. End note.) ¶6. (SBU) Commissar Rosemond stated the HNP has the will but not the means to carry out its functions in Cite Soleil. He complained his officers have no police station and also lack vehicles, protective gear, means of communication and basic office supplies. Bouchard noted that the HNP workload is heavy at SP16, and the three HNP stationed there each day do the best they can to keep up with the complaints brought to them. Poloff described USG plans to convert SP16 to a commissariat, of which Commissar Rosemond claimed to be ignorant. Cordoba added that in the interim, MINUSTAH Civil Affairs has agreed to implement a quick impact project (QIP) to build HNP office space at SP16. (Note: NAS suggested the QIP as a way to allow the HNP to increase their presence in Cite Soleil before the full police commissariat is completed. PORT AU PR 00001688 002.2 OF 002 MINUSTAH agreed to employ local contractors frequently used the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project should begin in the next four to six weeks. End note.) ¶7. (SBU) Cordoba noted that all of these issues had been raised many times and were well understood by all involved. She called on the group to focus on pushing the population - which is still living under the control of gangs - to work together with MINUSTAH and HNP to curb the gang problem. She proposed that the October 17 meeting focus on positive steps to halt the deterioration of security in Cite Soleil, rather than rehashing known obstacles. ¶8. (SBU) Following the meeting, Cordoba questioned Poloff on the Embassy's understanding of the HNP's plan for Cite Soleil. She had heard the USG was concerned the HNP would not commit officers to Cite Soleil and therefore might not build police stations after all. Poloff assured her that the Haiti Stabilization Initiative (HSI) program would convert SP16 to a police station following the signing of an LOA between the USG and the GoH, as well as receipt of assurance of GoH ownership of the land. UNPol Bouchard also expressed skepticism that the USG would follow through on plans for SP16, repeatedly saying, ''Build us a police station,'' and ''Just give me a date when you'll break ground.'' (Note: The blueprint for construction at SP16 is currently with Director General of the HNP Mario Andresol for his review. Along with his approval of the construction plans, NAS will secure Andresol's guarantee that if HSI builds the commissariat, the HNP will staff it. HSI and NAS briefed UNPol Bouchard on the project status September 20. End note.) ¶9. (SBU) Comment: MINUSTAH and the HNP have been rehashing the same complaints for months. BraBat is frustrated by complaints that they are remiss in their efforts to curb criminal gangs; the HNP is making excuses for their feeble presence in Cite Soleil. Cordoba is right -- it is time to focus on ways to control the situation with the means at hand, given all the obstacles. Cite Soleil is symbolic of the improved security situation in Haiti and a relapse could have negative ripple effects throughout the country. SANDERSON