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