HAITI: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001921 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU HA SUBJECT: HAITI: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT REF: A. SECSTATE 158768 ¶B. PORT AU PRINCE 01743 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: The Government of Haiti values its relationship with Cuba because of the significant amount of technical assistance it receives from that country. The bulk of that assistance comes in the form of educational and professional exchanges and technical assistance. We see no evidence that Cuba provides appreciable direct financial inflows into Haiti, whether by investment in the Haitian economy or through budget commitments. End Summary. Trade/Investment -------------- ¶3. (U) Post is aware of no Haitian public or private investment in Cuba. Post is aware of no bilateral trade agreements between Haiti and Cuba. Exchanges: Scholarships for Haitian students -------------- ¶4. (U) As many as eight hundred Haitian medical students have been provided scholarships to study in Cuba. This program began under the Jean-Bertrand Aristide's second administration (2001-2004) and continues today. At the conclusion of their studies, the Haitian doctors return to Haiti to practice in public hospitals and clinics. Exchanges: Health and Energy -------------- ¶5. (SBU) There are approximately 500 Cuban medical doctors and technicians practicing in Haitian public hospitals and clinics. Cuban doctors manage two eye, nose and throat hospitals in Port-au-Prince and rotate in replacements every two to three years. The program began during Aristide's second administration. The physicians departed quickly when Aristide left the country but returned under the Interim Government that followed Aristide. Their presence continues under the Preval administration. (Note: Cuban doctors appear to be well-regarded in the country. End Note.) Reports indicate that several hundred Haitians have been provided eye surgery in Cuba free of charge under the joint Cuba-Venezuelan program ''Operation Miracle.'' President Preval frequently travels to Cuba for medical reasons, although he has begun traveling to the U.S. as well for such purposes, including dental care. Chamber of Deputies President Eric Jean-Jacques as of December 5 was in Cuba for medical treatment. ¶6. (SBU) In addition to health sector ties, an indeterminate number of Cubans are in Haiti distributing energy-efficient light bulbs in poor areas. Technicians also perform maintenance at generating plants of the national electricity utility. Zero GOH Support for Cuban Democracy -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Government of Haiti refrains from publicly criticizing any government that gives it substantial assistance. We have never witnessed any GOH criticism -- whether by the executive or the legislature -- of Cuba's human rights and democracy record. This position is not motivated by ideological affinity to Cuba's social/political system, but by the friendship Haiti cultivates with any and all providers of substantial assistance. The Government of Haiti, for example, never criticizes Taiwan -- which provides substantial assistance to Haiti -- despite the strategic significance of China for Haiti. Additionally, thee are close historical ties between Cubans and Haitians. No Recent High-Level Visits -------------- ¶8. (U) There have been no high-level diplomatic visits between Haiti and Cuba in the last six months. TIGHE