DECEMBER 24 REPATRIATION OF 202 HAITIAN MIGRANTS

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002024

SIPDIS

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 PHUM HA
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 24 REPATRIATION OF 202 HAITIAN MIGRANTS


1. (U) On December 24, the US Coast Guard (USCG) transferred
202 Haitian migrants into the custody of the GoH in
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. On December 21, the USCG intercepted
a sail freighter carrying 228 Haitian migrants 33 nautical
miles south of Great Inagua, Bahamas, at which time 202
agreed to transfer to the USCG vessel, while 26 opted to
remain on the sail freighter. Some migrants claimed that the
sail freighter, which allegedly set sail from Port-au-Prince
en route to Ile de la Gonave, an island off the west coast of
Haiti, was lost at sea. Other migrants from the vessel told
the USCG that they were bound for the United States. A
linguistic interpreter on the USCG vessel noted that most of
the migrants were from Ile de la Tortue and Port-de-Paix,
located on Haiti's northwestern coast. The interpreter also
noted that some migrants were from St. Marc, located on the
central west coast, across from Ile de la Gonave. The
migrants claimed to have paid the equivalent of USD $139 for
the voyage. The sail freighter returned to Ile de la Tortue.


2. (U) Comment. The USCG appears to have intercepted a
vessel in process of a smuggling operation. Smuggling people
and contraband is rife on Haiti's northwest coast, the origin
of a majority of the intercepted migrants. (Note: POLOFF
noted during the repatriation that regular boat service to
Ile de la Gonave departs just a few kilometers from St. Marc,
at Montrouis, which is much closer in proximity to Haiti's
northwest coast than Port-au-Prince. It is therefore
illogical for any Haitian to have chosen Port-au-Prince over
Montrouis as a departure point for the said destination.
Additionally, there is no existing regular boat service from
Port-au-Prince to Ile de la Gonave. End note.) The USCG
also reported, and POLOFF concurs, that the migrants did not
appear to be among the poorest of Haiti's poor. Most
appeared in good health and sufficiently nourished. Given
the northwest coast origins of the majority of the migrants,
their uncredible story of becoming lost enroute to Ile de la
Gonave, and their healthy physical appearances, it is more
than likely that the migrants are part of the usual annual
attempts to test luck in crossing the ocean during the
dry-season.
TIGHE