PM RAISES DRUGS, AIRPORT WITH AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000210 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR DRL S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) TREASURY FOR JEFFREY LEVINE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2011 TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR KCRM EAIR HA SUBJECT: PM RAISES DRUGS, AIRPORT WITH AMBASSADOR Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Having asked for a meeting on an hours notice, Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis on January 26 raised concerns to the Ambassador about potential USG plans to add Haiti's international airport to a list of those requiring "extraordinary security measures" and expressed a desire for closer consultations on anti-narcotics efforts. The Ambassador pledged to clarify the USG position on Haiti's airport and meet regularly at his convenience to review bilateral issues affecting security, law-enforcement, and counter-narcotics. ¶2. (SBU) Noting that he had received this information from airport officials, the Prime Minister produced a copy of a document dated November 13, 2006, with the headings "proposed amendment 2" and "Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program." Under the sub-heading "Chapter 11: Extraordinary Locations - at Non-U.S. Locations," the first bullet point reads "Adds Afghanistan, Haiti, Indonesia, and the Philippines to regions and countries requiring extraordinary security measures." The PM expressed his concern with Haiti being grouped with countries such as Afghanistan and asked for a clarification USG policy on the airport. (Note: Subsequent to this meeting, post confirmed that because of concerns regarding Haiti's airport administration, TSA officials are considering adding Haiti to the list of airports requiring extraordinary measures for flights departing for the U.S. Post will report fully on the status of the airport septel. End Note.) ¶3. (C) Regretting that Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Karen Tandy had been forced to postpone her visit to Haiti (Tandy had to cancel her scheduled January 24 visit to Haiti due medical reasons and has tentatively rescheduled for March),the PM said he hoped that the administrator's visit would lead to better bilateral consultations on anti-narcotics issues. The Ambassador agreed that there was a need for better communication, and wondered whether the PM and President Preval were briefed on the extent of post's discussions with GoH officials. The Ambassador reminded the PM that she and other embassy officers regularly consulted with police officials, the state secretary for public security, the justice minister, and SIPDIS presidential advisor Robert Manuel, among others. The PM admitted that while he had overall responsibility for anti-narcotics policy he did not involve himself directly in operational matters, and suggested regular meetings with the Ambassador to bridge the gap. ¶4. (C) Comment. Though the postponement of the DEA Administrator's visit was unfortunate, this allows post time to lay the groundwork for a far more productive visit when she does come. Post is steadily making headway with GoH officials at the operational level in increasing anti-narcotics efforts: the PM's commitment to engage at the policy level is an important step forward. He appeared sincerely interested in enhancing cooperation, rather than simply posturing, and listened attentively as the Ambassador explained (again) how the 1998 Maritime Agreement does not address the problem of trafficking by air. The Ambassador also urged that State Secretary for Public Security Eucher and Police Chief Andresol accept our invitation to visit JATF South as soon as possible to receive a full briefing on regional drug trafficking, which the PM also supported. SANDERSON