Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PORTAUPRINCE1136
2008-08-08 15:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Au Prince
how-toVZCZCXRO6655 OO RUEHQU DE RUEHPU #1136/01 2211533 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 081533Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8664 INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 2017 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1797 RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC PRIORITY 1220 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1581
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001136
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR
S/CRS
INL FOR KEVIN BROWN AND ANGELIC YOUNG
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: HAITI MONTHLY: JULY, 2008
REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 898
B. PORT AU PRINCE 1106
PORT AU PR 00001136 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001136
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR
S/CRS
INL FOR KEVIN BROWN AND ANGELIC YOUNG
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: HAITI MONTHLY: JULY, 2008
REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 898
B. PORT AU PRINCE 1106
PORT AU PR 00001136 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please
protect accordingly.
2. (U) Summary: This is a monthly report on various topics
of interest which do not merit a full reporting cable. End
summary.
3. (SBU) ELECTORAL LAW VOTED AND PUBLISHED. President
Preval July 18 officially signed the electoral law necessary
for elections for one-third of the Senate. ''Le Moniteur,''
the official government record, published the law July 25.
Parliament in early July voted a second time on the law, the
first version of which Preval returned with suggested changes
(ref A). In reexamining the law, Parliament opted to keep a
provision opposed by Preval that requires two voting centers
for each communal section. CEP President Frantz-Gerard
Verret told Poloff July 29 that the CEP is currently
evaluating the implications of the law and revising the
electoral calendar to accommodate what he dubbed ''quite a
few innovations'' to the electoral process, chief among them
the addition of new voting centers.
4. (U) ACCIDENT PROMPTS PUBLIC DEBATE ON TRAFFIC
REGULATIONS. A multi-vehicle traffic accident on National
Route 2 in southern Haiti on July 26 resulted in 29 dead and
approximately 60 injured. According to the police commissar
for the South Department, the brakes failed on a large truck
transporting merchandise and passengers to Port-au-Prince,
causing it to crash into three other vehicles. The accident
has kicked off a public debate over the negligent regulation
of trucks transporting goods and passengers around the
country. Partial blame for the accident is also being
attributed to poor road conditions.
5. (U) HAITIAN CHAMBER ACCORD TO HELP FORMALIZE THE INFORMAL
SECTOR. The Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH)
and the Haitian Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises
(FHAPME),formerly known as the Association of Members of the
Informal Sector/ACSI, on July 10 signed an accord to help
integrate informal sector associations into the formal
sector. FHAPME comprises more than 20 informal sector
associations (Note: According to President of CCIH
Jean-Robert Argant, the informal sector represents 60 percent
of the economy. End Note) Argant told Econoff July 29 that
both parties discussed the accord over approximately two
years before signing. Argant underlined that the initiative
was an important step to help fight discrimination against
merchants in the informal sector. Argant explained to
Econoff that most informal sector CEO's (generally women and
locally known as 'lumena') generate between USD 8-10 million
per year. Argant shared that the FHAPME would pay CCIH
membership dues. A main component of the accord is to
encourage the informal sector to pay taxes. The CCIH assured
members that they could hold the government accountable and
demand services if they paid taxes to the government.
President of FHAPME Yanick Mezile lauded the accord and
affirmed that its intention was to reinforce the Haitian
economy. Outgoing Minister of Commerce Maguy Durce echoed
their enthusiasm and stated that the accord would harmonize
relations between the public and private sectors.
6. (U) ALL EYES ON BEIJING. Haiti will send 10 athletes to
the 2008 Summer Olympics to compete in track and field, judo
and boxing. The presidents of the Haitian Olympic Committee
and the Haitian Athletic Association will accompany the
delegation to Beijing.
7. (SBU) FOLLOW-UP TO FORMER MILITARY PROTESTS. Following
on the demonstrations organized by former military in Cap
Haitien which ended on July 30 (ref B) MINUSTAH sources
report 20 demonstrators were arrested for different crimes: 8
for conspiracy against the government and 12 for criminal
conspiracy and illegal possession of a firearm.
Additionally, the police seized three 38 caliber Taurus
revolvers while the suspects were incarcerated. The
PORT AU PR 00001136 002.2 OF 002
investigation continues.
TIGHE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR
S/CRS
INL FOR KEVIN BROWN AND ANGELIC YOUNG
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: HAITI MONTHLY: JULY, 2008
REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 898
B. PORT AU PRINCE 1106
PORT AU PR 00001136 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please
protect accordingly.
2. (U) Summary: This is a monthly report on various topics
of interest which do not merit a full reporting cable. End
summary.
3. (SBU) ELECTORAL LAW VOTED AND PUBLISHED. President
Preval July 18 officially signed the electoral law necessary
for elections for one-third of the Senate. ''Le Moniteur,''
the official government record, published the law July 25.
Parliament in early July voted a second time on the law, the
first version of which Preval returned with suggested changes
(ref A). In reexamining the law, Parliament opted to keep a
provision opposed by Preval that requires two voting centers
for each communal section. CEP President Frantz-Gerard
Verret told Poloff July 29 that the CEP is currently
evaluating the implications of the law and revising the
electoral calendar to accommodate what he dubbed ''quite a
few innovations'' to the electoral process, chief among them
the addition of new voting centers.
4. (U) ACCIDENT PROMPTS PUBLIC DEBATE ON TRAFFIC
REGULATIONS. A multi-vehicle traffic accident on National
Route 2 in southern Haiti on July 26 resulted in 29 dead and
approximately 60 injured. According to the police commissar
for the South Department, the brakes failed on a large truck
transporting merchandise and passengers to Port-au-Prince,
causing it to crash into three other vehicles. The accident
has kicked off a public debate over the negligent regulation
of trucks transporting goods and passengers around the
country. Partial blame for the accident is also being
attributed to poor road conditions.
5. (U) HAITIAN CHAMBER ACCORD TO HELP FORMALIZE THE INFORMAL
SECTOR. The Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH)
and the Haitian Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises
(FHAPME),formerly known as the Association of Members of the
Informal Sector/ACSI, on July 10 signed an accord to help
integrate informal sector associations into the formal
sector. FHAPME comprises more than 20 informal sector
associations (Note: According to President of CCIH
Jean-Robert Argant, the informal sector represents 60 percent
of the economy. End Note) Argant told Econoff July 29 that
both parties discussed the accord over approximately two
years before signing. Argant underlined that the initiative
was an important step to help fight discrimination against
merchants in the informal sector. Argant explained to
Econoff that most informal sector CEO's (generally women and
locally known as 'lumena') generate between USD 8-10 million
per year. Argant shared that the FHAPME would pay CCIH
membership dues. A main component of the accord is to
encourage the informal sector to pay taxes. The CCIH assured
members that they could hold the government accountable and
demand services if they paid taxes to the government.
President of FHAPME Yanick Mezile lauded the accord and
affirmed that its intention was to reinforce the Haitian
economy. Outgoing Minister of Commerce Maguy Durce echoed
their enthusiasm and stated that the accord would harmonize
relations between the public and private sectors.
6. (U) ALL EYES ON BEIJING. Haiti will send 10 athletes to
the 2008 Summer Olympics to compete in track and field, judo
and boxing. The presidents of the Haitian Olympic Committee
and the Haitian Athletic Association will accompany the
delegation to Beijing.
7. (SBU) FOLLOW-UP TO FORMER MILITARY PROTESTS. Following
on the demonstrations organized by former military in Cap
Haitien which ended on July 30 (ref B) MINUSTAH sources
report 20 demonstrators were arrested for different crimes: 8
for conspiracy against the government and 12 for criminal
conspiracy and illegal possession of a firearm.
Additionally, the police seized three 38 caliber Taurus
revolvers while the suspects were incarcerated. The
PORT AU PR 00001136 002.2 OF 002
investigation continues.
TIGHE