SMALL PROTESTS IN HAITI AUGUST 25

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001215

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR ASEC HA
SUBJECT: SMALL PROTESTS IN HAITI AUGUST 25

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Classified By: Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
)


1. (SBU) Summary: Small groups of rioters burned tires and
erected barricades August 25 in Port au Prince and the
southern town of Les Cayes. Most businesses in Les Cayes
closed that day, but Port au Prince remained open for
business. UN peacekeepers and the Haitian National Police
responded quickly to remove roadblocks and restore order.
These small disturbances followed a week of persistent rumors
that widespread demonstrations and strikes were planned for
the week beginning August 25. The rioters voiced no demands,
but these small disturbances came as a confluence of factors
-- including the prolonged absence of a confirmed government,
continuing inflation, and rising school fees as the beginning
of the school year nears -- have combined to create an
environment of uncertainty. End summary.

PROTESTS IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, LES CAYES
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2. (SBU) Protestors erected a number of barricades in
Port-au-Prince the morning of August 25, according to Embassy
contacts and press reports. The Haitian National Police
(HNP) dismantled at least two such roadblocks in the Delmas
area of the capital and stepped up its static and roving
patrols to maintain order. HNP and MINUSTAH sources say that
piles of rocks and tires were placed in strategic areas
downtown the night of August 24, but that the police and
MINUSTAH moved aggressively during the night to remove them.
Rock-throwing incidents occurred in the Port au Prince
district of Delmas. Other areas of the capital stayed quiet;
an Embassy contractor driving through the wealthy suburb of
Petionville, for instance, reported that businesses there
were open, although foot and vehicle traffic there was
unusually light. The often volatile slum of Cite Soleil
remained quiet, although contractors working on USG-funded
construction projects there halted work for the day. The
Embassy,s Narcotics Affairs Section released tear gas
canisters from USG-controlled stocks to the HNP at the
request of the HNP,s Director General on August 24 as police
readied themselves for potentially tense standoffs in the
capital. (Note: The canisters are held under USG control
pursuant to a Congressional mandate. End note.) However, we
have heard no reports that the tear gas was used.


3. (SBU) Several UN and HNP sources reported that a
''handful'' of people had erected barricades and burned tires
early in the morning on August 25 in Les Cayes, where the
April riots began. Increased MINUSTAH patrols had largely
restored order there, but many stores there were closed.
State Secretary for Public Security Luc Joseph Eucher denied
press reports that tear gas had been used to disperse a crowd
of demonstrators in town. Citizens reportedly later helped
clear barricades, indicating a lack of support for the
demonstrators among many residents.


4. (C) Eucher told the Ambassador the evening of August 25
that tire burnings had occurred in Les Cayes. He believed
that drug traffickers were trying to stir up trouble there to
make a political point just before the new Government is
announced and the legislature votes it into office. He said
that the HNP, reacting to persistent reports of planned
violence, had rounded up a dozen suspects the previous week
to preempt trouble.

ALL'S QUIET THE DAY AFTER
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5. (C) Port au Prince and Les Cayes are quiet August 26. The
frantic Haitian rumor mill had predicted these protests would
escalate the rest of the week, but effective HNP and MINUSTAH
enforcement, helped by the first rains of Hurricane Gustav,
have dampened the spirits of any miscreants who may have
planned to take to the streets August 26. Rumors persist of a
large demonstration near Parliament on August 28.

COMMENT

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6. (C) Whoever planned these not particularly well-organized
disturbances was trying to capitalize on the still-fresh
memory of the April riots by organizing street violence at a
politically sensitive moment. After the Parliament confirmed
the new Prime Minister, Michele Pierre-Louis, on July 31,
negotiations between the new Prime Minister and the political
parties over the composition of her new government dragged on
for weeks, and concluded with presentation of a new
Government August 26 (septel). Meanwhile, the imminent
beginning of the academic year has aggravated the financial
burden faced by ordinary Haitians, as school fees and
associated costs have risen dramatically. Prices for many
basic food items have continued to rise.


7. (C) We are encouraged that HNP and UN forces learned from
the April rioting and moved quickly to dismantle barricades,
remove piles of rocks and tires, and re-establish order. The
presentation of a new government April 26, if followed by
rapid confirmation of the new ministers by the Senate and
Chamber of Deputies, could buy Haiti,s government more time
to address the protestors, concerns about the high
cost-of-living and the difficulties of the beginning of the
school year.
SANDERSON