HAITI: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 001695 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR STATE FOR WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2018 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PGOV HA CU SUBJECT: HAITI: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT REF: A. SECSTATE 126578 ¶B. PORT AU PRINCE 00767 ¶C. PORT AU PRINCE 01068 Classified By: DCM Thomas C. Tighe for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Government of Haiti virtually never criticizes any of the multiple countries, including Cuba, which gives it assistance. In keeping with this policy, the Government of Haiti never criticizes Cuba's democracy or human rights record. Haiti and Cuba, along with Venezuela, are parties to a tripartite agreement that facilitates technical assistance to Haiti in the areas of electricity generation, medical services and medical education. Cuban technical assistance and training have supported construction and technical support for three power plants in Haiti. Cuban doctors provide medical services in the capital and the provinces. High-level visits were limited to the Haitian President's participation in multilateral meetings in Cuba. End summary. Human Rights and Democracy Promotion -------------- ¶2. (C) The Government of Haiti (GOH) does not criticize or comment on Cuba's human rights or democracy record, and there have been no Cuba-related resolutions passed in the Haitian Parliament since the previous Libertad report (ref B). Post is aware of no Haitian actions in support of civil society in Cuba through its diplomatic missions or other fora. Bilateral Agreements, Technical Assistance and Exchanges -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Haiti is partner to a Venezulan-Cuban-Haitian tripartite cooperative agreement which facilitates technical assistance to Haiti, including building and upgrading electrical power plants. Under the Tripartite agreement, Venezuela provides and sets up electrical generators and other plant equipment. Cuba provides on-site engineering and technical assistance, and trains Haitian technicians in Cuba on operation and maintenance (ref C). ¶4. (C) The Venezuelan-built 15-megawatt power plant in Cap Haitien is near completion, and currently generates 13.6 megawatts. Cuban technical staff are supervising the transition to full-power operation. A second power plant in Carrefour, a neighborhood south of Port-au-Prince, will generate 30 megawatts for the capital area when it comes on line. Cuban and Venezuelan engineers work at the site. Haiti's electricity company announced recently the plant will be inaugurated soon. The third Venezuelan-built power plant, a 15-megawatt facility in Gonaives, is semi-operational, and is also serviced by Cuban personnel. ¶5. (SBU) Haitian medical students continue to receive scholarships to study in Cuba. To date, over 1,000 Haitians have participated in this program. Cuban physicians provide medical services at various hospitals throughout the country, including Gonaives. High-Level Diplomatic Visits -------------- ¶6. (SBU) President Rene Preval traveled to Santiago de Cuba December 7 to take part in the third Cuba-CARICOM Summit, hosted by Cuban President Raul Castro. President Preval is expected to remain in Cuba until December 11 in order to pursue ''medical follow-up,'' according to a statement by the President's chief of staff. The President occasionally travels to Cuba for medical treatment. Trade/Investment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Post is aware of no Haitian public or private investment in Cuba. Post is aware of no bilateral trade agreements between Haiti and Cuba. SANDERSON