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
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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
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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
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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