INL DAS MCCAMPBELL VISITS HAITI

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000319 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR INL FOR KRISTIN LION, KEVIN BROWN, ANGELIC YOUNG AND DON STOLLWORTHY S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PGOV HA SUBJECT: INL DAS MCCAMPBELL VISITS HAITI ¶1. (U) Summary: On January 14-15 INL DAS Christy McCampbell visited Haiti for the first time. She toured NAS and DEA-related sites and met with Embassy and GOH officials, including the Minister of Justice. She departed with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced in implementing programs in the fragile security environment of Haiti. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) INL DAS McCampbell spent a productive two days in Haiti visiting sites and learning from interlocaters more about the NAS programs being implemented and the operational challenges faced in Haiti. The DAS was struck by the poor conditions in Haiti in comparison to other countries, including the Dominican Republic, and also by the time and resources needed to accomplish tasks in Haiti. She met with officers from the various parts of the Embassy with which NAS cooperates and received a full briefing on in-country NAS programs, including progress on HSI security projects. ¶3. (SBU) A wide variety of site visits provided the opportunity to see NAS programs and projected activities up close. She visited the Haitian National Police (HNP) Academy, which receives heavy support from the USG in terms of cadet provisions, power generation and water supply, and which is slated for additional assistance to improve living conditions this year. She also toured the dilapidated forensic lab located on academy grounds that will be renovated this year under a NAS project. The HNP forensic team proudly demonstrated the new USG-donated computer and photographic equipment that they had been trained on in December under an INL-funded ICITAP program. DAS McCampbell also met with the Deputy Commissioner of the UN Police for the UN Mission to Haiti (MINUSTAH). They discussed current and planned U.S. assistance to the HNP, and possible collaboration with other major donors, such as Canada. DEA assisted with site visits to the HNP Counternarcotics Unit (BLTS) at the seaport and to the Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU),both of which receive infrastructure support from NAS Haiti. ¶4. (SBU) Perhaps the most dramatic visit of the trip was to the Prison Civil de Port au Prince, or National Penitentary. DAS McCampbell was given a catwalk tour of the facility, providing a birds-eye view of the conditions in which over 3000 prisoners live (in a space designed to hold 800). Some prisoners chanted pro-Aristide slogans when they saw the foreign visitors. Others called out for help from their perches on the window sills (with legs hanging through the window bars),the place where they reside and sleep. The NAS Corrections Advisor also showed the visitors the water, kitchen and infirmary sites that are part of INL-NAS plans to spend $200,000 on health and sanitation projects in the prison. ¶5. (SBU) On January 15, DAS McCampbell and Ambassador Sanderson met with Minister of Justice Rene Magloire and Secretary of State for Public Security Luc Eucher Joseph. SIPDIS The Minister of Justice identified assistance to the Judicial Police (DCPJ),especially the BLTS Counternarcotics Unit, and to the HNP Coast Guard as his top two priorities. He thanked the USG for its support to Haiti in its fight against drug trafficking and USG support of police reform but noted that there remains much to do. The Secretary of State emphasized the need to improve the investigative capacity of the police, and the Minister reiterated remarks made at earlier meetings that the judicial system needs assistance to ensure that arrests lead to effective prosecutions. Both spoke positively about the INL-funded US Treasury anti-money laundering program that is now underway. DAS McCampbell encouraged the GOH to partner to the full extent possible on projects for which the USG is providing funding to ensure their success and long-term viability. SANDERSON