HAITI MONTHLY: FEBRUARY, 2008

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 PORT AU PRINCE 00037 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR S/CRS INL FOR KEVIN BROWN AND ANGELIC YOUNG SOUTHCOMALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IA WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A AGS: HA, PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, EFIN SUBJECT: HITI MONTHLY: FEBRUARY, 2008 *********************** * Missing Section 001 * *********************** PORT AU PR 00000037 002.2 OF 003 they were in the Doinican Republic. (Note: GARR correctly noted tat the GOH's fight against corruption must include the land borders because corrpt officials on both sides of the Haitian-Dominican border are implicated, either turning a blind eye to illegal border crossings or profiting directly from such crossings. End note.) ¶7. (SBU) PREVAL WANTS FASTER PROGRESS ON FINANCIAL CRIMES PROSECUTIONS President Preval called for a briefing February 22 by Department of Treasury Office of Technical Assistance advisors. The President asked OTA advisors to outline impediments in the identification and prosecution of financial crimes cases and said clear and measurable progress is essential to respond to public concerns about corruption. Preval pressured Minister of Justice Magloire to equip offices of the judicial police investigators (BAFE offices), ensure appropriate salaries were offered to BAFE investigators, and immediately identify prosecutors and magistrates with financial expertise who can swiftly act on cases. OTA advisors returned March 2 and plan to work intensively with BAFE in the review of suspicious cases. ¶8. (SBU) CONTROVERSY CONTINUES AT FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT Former investigating judge Jean Ostrict Hercules was named February 29 to replace Central Financial Information Unit (UCREF) Director Jean-Yves Noel. Some media reports criticized Hercules for not doing enough as a sitting judge to ensure prosecutions in the murder of Radio Haiti journalist Jean Dominique and bodyguard Jean Claude Louissaint in 2000. Hercules allegedly cited personal security concerns to justify his decision to return the cases to the Civil Court. Noel, whose term recently expired, made the list of candidates, but was not recommended for selection by the National Committee against Money Laundering (CNLBA) due to questions about management and operational transparency. Noel has also been accused of blocking the transfer of suspect financial crimes cases to the investigating arm of the police -- BAFE. (Note: Minister of Justice Rene Magloire swore in Hercules at UCREF offices March 3. End note.) ¶9. (U) GOH PREPARES FOR APRIL INTERNATIONAL DONOR CONFERENCE Prime Minister Alexis presided over a meeting with donor country representatives February 26 to discuss preparations for a donor conference to be held April 25 in Port-au-Prince. The GoH plans to reach an agreement with key donors on financing the medium-term Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRSP) devised by the GoH in November. Approximately USD 4 billion will be required over a three-year period to implement the GPRSP. GoH interlocutors note the GPRSP is primed for success due to broad participation by the Haitian public and civil society, as well as consultations with the donor community. A conference secretariat, headed by former Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Anthony Dessources, has been established to organize the April conference. ¶10. (U) COMMISSION ON SECURITY PROMOTES HAITIAN MILITARY On February 19, poloffs met with journalist/historian Georges Michel, member of the Presidential Commission for Reflection on the Reinforcement of Security, a think-tank organized to explore the feasibility of reinstituting a national army in Haiti. Michel said the Commission supports the reconstitution of a small national army of about 3,000 troops, underscoring that the army would specialize in defensive warfare only. The HNP, not the army, would remain the first line in the defense of civilians, to avoid the military's past abuse of authority against civilians. The commission's final report will be released in October, and will be made available to the public. ¶11. (U) GOH PROPOSES TO INCREASE DAILY MINIMUM WAGE The GOH on February 28 announced that it wanted to increase *********************** * Missing Section 003 * ***********************