UNREST IN LES CAYES: MINUSTAH OFFICER FATALLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 000536

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR, DRL, S/CRS, INR/IAA
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL HA
SUBJECT: UNREST IN LES CAYES: MINUSTAH OFFICER FATALLY
SHOOTS ASSAILANT APRIL 4

REF: PORT AU PRINCE 00532

Classified By: Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson. Reason: E.O. 12958 1.4
(b),(d)


1. (C) MINUSTAH sources reported that at approximately 0700
local April 4, MINUSTAH military contingents, while clearing
roadblocks erected overnight by protesters, came under attack
by rioters throwing rocks. This occured in the southern
Haitian city of Les Cayes, site of rioting yesterday, April

3. (Note: the Force Commander had travelled to Les Cayes the
previous day to assess the situation on the ground. See
reftel. End note) MINUSTAH fired warning shots in an
attempt to disperse the crowd. In what was described as a
defensive action, a MINUSTAH military officer fatally shot
one of the Haitian assailants. Deputy UNSRSG Luis da Costa
told the Ambassador April 4 that he wa told that there some
of the crowd was armed and threatening the MINUSTAH
contingent. Several MINUSTAH sources say that MINUSTAH
patrols in the course of the rioting in Les Cayes have come
under weapons fire.


2. (C) Da Costa told Ambassador that MINUSTAH will be
investigating this incident and they intend to treat it as
strictly a MINUSTAH issue. With SRSG Annabi on his way to
New York, Da Costa is heading to Les Cayes this morning. He
has asked that all information be closely held as MINUSTAH
investigates and that we make no public statements at this
time..
SANDERSON