COST OF LIVING PROTESTS CONTINUE A SECOND DAY WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000544 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR S/CRS INL FOR KEVIN BROWN AND ANGELIC YOUNG SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV HA ECON CASC ASEC SUBJECT: COST OF LIVING PROTESTS CONTINUE A SECOND DAY WITH MINUSTAH AS TARGET REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 00532 PORT AU PR 00000544 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Classified By: Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: MINUSTAH and Haitian government sources report April 4 that protests in Les Cayes are continuing for a second day at reduced but still potent levels. They warn that there is a strong possibility these demonstrations will last throughout the weekend. There have been no further protests in Gonaives. Unrest has not spread beyond these two cities although there is a report of some type of incident in Petit Goave and two UN vehicles in Port au Prince have had rocks thrown at them. Additional MINUSTAH military units and a MINUSTAH Formed Police Unit (FPU),sent to Les Cayes by Force Commander dos Santos Cruz April 3 to reinforce security, were successful in re-securing MINUSTAH's headquarters building, which was previously threatened by protesters (reftel). Meanwhile, looting and violence continues in the city as MINUSTAH and Haitian National Police (HNP) units try to protect local residents, UN staff and staff of local NGO's. No/no American citizens have been reported injured since the demonstrations began April 3. Embassy EAC held brief meeting afternoon of April 4. End Summary. ¶2. (C) MINUSTAH reports that protesting crowds in Les Cayes are reduced but still active and potentially dangerous. Crowds, estimated at more than 500 April 3, have now been reduced to smaller groups totalling about 75-100 individuals. Some of the roads in Les Cayes are still blocked, but the airport remains open. In discussion about continuing protests in Les Cayes April 4, a high-level MINUSTAH official told Poloff that early in the morning, UNPOL officers had arrested about 5 protestors who were caught in the act of using vehicles as road blocks. The individuals arrested were turned over to custody of the HNP. He noted that media reports of the numbers of wounded were exaggerated and to date, only one individual was reported by the local hospital as having been treated for a minor flesh wound. (Note: this contrasts with media reports of 15 injured, nine of them by gunfire, in Les Cayes April 3. End note). The official also told Poloff that since there is the potential the demonstrations and violence could last throughout the weekend, MINUSTAH is sending more APCs and riot control equipment to Les Cayes today. Press reports indicate a curfew has been established for tonight. ¶3. (C) The Mayor of Les Cayes reported to Poloff April 4 that the situation in his city is deteriorating, with many shops ransacked and many roads still blocked. He said he planned to hold a press conference April 4 to urge protestors to return home. HNP Deputy Commissar of the South Department Henrio Toussaint concurred, telling Emboffs that he does not have enough police officers and other resources to maintain security. He also added that he was en route to LaBorde, a small town about 6-10 miles outside of Les Cayes, and that he only had 4 police officers available to accompany him because others were needed to manage other areas of Les Cayes. ¶4. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Warden reports that no American citizens have been injured and that most Americans have remained at home since the demonstrations began. MINUSTAH has, however, ordered the evacuation of their Les Cayes-based staff from the area. Poloff was also informed that two homes of UN personnel were ransacked mid-morning April 4, and a Multimedia Center for public outreach was broken into and looted as well. (Note: No UN staff were inside the homes or the media center at the time of the break-ins since they were already evacuated. End note). The warden reported that Tortugair had cancelled a noon flight on April 3 because access roads to the airport were completely blocked, but has resumed normal flight departure and arrival schedules April ¶4. An International Organization for Migration (IOM) representative in Les Cayes told USAID officer that MINUSTAH had requested on April 3 that all IOM staff evacuate to the UN Uruguayan unit's camp; however, IOM staff was able to PORT AU PR 00000544 002.2 OF 002 agree with MINUSTAH that IOM would close their office and allow their personnel to remain at home. ¶5. (C) GOH response to the events thus far has been slow in coming. President Preval adviser Bob Manuel told the Ambassador April 4 that the government will set up a ''crisis center'' to manage the crisis on the ground and coordinate a political response. He claimed the government was preparing to reach out to persons who were behind the demonstrations, whom he said were politically, not criminally, motivated. He refused to identify these individuals. Manuel said the government knew of no plans to organize demonstrations in the capital and noted that "we know our enemies better here (in Port au Prince)." MINUSTAH does report this afternoon that two of its vehicles traveling downtown near the presidency were hit by rocks. ¶6. (C) Prime Minister Alexis, in his first public statement since the protests broke April 3, announced that the government is putting together a series of measures to address "la vie che" but offered no specifics. Senator Evelyn Cheron (who for tactical reasons ran under the Lavalas banner, but who is actually from the pro-market economy party, Movement for the Establishment of Democracy in Haiti), told the Ambassador April 4 that key Senators have developed its own relief package, including subsidized credits to small farmers, and three to six-month subsidies on basic commodities such as rice. ¶7. (SBU) Embassy held a brief EAC meeting (reported septel) prior to the weekend break and determined that no change in post security was currently warranted. Ambassador, A/DCM and RSO stressed need for continued prudence and attention to personal security and reminded participants of post's travel notification policy for all travel outside PaP. Post will continue to closely monitor situation throughout the weekend and take action as appropriate. SANDERSON