NAS Haiti November 2009 Monthly Report

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001016 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL HA SUBJECT: NAS Haiti November 2009 Monthly Report ¶1. This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: In the month of November 2009, there were significant developments in the capacity building of the Haitian National Police (HNP),although significant organizational development issues continue to plague the HNP. NAS also continued work on stabilization initiatives, and strategic planning. Organizational Development ¶3. (SBU) The inability of the GOH to properly plan, implement, and evaluate HNP-related budgetary requirements continues to hamper the HNP's administrative, operational, and logistical functions. Budgetary shortfalls have delayed the start of the 22nd HNP Promotion (police recruit class) and the completion of required psychological exams for the recruits is pending. ¶4. (U) Comment: Despite repeated recommendations from mentors to address issues regarding the procurement of arms, ammunition, tear gas, etc, the GOH/HNP is unprepared to meet operational readiness requirements. Due to ongoing budgetary issues, the HNP continues to have problems paying, feeding, and addressing basic quality of life issues for rank-and-file officers. End Comment. ¶5. (U) On Wednesday, 24 November, 2009, the HNP received 1200 Mac 50 9mm semi-automatic pistols, and 60,000 round of ammunition from the government of France. The firearms and ammunition should address some of the immediate concerns regarding the 20th and 21st HNP Promotions being fielded without the officers being armed. However, the ongoing issue of the GOH/HNP being unable to sustain themselves logistically remains a serious concern. Capacity Building ¶6. (U) During the monthly visit of November 8-14, 2009, the US Department of the Treasury Enforcement Team from the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) utilized the services of polygrapher Richard Keifer to polygraph the members of the Financial Crimes Unit (BAFE) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF). All personnel passed the polygraph, with the BAFE and the UCREF becoming the only units in the HNP and Ministry of Justice that have passed a polygraph exam. Additionally, the first two modules in the revision of the Haitian penal code/procedures have been reviewed and discussed by the GOH revision committee. ¶7. (U) OTA advisors and the newly arrived INL/NAS Director Platt briefed Ambassador Ken Merten on the OTA mission in Haiti. OTA advisors also advised the Ambassador on the upcoming arrests of two former Haitian officials who are being indicted on money laundering charges in the US. ¶8. (U) The NAS funded Wharf Soleil sub-commissariat project reached the 60% completion milestone. Once completed, the sub-commissariat will provide additional badly needed space to permit the HNP to work and expand their presence in Cite Soleil. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Wharf Soleil construction project could be completed by the end of December 2009. ¶9. (U) NAS engaged in planning to support the anti-kidnapping assessment team visit by the NYPD. NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly and an assessment team are scheduled to be in Haiti January 7-9, 2010, to assess and develop a HNP-centric curriculum to develop the anti-kidnapping organizational capacity of the HNP. ¶10. (U) Problems with the HNP Instructors' Barracks construction project continue. On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, the NAS staff conducted an inspection of the buildings to ascertain the status of construction. The contractor's construction superintendent is responsive, but PAE seems to be unable to get the sub-contractor to respond in a timely manner to the myriad of safety concerns noted. Stabilization Initiatives ¶11. (U) INL/NAS funded the construction of the isolation ward and rehabilitation of the infirmary at the Haitian National Penitentiary, and paid for the shipment of donated equipment and medical supplies provided by the NGO Health through Walls. However, USAID funding delays prevented the installation of x-ray and other medical equipment into the infirmary, preventing the turnover of the space to the National Penitentiary. At the time of this report, the USAID portion is projected to be completed in January, 2010. ¶12. (U) On Tuesday, 24 November, 2009, NAS accompanied Haitian Stabilization Initiative (HSI) officers on a visit to Cite Soleil along with a Brazilian delegation affiliated with the Organization for Economic and Community Development (OECD). The focus of the visit was to see the results and lessons learned of the cooperative and coordinated efforts of all participants in the HSI effort in Cite Soleil. NAS worked in coordination with HSI and other participants in a "whole of government" approach to community reconstruction and stabilization in Cite Soleil. Among the sites visited was the main commissariat in Cite Soleil, funded under the NAS-administered portion of the HSI Cite Soleil program. ¶13. (U) On Thursday, 26 November, 2009, NAS Deputy Police Advisor Laskley attended a Thanksgiving dinner and met with Dr. John P. May and Michelle Karshan, President and Vice President, respectively, of Health through Walls, a non-governmental organization (NGO) specializing in providing healthcare to inmate populations; and Maurice D. Geiger of the Rural Justice Center. The meeting focused on ways NAS could coordinate efforts with Health through Walls and the Rural Justice Center to provide improved healthcare to the inmates of the National Penitentiary utilizing the NAS sponsored infirmary and the equipment provided by Health through Walls. ¶14. (U) On Friday, 27 November 2009, NAS Deputy Police Advisor Laskley attended a health fair provided by Health through Walls and the Rural Justice Center to the inmates of the National Penitentiary. Health care workers gathered biometric and other data on inmate incarceration, and provided a basic health screening to the inmates. Strategic Planning ¶15. (U) On November 3 to 6, 2009, NAS participated in the briefing for WHA officers George Rowland and Teresa Fralish of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA). NAS accompanied the delegation to visits of the NAS construction projects at the Haitian National Penitentiary and main commissariat at Cite Soleil. Both projects were a part of the Haiti Stabilization Initiative (HSI) project. Additionally, NAS accompanied the delegation during a meeting with the Cite Soleil community group. ¶16. (U) On November 9 to 13, 2009, NAS participated in the Ohlbaum Congressional staff delegation. NAS accompanied Deanne R. Samuel and Robyn Wapner of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to visits of the NAS construction projects at the National Penitentiary and main commissariat at Cite Soleil. Both projects were a part of the HSI project. Additionally, NAS facilitated a meeting between members of the staff delegation and members of the US United Nations Police (UNPOL) contingent. The purpose of the meeting was to allow the staff delegation to gain insight and information regarding the status of the policing perspective of the mission with the US UNPOL. ¶17. (U) NAS assisted USAID with the completion of the FY 2009 Performance Review Report. MERTEN