Haiti: 2009 Country Report on Terrorism

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001070

SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/CT: RHONDA SHORE, C, WHA/CAR, DRL AND INL
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL PINR ASEC HA
SUBJECT: Haiti: 2009 Country Report on Terrorism

REF: SECSTATE 109980; SECSTATE 122733

General Assessment




1. (U) There is no evidence that Haiti is a target for
Islamic extremist activity or acts of international terrorism.
There are no existing terror cells, such as al-Qaida or any other
terrorist organizations in Haiti. No acts of international
terrorism occurred in Haiti in 2009. The Government of Haiti (GOH)
does not have a formal counterterrorism program. The Ministry of
the Interior's Office of Immigration has mechanisms in place for
immigration control and also maintains a watch-list. There are no
records of individuals included on the watch-list in 2009 who are
terrorist-related.



Safe Haven Assessments




2. (U) The GOH has no evidence that Haiti has been used as
a safe haven for terrorists or terrorist organizations in 2009.
Immigration authorities reported to Emboffs that the increase in
the number of third-country nationals using Haiti as a
transit-point for economic migration to the Dominican Republic and
the United States (and other countries) implies Haiti could be used
by terrorists as a potential zone to conduct terrorist activities
in the long term. Although the GOH believes the current threat is
marginal, authorities say its concern about terrorism may grow in
the future due to weak state institutions.



Foreign Government Cooperation




3. (U) The GOH cooperated with the United States
counterterrorism efforts in 2009. The Financial Investigative Unit
(BAFE) within the Haitian National Police and the Financial
Intelligence Unit (UCREF) within the Ministry of Justice are
cooperating with the USG in anti-money laundering initiatives to
improve the ability to detect funds acquired through criminal
activity, including funds that could be acquired through
terrorist networks. The Haitian Government drafted
counterterrorism legislation in 2008 but it was not enacted by
Parliament in 2009. The country is therefore not yet a party to
the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing
of Terrorism.



Information on Terrorist Organizations




4. (U) During 2009 in Haiti, there were no activities by
a terrorist or terrorist umbrella group that is known to be
responsible for the kidnapping or death of a U.S. citizen during
the preceding five years, known to have obtained or developed --
or to have attempted to obtain or develop -- weapons of mass
destruction, or known to be financed by a designated foreign
terrorist organization, or a known terrorist group.



(U) Post point of contact is Political Officer Gary L. Rex at
RexGL@state.gov.
LINDWALL