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