HAITI: MID-YEAR REPORT CARD FOR THE 2010 MAJORS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000579 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR INL FOR KEVIN BROWN, HEATHER WILD AND MEAGAN MCBRIDE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL KCRM ASEC HA SUBJECT: HAITI: MID-YEAR REPORT CARD FOR THE 2010 MAJORS LIST PROCESS REF: STATE 28306 PORT AU PR 00000579 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: The Haitian National Police (HNP) continue to progress slowly and overall crime is down in Haiti. The HNP are now in the fourth year of their five-year internationally-agreed reform plan. Cooperation with the USG remains high. However, HNP activities, including counternarcotics, are hampered by a lack of manpower and resources. Drug seizures are down. Budget shortfalls have made it difficult for the HNP to continue to expand its force without substantial assistance from the USG. Anti-money laundering activities are much enhanced and are now among the most successful in the Caribbean. End summary. Counternarcotics -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The HNP has continued to work alongside DEA agents to track and attempt to intercept shipments of cocaine entering Haiti primarily via clandestine flights from Venezuela as well as marijuana loads via boat from Jamaica. The HNP Counternarcotics Unit (BLTS) and the Financial Crimes Unit (BAFE) have opened four major investigations in 2009. BLTS is investigating an active duty HNP officer linked to at least eight clandestine cocaine flights, as part of a larger smuggling organization involving prominent Haitians. The BLTS is also investigating two separate clandestine flights in which the planes were subsequently burned. The pilots in one case were killed and buried in shallow graves. Fifteen persons have been detained for investigation in the latter case. The BAFE arrested Fourel Celestin, former Director General of the HNP, on money laundering charges upon his deportation to Haiti after completing his money laundering sentence in the U.S. A judge subsequently released him. The Minister of Justice has ordered him rearrested but Fourel remains on the run at this time. To date, almost no cocaine has been seized but over 1000 pounds of marijuana has been found in addition to some plants, cash and vehicles. The HNP has established closer working ties with the Jamaican Constabulary Force and is now sharing some information on smuggling operations along the southern coast of Haiti. ¶4. (U) As part of plans to increase the marine interdiction capabilities of the Haitian Coast Guard (HCG),the USG, using $500,000 of Merida Intiative funds initially, will establish a small HCG base at Port de Paix on the northern coast. This is the major departure point for smuggling boats. The GOH is coordinating with the USG to provide the land title to the site identified for construction of this base. Plans for the facility have been developed by MINUSTAH engineers and will be refined with input from the HCG and the U.S. Embassy Coast Guard and Military Liaison Offices. Construction should begin before the end of the year. Fugitive Arrests -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In 2009 two fugitives wanted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges in the U.S. have been arrested and removed to the U.S. Extradition is not allowed under the Haitian Constitution but the GOH cooperates with the USG to ensure that drug traffickers are available for prosecution in the United States. Convictions in the U.S. are used in Haiti as the basis for asset forfeiture and filing of similar charges locally. Money Laundering/Financial Crimes -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In February the GOH ratified the UN Convention for the Supression of the Financing of Terrorism. The GOH will deposit its articles of ratification in the near future. They are now conducting a review to determine what legislation must be passed in Haiti to conform to the Convention. The BAFE, working in close cooperation with DEA, continues to seize assets forfeited by convicted drug PORT AU PR 00000579 002.2 OF 002 traffickers and money launderers incarcerated in the United States. In 2009 they have seized properties and cash valued at over 5,700,000 USD. This is in addition to the 24 million USD in property seized in the last quarter of 2008. The Asset Management Fund has been created by the GOH, with 45% of the forfeited assets going to the Treasury, 15% to the Fund for asset management costs, and the remainder being made available to other entities (such as BAFE, BLTS, UCREF, etc.) involved in combating drug trafficking for use on special projects not funded under the regular budget. A short list of candidates to manage the fund has been sent to the Prime Minister to make the final selection. Once a manager is in place, a bank account will need to be opened to allow seized funds to be transferred back to the GOH. The anti-money laundering program funded by INL is now among the most effective in the Caribbean. The Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF) and the BAFE will install UNODC computer software funded by the USG this year to upgrade their ability to share information and proactively investigate corruption cases throughout the GOH. Police Reform/Development -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In February 702 cadets graduated from the HNP Police Academy following seven months of training. That brings the size of the HNP to approximately 9600. A major benchmark of progress in the security arena in Haiti is the fielding of at least 14,000 HNP by the end of 2011. With expansion of the Academy through Canadian and US support in 2008-09, this goal is potentially attainable. However, the HNP is currently experiencing problems recruiting the next class of cadets scheduled to enter the Academy in July due to severe budget shortfalls. The current class of 473 cadets should graduate in July, but that is also being delayed due to lack of funds. Currently cadets do not receive weapons or firearms training before being deployed on the streets due to the failure/inability of the HNP to purchase handguns and ammunition. TIGHE