PRIME MINISTER PIERRE LOUIS RESPONDS ON RADIO

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000904 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR S, C, WHA/CAR, DRL, S/CRS, INL FOR KEVIN BROWN, HEATHER WILD AND MEAGAN MCBRIDE INR/IAA SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HA SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER PIERRE LOUIS RESPONDS ON RADIO ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis gave an address on a major radio station on October 27, ahead of her convocation at Parliament on October 29. She did not resign, as some had expected. She instead defended the record of her government, focusing on investments, job creation and the emergency funds. Her message was delivered serenely and with poignancy, giving the impression that she would defend her record before the Senate. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Prime Minister Pierre Louis addressed the nation in response to the Senate,s convocation on October 29. Pierre Louis first addressed charges that she had not responded to Parliament's requests for information on the use of USD 197 million in hurricane emergency funds, inviting the Cour des Comptes (equivalent to the Government's Accountability Office) to audit the disbursements of those funds. Pierre Louis then stressed that stability was vital to attracting investors and creating jobs. She noted that Haiti must open itself to foreign investors (citing the opportunities given by the HOPE II law) rather than deter them. She favorably noted the USG,s effort to concentrate its assistance in the sectors of agriculture, energy and health, and called for other donors to conduct assessments of their activities. She thanked former President Clinton for his work in attracting investments to Haiti, and welcomed the working visits to Haiti of Department Counselor Mills. ¶3. (U) Pierre Louis, after citing examples of initiatives undertaken by her government that she felt were under-appreciated (such as the debt relief, government reform and birth registration programs),deplored that the Senate decided to convoke her while she was abroad. While stating her respect for the Senate,s right to summon her, she went on to assert her commitment to working for the development of Haiti. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: Pierre Louis' message was structured, genuine and serene. She conveyed clearly her commitment, and that she would not give in to the Senate interpellation without a fight, stating ''I will only leave holding my head high.'' Her description of her government's achievements came across more as an attempt to set the record straight than an appeal to avoid an all but certain impeachment. MERTEN