Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTAUPRINCE904
2009-10-27 16:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Au Prince
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER PIERRE LOUIS RESPONDS ON RADIO
how-toVZCZCXRO1545 OO RUEHQU DE RUEHPU #0904 3001654 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 271654Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0473 INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 2406 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 0442 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 2117 RUEHMT/AMCONSUL MONTREAL 0422 RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC 1483 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCOWCV/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
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
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
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