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OO RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #1393/01 2131146
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 011146Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3667
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1158
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1000
RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC PRIORITY 0535
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0958

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PORT AU PRINCE 001393 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR 
S/CRS 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR 
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) 
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL HA
SUBJECT: PREVAL DISCUSSES SECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THE 
ECONOMY WITH A/S SHANNON 
 
 
PORT AU PR 00001393  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
Classified By: Janet A. Sanderson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary.  Assistant Secretary Shannon pressed 
President Preval on July 25 to demonstrate ways the 
Government of Haiti, with international assistance, could 
address the lack of security in Port-au-Prince.  Preval said 
that Haiti needed to take control of its ports (where illegal 
arms enter), fight drug trafficking, and pursue a national 
dialogue on security to create a better environment for 
economic development.  Preval focused more on building a 
national highway network, described as his "obsession," 
hopefully with USG cooperation.  He also sought support for 
HOPE trade legislation, debt relief, and technical assistance 
for collection of customs duties.  While clearly aware of the 
immediate challenges facing his country on the security 
front, Preval still appears hesitant to take firm public 
action on this issue.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) WHA A/S Shannon, together with Ambassador Sanderson, 
met July 21 for 90 minutes with President  Preval, his senior 
advisor Bob Manuel, and economic counselor Gabriel Verret for 
a wide-ranging discussion on security, economic, and regional 
issues.  WHA/CAR Director Brian Nichols and note takers also 
attended. 
 
Fighting Haiti's Rise in Violence 
 
 
¶3.  (C) A/S Shannon stressed to Preval that improvements in 
security are critical to permit investment and economic 
development.  The lack of security  threatens not just 
stability and order but the government's plans for 
development.  Preval stated  he thought  Haiti was "on its 
way to resolving the (security) problem."  In his view, the 
violence could be attributed to gangs, drug trafficking and 
"political hands at work."  To help bring order to the 
country, Preval has named two new officials; a 
Secretary of State for Public Security and a Secretary of 
 
SIPDIS 
State for Judicial Reform.  Preval believes comprehensive 
reform both in the police and judicial system were needed to 
effect change.  Preval hopes the new officials keep the 
pressure on "violent elements."  Preval also believes that 
national dialogue is an important element in combating 
violence in Haiti.  Pointing to his handwritten notes in a 
school book, he said he is thinking of convening a conference 
with all sectors of society to discuss the 
issues of contraband, corruption, and lack of security. 
 
¶4.  (C) Preval advisor, Bob Manuel, raised the issue of 
counternarcotics, stating there was "no greater enemy to 
Haitian democracy than drug dealers."  Preval considered that 
USG interest in countering drug traffic and drug transit 
through Haitian ports appears to have diminished. 
Ambassador Sanderson said counter narcotics was still 
important, but third countries were finding other transit 
ports.  Shannon 
affirmed that the USG would welcome ways to improve 
collaboration in this area. 
 
¶5.  (C) To curb the flow of illegal arms into the country, 
Preval hoped that MINUSTAH would patrol the 
ports.  The President noted the recent seizure of a 
container of weapons  in the port.  Whether the weapons were 
for political or criminal purposes, he recognized that his 
administration "needed to get a handle on it."  Preval 
expressed disappointment over the fact that MINUSTAH would 
not agree to port protection, as that was not part of its 
mandate.  According to Manuel, however, this may change as of 
August 15th because he understands that the UN SYG would 
recommend the new MINUSTAH mandate include language 
authorizing it to "protect institutions."  Manuel and Preval 
both agree ports should be included as a public institutions. 
 
Building Haiti's National Highways 
 
 
¶6.  (C) Preval stressed repeatedly during the meeting that 
building a national highway network is a priority.   When 
asked how the international community could assist Haiti's 
 
PORT AU PR 00001393  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
democracy, Preval sprang from his seat and pulled out two 
three-by-five foot maps from the adjoining room detailing his 
vision of the national highway system, his self-described 
"obsession."  Various countries had already committed to 
building portions of the national highway and he hopes other 
countries might match France's commitment of building 100 
kilometers of roads.  The President jokingly told Shannon 
there was easily 100 kilometers of road available for the 
U.S. and the A/S could choose a name for this portion of the 
highway.  Preval himself dubbed the planned French-funded 
segment from Hinche to Cap Haitien "the road of perfect 
love." 
 
Putting Haiti on the Right Track Economically 
 
 
¶7.  (C) Preval expressed interest in Governor Bush's proposal 
that Haitian customs revenues be collected  at the port of 
embarkation in the U.S.  Two weeks ago, he met with Swiss 
company, Societe General de 
Surveillance (SGS), which previously collected customs duties 
for Haiti in Miami.  SGS told Preval that 
monitoring the flow of imports is difficult because of the 
firm's poor access to customs documentation.  Preval 
considers these duties an important source of revenue for 
Haiti and hoped to improve access to this information.    He 
pressed for this program, noting that he could not rely on 
Haitian customs to produce revenue; he believes controls are 
better in the United States.  Shannon stated that he would 
discuss the proposal with DHS in Washington, if needed, but 
first the Ambassador would follow up with the Governor's 
office to determine the status of implementation. 
 
¶8.  (C) Preval raised the issue of HOPE trade legislation for 
Haiti, noting that a trade agreement with Oman had recently 
been approved and that legislation concerning Peru would soon 
be considered by the Ways and Means Committee.  He said he 
understood prospects were good for HOPE's passage.  Shannon 
cautioned that passing trade legislation had become more 
difficult in the current political environment in Washington. 
 Preval looked disappointed and somewhat surprised.  Shannon 
added that while trade legislation was a particularly 
sensitive issue (especially during an election year), if 
trade 
legislation for Peru succeeded it would be a good sign for 
Haiti. 
 
¶9.  (C) Preval's economic advisor, Gabriel Verret, raised the 
issue of debt relief for Haiti.  Verret stated that the 
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) board had met ten days 
earlier to consider debt relief for Haiti, Bolivia, and 
Nicaragua.  Although the GOH had some problems with the 
proposal (which he said would limit Haiti's future borrowing 
to USD 30 million per year), the GOH was eager for 
forgiveness of USD 700-800 million in debt to the IDB, 
resulting in potential future savings of USD 20-30 million 
per year in debt service payments.  Verret sought USG support 
for the IDB plan.  Shannon reassured him 
that the effort to expand the G-8 debt relief proposal to the 
IDB was in fact a USG initiative. 
 
 
Comment 
- - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶10.  (C) Preval clearly has a strategic framework for 
addressing Haiti's problems that includes a structured 
partnership with the international community and building 
support among key domestic constituencies.  However, Preval's 
inherent political caution may prevent him from moving with 
the speed necessary to resolve the most pressing issues. 
Preval appears to realize that he can no longer postpone more 
decisive action on security and will likely ask MINUSTAH and 
the Haitian National Police to take a tougher line in the 
coming days.  Nevertheless, his reticence to speak out 
forcefully on security issues will leave those organizations 
alone and exposed if security operations go poorly.  End 
Comment. 
 
 
PORT AU PR 00001393  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
¶11.  (U) A/S Shannon has cleared this cable. 
SANDERSON