This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 003150 
 
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: 10/21/2015 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC HA
SUBJECT: JEAN-JUSTE REFUSES TREATMENT OFFER, NO CHANGE IN 
CONDITION 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Timothy M. Carney for reasons 1.4 (B) 
and (D) 
 
¶1. (C)   SUMMARY.  Imprisoned priest Gerard Jean-Juste 
continues to refuse an offer by Haitian Prisons Director Marc 
Wilkens Jean to transfer him to Canape Vert hospital for 
treatment of his swollen lymph nodes.  Emboff visited 
Jean-Juste at the Prison Annex in Pacot on December 29. 
Jean-Juste confirmed that Dr. Paul Farmer took a specimen 
from the lymph nodes under his left arm, leading to Farmer's 
public diagnosis of leukemia reported in the Miami Herald on 
December 29.  Jean-Juste said he was awaiting further advice 
from Farmer, who is currently in Africa.   Emboff urged 
Jean-Juste to accept the offer for treatment at Canape Vert 
and assured him that MINUSTAH would provide the necessary 
security; however, Jean-Juste stated that Canape Vert was the 
hospital of the elite and he would not be safe there. 
Jean-Juste feels his best chance for a trial and release is 
after the elections take place, and he was worried by the 
likelihood of continued postponements.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C)   Emboff visited Gerard Jean-Juste on December 29 at 
the Prison Annex in the Pacot neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. 
 His neck remains swollen on both sides.  Jean-Juste stated 
that his health was no worse but that he was hearing 
frightening talk from his doctors.  He also said that the 
swelling around his neck occasionally impacts his hearing 
when it is particularly acute.  He confirmed the December 29 
Miami Herald report that Dr. Paul Farmer had taken a syringe 
sample from the lymph nodes under his left arm.  Farmer 
reported to the Herald that Jean-Juste is suffering from 
leukemia, but that it is not yet in an advanced stage.  On 
December 28, Farmer called Jean-Juste to tell him that his 
condition was serious but did not lay out any treatment 
options or further information.  Jean-Juste was waiting to 
hear more from Dr. Farmer, who he called an old friend. 
 
¶3. (C)   Jean-Juste told Emboff that he would not seek 
treatment at Canape Vert hospital because his people advised 
him against it and feared for his safety there.  He said 
Canape Vert was the hospital of the elite, and he could never 
be safe there.  He said that his case was different from 
former Prime Minister Neptune and former Interior Minister 
Privert, both of whom had received treatment at Canape Vert 
while in prison custody, because they were unpopular in St. 
Marc, whereas Jean-Juste was a marked man by the Haitian 
elite in Port-au-Prince.  When pressed on what would be the 
difference between MINUSTAH security at the hospital and the 
current arrangement with MINUSTAH security at the prison, he 
said simply that it was not the same thing.  He said that Dr. 
Farmer is investigating treatment options somewhere "he would 
feel at ease", such as Miami or Boston, or possibly at one of 
his clinics in Haiti.  Jean-Juste said he would feel safer at 
Dr. Farmer's clinic in Cange (a 12 hour drive from 
Port-au-Prince) than at Canape Vert hospital (less than two 
miles from his current location). 
 
¶4. (C)   Jean-Juste continues to blame members of the Interim 
Government for his imprisonment, particularly Presidential 
Chief of Staff Michel Brunache, Interim Minister of Culture 
and Communication Magalie Comeau Denis, and Secretary of 
State for the Environment Yves Andre Wainright.  He also said 
he had learned from his lawyers of a contract taken out on 
his life at the time of his arrest in the amount of three 
million gourdes. 
 
¶5. (C)  On the subject of his criminal case, Jean-Juste was 
resigned.  His legal advisors told him that the investigating 
judge would not rule until after the elections, and he was 
dismayed by the likelihood of additional postponements.  He 
said that the investigating judge was in a very difficult 
position, particularly since the IGOH had made it clear that 
it would fire judges who ruled against them, referring to the 
recent Supreme Court dismissals.  Jean-Juste has no problem 
being held over for trial, as he says there is no evidence 
against him.  He said that it was in his interest and that of 
the other political prisoners (Note: Neptune and Privert) 
that the elections be held as quickly as possible. 
 
¶6. (C)   When asked if he had a candidate, Jean Juste 
replied, "not yet, closer to the elections."  He said that 
the traditional politicians are aware that they cannot win, 
so they are trying to stretch the process out as long as 
possible.  Emboff asked if he really thought the political 
class could wait out the international community, to which he 
responded, "Not the US and the UN, but maybe France and 
Canada."  He said he hoped the elections would be held 
without violence, but he viewed the current political 
situation as similar to the violent, failed elections of 
¶1987.  He also expressed disappointment that none of the 
persons detained at the Pacot Annex were permitted to 
register to vote. 
 
¶7. (C)   COMMENT.  Jean-Juste, one of the initial and most 
vehement detractors of the electoral process, now finds 
himself hoping for elections and, presumably, a Preval 
victory.  His security concerns vis a vis Canape Vert 
hospital appear unfounded.  However, on December 29, Prime 
Minister Latortue gave Charge a guarantee that any medical 
professional of Jean-Juste's choosing would be authorized to 
visit him and take part in any medical procedures/tests at 
Canape Vert hospital.  END COMMENT. 
CARNEY