VZCZCXRO2724
PP RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #2065 3001645
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271645Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4417
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1264
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1101
RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC PRIORITY 0606
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1017

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002065 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/EX AND 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: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL HA
SUBJECT: STUDENT PROTEST CALLS FOR THE DEPARTURE OF MINUSTAH 
 
 
¶1.  This message is sensitive but unclassified -- protect 
accordingly. 
 
¶2. (U) Approximately 75 students from the State University of 
Haiti School of Human Sciences protested the &occupation of 
MINUSTAH8 on October 24, the day commemorating the 61st 
anniversary of the United Nations.   The student group began 
their protest at the University and marched to the site of 
the United Nations ceremony, the Haitian National Museum 
(MUPANAH) just across from the National Palace.  (Note: 
MUPANAH is considered a symbol of nationalistic pride for 
many Haitians.  End Note.)  On their return to campus, 
students clashed with the Haitian National Police 
Intervention and Order Maintenance Corps (CIMO), throwing 
rocks and setting tires afire, prompting CIMO to fire tear 
gas at the demonstrators.  Demonstrators pummeled UNPOL 
vehicles driving in the area with rocks, resulting in damage 
to three vehicles.   Radio Kiskeya and Metropole report that 
students burned an American flag in the vicinity of MUPANAH 
and chanted that United Nations was a "lackey of imperial 
nations,8 including the United States, and chanted in 
support of Hugo Chavez.  The students continued their protest 
on October 25 by blocking the entrance to their campus with 
burning tires. 
 
¶3. (U) During the student demonstration on October 24, 
Lavalas partisans and former government employees also 
protested against the GoH, demanding reinstatement of fired 
government workers.  Having started what they claim will be a 
daily protest on Monday, October 23, 20-30 Aristide 
supporters gathered at MUPANAH in the morning.  (Note: On 
October 23, roughly 100 partisans marched in front of 
government institutions including the presidential palace and 
parliament, seeking reintegration into public utility 
companies.)  While their main concern is returning to 
government employment, they supported the students, call for 
the departure of MINUSTAH. 
 
¶4. (U) The demonstration did not disturb the UN ceremony, 
attended by Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis and the 
SRSG Edmond Mulet.  Econcouns, who also attended the event, 
stated that there were no more than 80 protesters and that 
MINUSTAH had created a tight security perimeter around the 
ceremony.  The group had bullhorns and was audible to the 
audience but none of the speakers acknowledged its presence 
or addressed its demands.  According to Econcouns, they were 
an irritant but at no time physically threatening. 
 
¶5. (SBU)  Comment.  We see no signs that either the 
anti-MINUSTAH or the anti-U.S./pro-Chavez sentiments 
expressed by the students are widespread among the populace. 
While MINUSTAH has been the target of popular resentment at 
various times since its mission began in July, 2004 because 
of perceived failures to establish security, no organized 
movement opposed to MINUSTAH has ever developed.  As is usual 
in Haiti, rumors regarding "who is really behind the 
students" run rampant, comprising a list ranging from the 
Prime Minister, to pro-Aristide chimeres, to former rebel Guy 
Phillipe.  It simply appears, however, that ever-present 
"anti-globalization" student activists have settled on 
MINUSTAH as a convenient target of their anger.  However 
small their numbers, any sign of disorder accompanying public 
protest is cause for concern in Haiti and bears close 
monitoring.  End Comment. 
TIGHE