VZCZCXRO3333
PP RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #1688/01 2911657
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181657Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7073
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1674
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1488
RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC PRIORITY 0919
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1333

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001688 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR 
S/CRS 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR 
INR/IAA 
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC MARR MOPS KCRM KPKO HA
SUBJECT: CITE SOLEIL: EXCUSES, BLAME OUTWEIGH NEW SOLUTIONS 
 
REF: PORT AU PRINCE 1235 
 
PORT AU PR 00001688  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please 
protect accordingly. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Summary:  Peace in Cite Soleil remains fragile as 
MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police (HNP) struggle with 
mandate and capacity issues in their fight to control gang 
activities.  MINUSTAH troops insist they are not easing 
pressure on the gangs but that because of their limited 
arrest mandate, they permit known gang members to wander the 
streets.  The HNP could help alleviate the gang problem but 
faces shortage of manpower and equipment.   Recognizing these 
limitations, it is important for MINUSTAH and the HNP to 
continue looking for ways to suppress criminal gangs and 
unite the community against gang activity.  End summary. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  Poloff and ARSO on October 10 attended the weekly 
Cite Soleil security coordination meeting at Strong Point 16 
(SP16).  This group meets weekly to confer on security in 
Cite Soleil (reftel).  MINUSTAH Civil Affairs Coordinator for 
Red Zones Martha Cordoba chaired the meeting.  Other 
attendees included one Canadian UNPol, HNP commissar for Cite 
Soleil Aristide Rosemond, several members of the Brazilian 
battalion (BraBat) permanently posted in Cite Soleil, and 
representatives of MINUSTAH's Community Violence Reduction 
(CVR) and Human Rights sections. 
 
¶4. (SBU)  UNPol and HNP gave readouts of the previous week's 
activities.  Canadian UNPol Bouchard reported that most 
reported crimes were assaults against women perpetrated by 
men.  On October 7, a joint UNPol, HNP and BraBat team 
cordoned off the Boston neighborhood and performed a sweep 
for weapons and criminals.  The sweep resulted in two 
arrests.  (Note: Former MINUSTAH Civil Affairs Coordinator 
for Red Zones Jean-Philippe Laberge reported to Poloff 
October 5 that a team of 300 HNP and MINUSTAH performed three 
similar sweeps over the preceding week, but no arrests or 
weapons seizures resulted.  End note.)  Since September 29, 
the Cite Soleil justice of the peace had issued 69 warrants 
resulting in 21 arrests.  Commissar Rosemond said the HNP 
executes daily patrols in conjunction with BraBat in several 
main neighborhoods (specifically Boston, Belincourt, Ti Ayiti 
and Wharf Soleil). 
 
¶5. (SBU)  Noting a perceived increase in the visibility and 
boldness of gang members, ARSO asked whether MINUSTAH patrols 
had lessened in recent weeks.  BraBat's Lieutenant Commander 
Carlos Weizel said BraBat is still patrolling at the same 
levels as previous months, but the shift to more foot patrols 
means they are less visible and unable to cover as much 
ground.  The foot patrols, however, allow for better contact 
with the community.  Weizel also said that although BraBat 
knows certain people are gang members, they cannot legally 
arrest them unless they catch them committing an illegal act. 
 He noted that lynching by the population is common and 
widely accepted in Cite Soleil.  He also said gangs, after 
months of studying BraBat, are learning to carry out their 
activities ''under the radar.''  UNPol Bouchard added that it 
isdifficult to prove someone is part of a gang, and hat 
arbitrary arrests without the necessary evidnce or official 
complaints become human rights issues.  (Note: Acting SRSG 
Luiz da Costa told Ambassador that MINUSTAH presence has not 
changed in Cite Soleil, although tactics have.  End note.) 
 
¶6. (SBU)  Commissar Rosemond stated the HNP has the will but 
not the means to carry out its functions in Cite Soleil.  He 
complained his officers have no police station and also lack 
vehicles, protective gear, means of communication and basic 
office supplies.  Bouchard noted that the HNP workload is 
heavy at SP16, and the three HNP stationed there each day do 
the best they can to keep up with the complaints brought to 
them.  Poloff described USG plans to convert SP16 to a 
commissariat, of which Commissar Rosemond claimed to be 
ignorant.  Cordoba added that in the interim, MINUSTAH Civil 
Affairs has agreed to implement a quick impact project (QIP) 
to build HNP office space at SP16.  (Note: NAS suggested the 
QIP as a way to allow the HNP to increase their presence in 
Cite Soleil before the full police commissariat is completed. 
 
PORT AU PR 00001688  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 MINUSTAH agreed to employ local contractors frequently used 
the International Organization for Migration (IOM).  The 
project should begin in the next four to six weeks.  End 
note.) 
 
¶7. (SBU)  Cordoba noted that all of these issues had been 
raised many times and were well understood by all involved. 
She called on the group to focus on pushing the population - 
which is still living under the control of gangs - to work 
together with MINUSTAH and HNP to curb the gang problem.  She 
proposed that the October 17 meeting focus on positive steps 
to halt the deterioration of security in Cite Soleil, rather 
than rehashing known obstacles. 
 
¶8. (SBU)  Following the meeting, Cordoba questioned Poloff on 
the Embassy's understanding of the HNP's plan for Cite 
Soleil.  She had heard the USG was concerned the HNP would 
not commit officers to Cite Soleil and therefore might not 
build police stations after all.  Poloff assured her that the 
Haiti Stabilization Initiative (HSI) program would convert 
SP16 to a police station following the signing of an LOA 
between the USG and the GoH, as well as receipt of assurance 
of GoH ownership of the land.  UNPol Bouchard also expressed 
skepticism that the USG would follow through on plans for 
SP16, repeatedly saying, ''Build us a police station,'' and 
''Just give me a date when you'll break ground.''  (Note: 
The blueprint for construction at SP16 is currently with 
Director General of the HNP Mario Andresol for his review. 
Along with his approval of the construction plans, NAS will 
secure Andresol's guarantee that if HSI builds the 
commissariat, the HNP will staff it.  HSI and NAS briefed 
UNPol Bouchard on the project status September 20.  End note.) 
 
¶9. (SBU)  Comment:  MINUSTAH and the HNP have been rehashing 
the same complaints for months.  BraBat is frustrated by 
complaints that they are remiss in their efforts to curb 
criminal gangs; the HNP is making excuses for their feeble 
presence in Cite Soleil.  Cordoba is right -- it is time to 
focus on ways to control the situation with the means at 
hand, given all the obstacles.  Cite Soleil is symbolic of 
the improved security situation in Haiti and a relapse could 
have negative ripple effects throughout the country. 
SANDERSON