VZCZCXRO7795
PP RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #1996/01 3551247
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211247Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7397
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1731
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1545
RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC PRIORITY 0968
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1381

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001996 
 
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 KDEM HA
SUBJECT: JACQUES BERNARD APPOINTED ELECTORAL COUNCIL 
DIRECTOR GENERAL (AGAIN) 
 
REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 1959 
     ¶B. 06 PORT AU PRINCE 2374 
 
PORT AU PR 00001996  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U)  This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please 
protect accordingly. 
 
¶2. (SBU)  Summary: In an important step forward for Haitian 
elections, the GOH on December 14 issued a decree naming 
Jacques Bernard Director General of the Provisional Electoral 
Council (CEP).  Prime Minister Alexis presided over the 
official "installation" of Bernard December 19.  The newly 
elected president of the CEP used the opportunity to speak 
about the need for efficient elections, reinforcement of the 
structure of the electoral institution, and transparent and 
financially sound spending.  Upon stepping back into the job 
he filled for most of 2006, Bernard noted the urgency of a 
new electoral law, and claimed elections could take place 90 
days after Parliament passes the law.  Thus far, the rapport 
between Bernard and the councilors is amicable, but they must 
all employ their authorities cautiously to avoid conflicts 
that could hamper the electoral process.  End summary. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  The GOH on December 14 issued a decree signed by 
President Preval, Prime Minister Alexis and Minister of 
Justice Magloire naming Jacques Bernard Director General of 
the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).  Prime Minister 
Alexis presided over the official "installation" of Bernard 
at CEP headquarters on December 19.  The nine new councilors, 
as well as former CEP President Max Mathurin, attended the 
ceremony, along with Minister of Justice Rene Magloire, 
Minister of Interior Paul Antoine Bien-Aime, and several 
members of the Haitian Senate.  (Note: Bernard served as DG 
from October 2005 to December 14, 2006, at which point he 
resigned, stating that with the completion of local and 
municipal elections on December 3 he had fulfilled his 
duties.  Bernard said at the time that his discomfort with 
the irregular expenditures of some councilors hastened his 
resignation.  See ref B.  End note.) 
 
¶4. (U)  PM Alexis emphasized that it was Bernard's first 
appearance as DG that gave legitimacy to President Preval and 
the Parliament, and said he had no doubt Bernard would meet 
Preval's expectations and "deliver the goods" this time 
around.  Alexis reminded the nine councilors that they are 
responsible to the entire nation, not just the sectors that 
nominated them.  Newly elected CEP President Frantz-Gerard 
Verret underscored the need for effective elections, and 
asked his fellow councilors to adhere to the institution's 
regulations and make it stronger.  He also called for 
transparent and financially sound spending on the part of the 
CEP.  Verret noted that their final target is the completion 
of the indirect elections, culminating in the installation of 
the permanent CEP.  He then turned to Bernard and advised him 
that his mission as DG is to supervise the CEP staff. 
 
¶5. (SBU)  Bernard began his brief remarks by thanking the 
staff and volunteers who had made the 2006 elections 
possible, noting that he had not had an opportunity to do so 
prior to his departure.  He said his primary mission was the 
senate elections, and repeatedly carged that this CEP must 
"deliver the goods."  A a small celebration in his office 
following the ceremony, Bernard told several Senators and 
members of the diplomatic corps that a new elections law is 
imperative.  Senate Vice President Edmonde Supplice Beauzile 
urged Bernard to send the draft law to the Parliament quickly 
so they could begin their review.  Bernard told Poloffs 
separately that the CEP's draft law needed only minor 
tweaking and would be ready for Parliament to consider in 
January.  He had already spoken to several members of 
Parliament and was confident they could pass the law quickly. 
 He stated he would be able to hold senate elections 90 days 
after the law's passage.  Bernard noted several other 
pressing needs at the CEP, including rehiring the members of 
the communal electoral offices (BECs) dismissed by the 
previous CEP and compensating CEP staff who had not been paid 
for several months.  He admitted he had not yet assessed the 
CEP's current financial condition. 
 
 
PORT AU PR 00001996  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶6. (U)  The nine new councilors on December 18 voted on 
leadership positions within the council.  Frantz-Gerard 
Verret received five out of nine votes for President of the 
CEP.  Verret is the representative of the Catholic Bishops' 
conference and a close friend of Preval, as well as the 
cousin of Preval's economic advisor Gabriel Verret.  The 
council elected Rodol Pierre, representative of "popular 
organizations," as Vice President; Pastor Leonel Raphael from 
the Protestant Federation as Secretary General; and Gaillot 
Dorsainvil from the handicapped sector as Treasurer. 
 
¶7. (SBU)  Comment:  Bernard's name has been circulating for 
months as the likely DG, so his nomination comes as no 
surprise.  His installation is an important step in getting 
the delayed electoral process moving.  In light of the 
previous CEP's history of infighting and antagonism toward 
the DG, a lingering concern of the international community, 
the CEP councilors and Jacques Bernard himself is the ability 
of the new council and DG to work together harmoniously.  CEP 
President Verret's December 19 speech, in which he carefully 
limited references to Bernard's authority, was perhaps an 
attempt to lay down a warning that the CEP councilors will 
not be dictated to by the DG.  Bernard will need to step 
lightly around the councilors to avoid the clashes he had 
with the previous council. 
TIGHE