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OO RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #0055/01 0111549
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111549Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7472
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 1740
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 0095
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1554
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 2344
RUEHMT/AMCONSUL MONTREAL 0243
RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC 0977
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCOWCV/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000055 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, DRL, S/CRS, INR/IAA) 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PAS AID FOR LAC/CAR 
TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL HA
SUBJECT: PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL FEELING ITS WAY 
 
REF: 07 PORT AU PRINCE 1959 
 
PORT AU PR 00000055  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
(U) This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please 
handle accordingly. 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) In an introductory call on the newly-appointed 
Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) January 9, Ambassador 
found the councilors tentatively defining their role, eager 
to partner with the U.S. and the international community, and 
anxious to receive U.S. and international assistance for 
Haiti's upcoming Senate elections.  The CEP plans to have a 
draft electoral law ready within a week, but to submit it to 
discussion with the President and with political parties 
before submitting it to Parliament.  The Ambassador 
emphasized the need for quick action on the electoral law and 
on establishing an election calendar, while assuring the CEP 
councilors of solid and continuing U.S. political and 
financial support for Haiti's electoral process.  End Summary. 
 
Mission of the CEP 
----------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Ambassador on January 9 called on the new 
Provisional Electoral Council that took office December 12 
(reftel).  All nine councilors were present.  Ambassador 
underscored the importance of the CEP's electoral mission to 
the consolidation of Haiti's democracy.  In the preparations 
for the upcoming elections for one-third of the Senate, the 
U.S. would continue its intensive engagement in and support 
of Haiti's electoral process.  CEP President Frantz-Gerard 
Verret underscored the CEP's desire to work with 
international partners such as the U.S.  Regular elections 
were essential to give Haiti's democracy firm roots.  He 
conceded that the task before them would be long and arduous. 
 Verret recapped the CEP's three-tiered mandate as covering 
the upcoming election to renew one-third of the Senate, all 
interim by-elections, and finally the indirect elections 
(reftel).  He stated that the CEP was defining its tasks, but 
that its first priorities were finalizing the draft electoral 
law, setting an electoral calendar, and clarifying the CEP 
budget. CEP Secretary General Leonel Raphael noted that the 
CEP was drawing up an ''inventory'' of their responsibilities 
and assigning individual councilors specific tasks.  Raphael 
noted that the CEP viewed the U.S. and then MINUSTAH as its 
primary international partners. 
 
Election Law/Election Calendar 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Raphael assured Ambassador that the draft electoral 
law would be ready by the end of the week of January 7, but 
would be vetted with the Executive Branch and discussed with 
certain political ''sectors'' such as political parties 
before being sent to Parliament.  He argued that these 
consultations were needed to give broad segments of society 
''ownership'' of the election process.  Raphael expressed 
doubt about the possibility and utility of setting down a 
precise election calendar at the start, since it probably 
could not hold up under the pressure of events.  Councilor 
Jasmin interjected that President Preval would have to 
approve this calendar.  He also doubted it could be adhered 
to -- except the date of the election itself.  The Ambassador 
emphasized that quick action was needed on the electoral law, 
and that a defined election calendar was needed that all 
election actors respected.  We were impressed by the avid 
interest of Haitians in elections and the election process. 
The U.S. and the international community firmly wanted to see 
movement in the election process.  President Verret said the 
U.S. ''would not be disappointed'' in that regard.  Secretary 
General Raphael also underscored that the CEP would ''manage 
its internal differences.''  The Ambassador urged them to 
speak publicly with one voice, and to establish a good 
working relationship with CEP Director General Jacques 
Bernard, a person with long experience administering 
 
PORT AU PR 00000055  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
elections. 
 
Election Assistance 
------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Several councilors inquired about the level and 
nature of USG assistance for the elections, as well as about 
international community coordination of election assistance. 
The Ambassador replied that the breakdown between technical 
and other assistance had yet to be decided and would have to 
be discussed -- while assuring them that the approximately 
USD 4 million was available.  The past practice of USG and 
other donors coordinating election assistance with MINUSTAH 
would continue.  CEP President Verret suggested that some of 
the assistance should go to increase salaries of CEP 
councilors and employees, which he deemed inadequate to the 
need for a professional electoral institution.  Secretary 
General Raphael recalled that a primary task of this 
Provisional CEP was to reinforce itself institutionally, 
including through the hiring and training of skilled staff, 
to lay the basis for a strong Permanent CEP that would 
succeed it. 
 
Comment: Anticipated Problems Ahead 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU)  The new Provisional Electoral Council, none of 
whose members has significant electoral management 
experience, is still feeling its way on its tasks and roles. 
However, from the beginning they are taking steps to protect 
their authority and limit that of the Director General.  DG 
Jacques Bernard told the Ambassador January 9 that the CEP 
had asked President Preval to revamp the CEP's by-laws to 
give the CEP rather than the Director General ultimate 
control over running elections, by mandating CEP approval of 
all major management and personnel decisions by the DG.  Such 
an arrangement would slow election preparations at every 
turn.  Post also fears that submitting the draft electoral 
law to broad public discussion will further delay the 
election process.  This also shows the nominally independent 
CEP already leaning heavily on President Preval. 
SANDERSON