VZCZCXRO1191
RR RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #0623/01 1201845
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291845Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8095
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000623 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, INL FOR KEVIN BROWN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR HA
SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN MEEK MEETING WITH PRESIDENT PREVAL 
 
¶1.  This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please protect 
accordingly. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Summary: Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) discussed with 
President Preval April 21 the U.S. government's commitment to 
Haiti's development and his commitment to advocate for HOPE II 
legislation.  Preval described Haiti's most important issues as 
fighting drug trafficking, acquiring Temporary Protective Status 
(TPS) and passing Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through 
Partnership Encouragement II Act legislation (HOPE II).  Preval 
explained the recent civil commotion in Haiti fueled by the rising 
cost of living and stated that criminal elements were behind the 
demonstrations that caused violence.  Preval stated that the rising 
cost of food has caused demonstrations around the globe.  He held 
out increased production of food in Haiti as the solution to rising 
food prices here, which he said would also create jobs.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶3. (U) Congressman Meek met with President Preval accompanied by the 
Ambassador, Congressional Staffer Shirlee Lafleur, and Embassy 
Control Officer Young (note taker). President Preval was accompanied 
by his advisors Gabriel Verret and Paul Denis and HOPE-CMO Executive 
Director Georges Sassine. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Congressmen opened the meeting by encouraging President 
Preval to continue to push for progress in Haiti. The President laid 
out the most pressing issues in Haiti, beginning with the fight 
against drug smuggling.  Criminal drug elements took advantage of 
legitimate demonstrations against the rising cost of living two 
weeks ago and turned them violent.  He stressed that even though the 
Government of Haiti (GoH) will hold senatorial elections, there will 
not be peace if the drug smuggling issue remained unresolved.  He 
stated that Haiti must fight against powerful drug cartels use of 
Haiti as a transit country for drugs from South America.  Haiti 
needs USG assistance in countering drug smuggling and asked 
specifically what the U.S. Congress could do to advance the 
country's fight. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The President's second priority was the desire to obtain 
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian victims of natural 
disasters such as hurricanes.  Preval said that he was more afraid 
of the damage from a hurricane than that from demonstrators. 
Demonstrators could be managed but not hurricanes. 
 
¶6. (U) President Preval's final issue was the passage of HOPE II 
legislation.  He declared that the extension of the HOPE trade bill 
could create jobs and increase purchasing power in the midst of 
rising food prices. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The President presented increased domestic agricultural 
production as the solution to easing the harsh impact of rising food 
prices on the masses.  Fertilizer and the mechanization of the 
agriculture industry are necessary to secure long-term agricultural 
production in Haiti.  He hoped the international community (U.S., 
Canada, World Bank and IDB) would help with subsidies to reduce the 
prices of basic food items, notably rice, for six months.  Rice is 
the main staple for Haitians and an important symbol.  President 
Preval noted Haitians consume 30,000 tons of rice, 2,000 tons of 
wheat and 7,000 tons of cooking oil per month.  In a span of three 
weeks, the price of rice per ton increased from 600 USD to over 1000 
USD.  The President asked whether the USG could subsidize U.S. 
producers to allow sale of rice to Haitian importers at 600 USD per 
ton (the sale price as of two months ago).  President Preval also 
stated that he would work with the Haitian private sector to meet 
the immediate food needs of the people.  Preval rejected removing 
taxes on basic food items, as it will take away the ability of the 
GoH to support itself.  He said the solution is to find assistance 
"outside" of the GoH's budget in order to come through a difficult 
time. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Preval shared the outcome of Secretary of State for 
Agriculture Joanas Gue's recent return from Venezuela. Gue traveled 
there to negotiate the purchase of 10,000 tons of urea (used in 
fertilizer) for one year.  The GoH intended to purchase the urea but 
the President said that Venezuela decided to donate it.  The first 
shipment was expected on April 22.  Haiti would like to purchase 
fertilizer from other sources such as the U.S., Canada and 
Argentina. 
 
¶9. (SBU) The President told Congressman Meek that he would convene 
political party leaders to obtain their agreement on selecting a new 
government. (Note: The Senate fired former Prime Minister 
Jacques-Edouard Alexis in response to his government's response to 
the food crisis in Haiti. End note.)  He would meet with 
parliamentarians on April 22 to explain that the food crisis is a 
worldwide problem and share his food proposal to soften the blow on 
the Haitian economy. 
 
PORT AU PR 00000623  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶10. (U) Congressman Meek responded that he is "110 percent" 
committed to Haiti.  There has been progress in Haiti but that it 
needed more.  The food crisis is taking place around the world, 
including in his district in southern Florida. 
 
¶11. (U) The Congressman told the President that one of his principal 
reasons for the visit was to gather more information on the need for 
HOPE II to be prepared to meet the challenge of passing the 
legislation before Congress.  He suggested that Secretary Rice, 
Ambassador Sanderson and the President himself discuss the best time 
for a visit to the U.S. to personally advocate for HOPE II. 
Congressman Meek told President Preval he looks forward to working 
with Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Congressman Charles 
Rangel to focus attention in Washington on HOPE II.  He stated that 
he would spend the remainder of his time in Congress moving 
President Preval's agenda forward. 
 
¶12. (SBU) The Congressman referred to his desire to bring more 
Washington delegations to Haiti.  In response to the President's 
plea for stronger USG action to counter drug trafficking, 
Congressman Meek said he will return with the Commander of SOUTHCOM 
to bring more attention to the problem.  Preval stressed that all 
projects to improve Haiti's fragile democracy will not be beneficial 
if the drug smuggling issue is not tackled first. 
 
¶13. (U) Congressman Meek assured the President that he would raise 
his visit to Haiti with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and remind 
her of Haiti's needs, especially in regard to HOPE II.  Congressman 
Meek told President Preval to "sound the alarm" to show the 
international community the urgency of the economic situation in 
Haiti.  The Congressman closed the meeting by stating, "with crisis 
comes opportunity." 
 
¶14. Congressman Meek did not have an opportunity to clear this cable 
prior to his departure from Port-au-Prince Monday, April 21. 
 
SANDERSON