VZCZCXYZ0022
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPU #1016/01 3431745
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091744Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0081
INFO RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001016 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL HA
SUBJECT: NAS Haiti November 2009 Monthly Report 
 
¶1. This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) Summary: In the month of November 2009, there were significant 
developments in the capacity building of the Haitian National 
Police (HNP), although significant organizational development 
issues continue to plague the HNP. NAS also continued work on 
stabilization initiatives, and strategic planning. 
 
 
 
Organizational Development 
 
¶3. (SBU) The inability of the GOH to properly plan, implement, and 
evaluate HNP-related budgetary requirements continues to hamper the 
HNP's administrative, operational, and logistical functions. 
Budgetary shortfalls have delayed the start of the 22nd HNP 
Promotion (police recruit class) and the completion of required 
psychological exams for the recruits is pending. 
 
¶4. (U) Comment: Despite repeated recommendations from mentors to 
address issues regarding the procurement of arms, ammunition, tear 
gas, etc, the GOH/HNP is unprepared to meet operational readiness 
requirements. Due to ongoing budgetary issues, the HNP continues to 
have problems paying, feeding, and addressing basic quality of life 
issues for rank-and-file officers.  End Comment. 
 
¶5. (U) On Wednesday, 24 November, 2009, the HNP received 1200 Mac 
50 9mm semi-automatic pistols, and 60,000 round of ammunition from 
the government of France.  The firearms and ammunition should 
address some of the immediate concerns regarding the 20th and 21st 
HNP Promotions being fielded without the officers being armed. 
However, the ongoing issue of the GOH/HNP being unable to sustain 
themselves logistically remains a serious concern. 
 
Capacity Building 
 
¶6. (U) During the monthly visit of November 8-14, 2009, the US 
Department of the Treasury Enforcement Team from the Office of 
Technical Assistance (OTA) utilized the services of polygrapher 
Richard Keifer to polygraph the members of the Financial Crimes 
Unit (BAFE) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF).  All 
personnel passed the polygraph, with the BAFE and the UCREF 
becoming the only units in the HNP and Ministry of Justice that 
have passed a polygraph exam.  Additionally, the first two modules 
in the revision of the Haitian penal code/procedures have been 
reviewed and discussed by the GOH revision committee. 
 
¶7. (U) OTA advisors and the newly arrived INL/NAS Director Platt 
briefed Ambassador Ken Merten on the OTA mission in Haiti.  OTA 
advisors also advised the Ambassador on the upcoming arrests of two 
former Haitian officials who are being indicted on money laundering 
charges in the US. 
 
¶8. (U) The NAS funded Wharf Soleil sub-commissariat project reached 
the 60% completion milestone. Once completed, the sub-commissariat 
will provide additional badly needed space to permit the HNP to 
work and expand their presence in Cite Soleil. Barring any 
unforeseen circumstances, the Wharf Soleil construction project 
could be completed by the end of December 2009. 
 
¶9. (U) NAS engaged in planning to support the anti-kidnapping 
assessment team visit by the NYPD.  NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly 
and an assessment team are scheduled to be in Haiti January 7-9, 
2010, to assess and develop a HNP-centric curriculum to develop the 
anti-kidnapping organizational capacity of the HNP. 
 
¶10. (U) Problems with the HNP Instructors' Barracks construction 
project continue.  On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, the NAS staff 
conducted an inspection of the buildings to ascertain the status of 
construction.  The contractor's construction superintendent is 
responsive, but PAE seems to be unable to get the sub-contractor to 
respond in a timely manner to the myriad of safety concerns noted. 
 
 
 
Stabilization Initiatives 
 
¶11. (U) INL/NAS funded the construction of the isolation ward and 
rehabilitation of the infirmary at the Haitian National 
Penitentiary, and paid for the shipment of donated equipment and 
medical supplies provided by the NGO Health through Walls. 
However, USAID funding delays prevented the installation of x-ray 
and other medical equipment into the infirmary, preventing the 
turnover of the space to the National Penitentiary. At the time of 
this report, the USAID portion is projected to be completed in 
January, 2010. 
 
¶12. (U) On Tuesday, 24 November, 2009, NAS accompanied Haitian 
Stabilization Initiative (HSI) officers on a visit to Cite Soleil 
along with a Brazilian delegation affiliated with the Organization 
for Economic and Community Development (OECD).  The focus of the 
visit was to see the results and lessons learned of the cooperative 
and coordinated efforts of all participants in the HSI effort in 
Cite Soleil.  NAS worked in coordination with HSI and other 
participants in a "whole of government" approach to community 
reconstruction and stabilization in Cite Soleil. Among the sites 
visited was the main commissariat in Cite Soleil, funded under the 
NAS-administered portion of the HSI Cite Soleil program. 
 
¶13. (U) On Thursday, 26 November, 2009, NAS Deputy Police Advisor 
Laskley attended a Thanksgiving dinner and met with Dr. John P. May 
and Michelle Karshan, President and Vice President, respectively, 
of Health through Walls,  a non-governmental organization (NGO) 
specializing in providing healthcare to inmate populations; and 
Maurice D. Geiger of the Rural Justice Center. The meeting focused 
on ways NAS could coordinate efforts with Health through Walls and 
the Rural Justice Center to provide improved healthcare to the 
inmates of the National Penitentiary utilizing the NAS sponsored 
infirmary and the equipment provided by Health through Walls. 
 
¶14. (U) On Friday, 27 November 2009, NAS Deputy Police Advisor 
Laskley attended a health fair provided by Health through Walls and 
the Rural Justice Center to the inmates of the National 
Penitentiary.  Health care workers gathered biometric and other 
data on inmate incarceration, and provided a basic health screening 
to the inmates. 
 
 
 
Strategic Planning 
 
¶15. (U) On November 3 to 6, 2009, NAS participated in the briefing 
for WHA officers George Rowland and Teresa Fralish of Western 
Hemisphere Affairs (WHA).  NAS accompanied the delegation to visits 
of the NAS construction projects at the Haitian National 
Penitentiary and main commissariat at Cite Soleil.  Both projects 
were a part of the Haiti Stabilization Initiative (HSI) project. 
Additionally, NAS accompanied the delegation during a meeting with 
the Cite Soleil community group. 
 
¶16. (U) On November 9 to 13, 2009, NAS participated in the Ohlbaum 
Congressional staff delegation.  NAS accompanied Deanne R. Samuel 
and Robyn Wapner of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to visits 
of the NAS construction projects at the National Penitentiary and 
main commissariat at Cite Soleil.  Both projects were a part of the 
HSI project.  Additionally, NAS facilitated a meeting between 
members of the staff delegation and members of the US United 
Nations Police (UNPOL) contingent.  The purpose of the meeting was 
to allow the staff delegation to gain insight and information 
regarding the status of the policing perspective of the mission 
with the US UNPOL. 
 
¶17. (U) NAS assisted USAID with the completion of the FY 2009 
Performance Review Report. 
MERTEN