US embassy cable - 05PORTAUPRINCE1547

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001547 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, HA, Security Situation 
SUBJECT: HAITIANS CONSIDER LEAVING; PUT AFFAIRS IN ORDER 
 
1.   While Haiti has yet to see a run on airline tickets and 
long lines at the Dominican border, many Haitians have been 
putting their affairs in order or at least hedging their 
bets.  Eight locally engaged staff have resigned at USAID in 
the past four months, four since the kidnapping of a USAID 
employee in early May.  Within the Embassy, two Consular LES 
and two GSO workers have resigned this month, and one IT 
systems staff member has given notice of his impending 
immigration to Canada.  Approximately eight local guard force 
employees have left Haiti with their families in the past few 
months due to insecurity, including three bodyguards.  In the 
larger community, the Consular Section has recently seen an 
increase in inquiries to NIV for premature visa renewals, as 
well as an increase in walk-ins to ACS by Amcits looking for 
visas for their domestic employees.  An American Airlines 
representative told EconCouns that their planes departing 
Haiti are carrying at least ten percent more passengers than 
normal for this time of year, which she attributed almost 
entirely to emigration.  Lastly, after a four month lull, the 
Coast Guard has intercepted and repatriated 310 migrants in 
the past month. 
 
2.   These data hardly represent statistical evidence of an 
impending mass exodus.  According to the Groupe d'Appui Aux 
Repatries et Refugies (GARR), a non-profit that supports 
refugees and repatriated Haitians, activity at the Dominican 
border crossings has been normal, and more Haitians are being 
returned by the Dominicans than are leaving.  However, 
anecdotal reports from the political elite, the business 
community, and the Haitian middle class corroborate this 
trend of preparation to leave Haiti.  Many LES at post, 
including at least 11 in the Management section, have laid 
all of the groundwork for a swift and permanent departure 
should the situation deteriorate further.  Other Haitians who 
lack the means or cannot easily uproot are at least sending 
their children out of the country for the summer.  In 
previous instances of unrest, Haitians have scoffed at 
American drawdowns and travel warnings, but they appear to be 
taking this one more seriously. 
 
3.   COMMENT.  One statement often heard these days is "This 
is the worst it has ever been."  Whether this is an example 
of Haiti's affinity for hyperbole or a testament to her 
remarkable tolerance for misery, room still exists for the 
situation to get even worse.  Haitians talk a mean game about 
their plans to pack it in if things do not change, but they 
rarely back it up.  Post believes that the situation may 
indeed be different this time.  Violent crime, carjackings 
and kidnappings are rampant and now appear to 
indiscriminately target Haitians and foreigners alike.  The 
Embassy's LES are extremely worried.  The economy continues 
to languish and risks being crippled by gang activities in 
the industrial areas.  Unfortunately, the only Haitians who 
are not looking for a way out are the ones who stand to 
profit from the anarchy - the greedy, the corrupt, and the 
power-hungry.  However, Haitians are cognizant of the fact 
that it would not take much to put an end to the current 
disorder, which may be what is holding them in place.  They 
may be pinning their hopes on improved performance by 
MINUSTAH or on the intervention of a third party.  END 
COMMENT. 
FOLEY