US embassy cable - 05PORTAUPRINCE2618

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 002618 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
WHA ALSO FOR USOAS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, HA, Elections 
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: SIMEUS VOWS FIGHT TO STAY IN RACE 
 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Timothy M. Carney for reasons 1.4(b) an 
d (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Presidential candidate Dumarsais Simeus met 
with Charge d,Affairs Carney on October 18 to discuss his 
campaign, the controversy regarding his dual nationality, and 
the general status of elections preparations.  Simeus judged 
that the Supreme Court had settled the  issue of dual 
nationals' eligibility to run for office in Haiti by ruling 
in his favor: he would fight "with his life" further efforts 
to exclude him.  The registration process had been successful 
enough to legitimize the elections but the Provisional 
Electoral Council (CEP) was incompetent and should be 
"fired."  Though the Charge stressed that the U.S. could not 
take a position on Haitian legal matters, Simeus asked for 
U.S. support in forcing the Prime Minister to accept the 
Supreme Court's decision in to re-instate his candidacy. 
End. Summary. 
 
2. (C) In light of the Haitian Supreme Court's unanimous 
ruling, Simeus declared he would fight any attempt to keep 
his name off the ballot with all his available resources. 
Simeus claimed that most Haitians did not care whether a 
candidate is a dual national, and that he was steadily 
gaining support among Haiti's masses.  He warned that further 
moves by the Interim Government of Haiti (IGOH) to prevent 
his candidacy could derail the elections. 
 
3. (C) The Charge congratulated Mr. Simeus on the decision of 
the Supreme Court and wished him success in the campaign, but 
stressed that the U.S. has no preferred candidate.  He 
further pointed out that the U.S. could not intervene in 
Haitian constitutional dispute.  Simeus bitterly denounced 
the Prime Minister, accusing him of trying to preserve 
Haiti's failed political culture rather than protecting the 
constitution.   Simeus continued that the PM and his 
government were themselves "illegal" and only in power as a 
result of the international intervention.  Simeus asked that 
the USG and the international community press the Prime 
Minister to accept the Supreme Court's decision approving his 
candidacy and to cease further actions to prevent him from 
running.  Polcouns reiterated Charge,s earlier point that 
the USG could not take a position on internal Haitian legal 
matters, but that we continued to urge the IGOH to focus on 
ensuring that elections took place on time. 
 
4. (C)  The Charge asked Simeus whether Haiti could carry off 
credible elections under current conditions.  Simeus believed 
that with over 3 million registered voters, election results 
would be credible if the campaign ran smoothly otherwise. 
(Note: the final tally of registered voters will likely 
exceed 3.25 million. End Note.)  He felt that the CEP had 
failed repeatedly to meet its obligations and should be 
"fired" and that the UN should immediately take over the 
elections process.  (Comment. Simeus also made this case at a 
dinner with other presidential candidates held for visiting 
S/CRS Director Pascual and WHA/PDAS Duddy.  The other 
candidates agreed that the CEP had failed, but all argued 
that its role must be preserved.  End Comment.)  CEP members 
were pursuing narrow personal and political interests, rather 
than those of the whole country. 
 
5. (C) Comment:  Mr. Simeus called Polcouns the following 
morning to repeat his request that the U.S. government 
support the decision of the Haitian Supreme Court and said 
that his campaign team would "circle back" in Washington to 
push for this support.  Polcouns repeated the message that 
the U.S. would stay clear of Simeus, personal dispute, but 
urge the IGOH to maintain its focus on successful elections. 
 
 
 
CARNEY