US embassy cable - 05PORTAUPRINCE2649

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 002649 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR 
S/CRS 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR 
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) 
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, HA, Elections 
SUBJECT: CHARLES HENRI BAKER: SAVING THE SINKING SHIP 
 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Douglas M. Griffiths for reasons 1.4 ( 
B) and (D) 
 
1. (C)   SUMMARY. On October 24, Charge met with independent 
presidential candidate Charles Henri "Charlito" Baker at his 
request.  Baker, a light-skinned Haitian who has been 
dismissed by some as the candidate of the elite, claims that 
the average Haitian cares not about skin color but about who 
will "save the sinking ship."  Faced with claims that he is 
not "Haitian" because of his heritage, Baker was insistent 
that the IGOH was specifically targeting him.  Baker accused 
the IGOH of tampering with Haitian archives in order to erase 
proof of his Haitian origin.  He specifically implicated 
Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and Interim Interior 
Minister Paul Magloire.  He also stated that many candidates, 
particularly those of rural origins, would have a difficult 
time complying with the Commission on Nationality requirement 
that they produce Haitian birth certificates for both of 
their parents.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Commission on Nationality --- 
 
2. (C)   Baker told Charge of his belief that he was the 
target of the Commission on Nationality created by Prime 
Minister Latortue.  Baker said that it was only with great 
difficulty that he was able to produce sufficient proof of 
his parents' birth in Haiti to satisfy the demands of the 
Commission.  He stated that according to Conseil des Sages 
and Electoral Support Committee member Daniele Magloire, the 
only two candidates approved thus far were himself and Paul 
Denis of OPL.  Baker stated that two different sets of 
archives, one in Plaisance and one in Port-au-Prince, were 
tampered with to hide proof of his parents' Haitian origin, 
and he accused Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and 
Interim Interior Minister Paul Magloire of conspiring against 
his candidacy to the benefit of Evans Paul, "their" 
presidential candidate. 
 
3. (C)   Baker also stated that the Commission on 
Nationality's birth certificate requirement would make it 
extremely difficult for some candidates, particularly those 
of rural origin, to prove their Haitian roots.  The Haitian 
archival system is archaic at best, and often anarchic.  He 
stated that unless the Commission limited itself to 
presidential candidates, election delays would be 
unavoidable.  Personally, Baker said that the requirement and 
the rumors concerning his eligibility were hurting his 
ability to raise funds as potential donors were adopting a 
"wait and see" approach. 
 
Industrialist of the People --- 
 
4. (C)   On issues, Baker was expansive.  He stated that 
wherever he has traveled on the campaign trail he has found a 
Haitian populace far more concerned with issues than the 
usual cynical self-interest.  He told Charge that he does not 
promise anything at his campaign events and puts the onus on 
the audience to work together to improve their local 
situation.  He claimed that this fresh approach is resonating 
throughout the Haitian countryside.  Security, police and 
justice remain everyone's top priority, said Baker, but in 
the countryside access to drainage, irrigation, roads and 
agricultural markets are major areas of concern.  Baker told 
the Charge that he would immediately revive the cultivation 
of tobacco and winter vegetables should he become president. 
He stated that preferential trade legislation for Haitian 
garment manufacturers would likely do little to revive the 
industry, as it was too weak in its current form. 
 
5. (C)   Baker stated that he had already formed an alliance 
with the Konba party of Chavannes Jean-Baptiste.  (NOTE: 
Konba, a populist party largely concerned with agrarian 
reform, is strongest in the Artibonite and Central Plateau, 
regions where Dumarsais Simeus and Rene Preval also believe 
they will run well. Baker's strength in that region is due to 
his previous work there for the U.S.-owned cigarette company 
Comme Il Faut.  END NOTE.)  He also stated that he had made 
overtures toward OPL (Paul Denis) and Fusion (Serge Gilles) 
in the hope of creating a powerful alliance before the first 
round of presidential elections.  Baker said that any 
pre-election alliances would have to be made before the 
ballots were printed.  Therefore, he speculated, the next 
couple of weeks will see frantic maneuvering and 
horse-trading.  Between Konba and his other candidates, Baker 
stated that he had the support of 8 senate candidates, a 
large number of deputy candidates, and approximately 144 
local cartels, but he was evasive about further specifics. 
 
6. (C)   Baker called former president Rene Preval an 
"assassin" and stated that he was not worried about his 
candidacy, though he speculated that former president 
Aristide would wind up supporting Preval.  He made reference 
to the infamous "swim to get out" mantra from Preval's first 
administration, in which he told the public that if they 
didn't like Haiti they were welcome to swim for it.  By 
contrast, Baker said he will ask the Haitians to work 
together to survive.  He stated that he had ethical concerns 
about Alyans candidate Evans Paul.  The Charge asked if Baker 
had received or heard of offers of financial contributions 
from narco-traffickers, and Baker replied that he would leave 
that to the other candidates. 
 
7. (C)   COMMENT.  Baker's claim of popular support may not 
be as preposterous as some believe.  Anecdotal reports credit 
him with good word of mouth, and he was able to assemble 
100,000 signatures, far more than necessary to register as an 
independent.  His independent candidacy still faces multiple 
hurdles.  An alliance between Baker, Denis and Serge Gilles 
would throw a fourth powerful constituency into play against 
Bazin, Simeus and Preval.  END COMMENT. 
GRIFFITHS