US embassy cable - 05PORTAUPRINCE2801

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002801 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA AND USOAS 
S/CRS FOR MICHELLE SCHIMPP 
TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, HA, Elections 
SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS: LARGELY PEACEFUL PREVAL MARCH 
MARRED BY HOOLIGANISM 
 
1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- protect 
accordingly. 
 
2. (SBU) Summary:  A November 3 march in support of 
presidential candidate Rene Preval attracted a largely 
peaceful, celebratory crowd of 3000.  Throughout the march, 
however, some participants reportedly vandalized property and 
harassed or robbed by-standers.  UN Police (UNPOL) arrested 
one armed individual after a woman was wounded near Bel-Air. 
UNPOL secured the march route in advance and responded 
quickly and effectively to the disturbances.  Nevertheless, 
this was the first notable incidence of violence directly 
related to a campaign event, and many of Preval's 
presidential rivals vociferously denounced Preval's failure 
to control his supporters.  Preval's L'Espwa coalition on 
November 7 released a simple public statement condemning the 
violence.  In light of the size of the march, the 
neighborhoods involved, and UNPOL's timely intervention, post 
does not view the incident as a serious indicator of campaign 
instability.  Preval's response is a disappointment, however, 
and the reaction of the other candidates may stir more 
general unease that impacts the campaign and participation in 
the electoral process.  Post will make this point to Preval 
at the next opportunity.  End Summary. 
 
3. (SBU) Supporters of former President and current candidate 
Rene Preval on November 3 organized a march that culminated 
at the CEP.  Marchers from various parts of Port-au-Prince, 
mostly from poor neighborhoods, met at the Champs de Mars in 
downtown Port-au-Prince and marched roughly two miles on a 
route north and east along Route Delmas to the CEP 
headquarters at Delmas 33.  Polcouns observed a group of 
roughly 150 festive and peaceful marchers as they passed by 
the embassy, presumably coming from the Carrefour 
neighborhood on the way to the Champs de Mars.  UNPOL's 
incident report states that armed gang members infiltrated 
the marchers near the pro-Aristide neighborhood of Bel-Air 
and opened fire, injuring a woman who was evacuated to a 
local hospital.  UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) 
military personnel immediately detained an armed suspect. 
There were several reports that other marchers to harassed 
individuals, vandalized cars and storefronts, and  engaged in 
petty thievery along the route. 
 
4. (SBU) Other presidential candidates and political figures 
took to the airwaves over the weekend of November 5-6 
denouncing Preval and warning that more violence is yet to 
come as his campaign begins in earnest.   Emboffs heard a 
variety of complaints in various settings over the weekend 
against Preval, including accusations that he had received 
orders from Aristide to re-ignite a campaign of public 
disorder.  In a November 4 conversation with Poloff, FUSION 
president Victor Benoit called the march a "violent 
demonstration" and said it was Preval's intention to 
intimidate other candidates and "terrorize the electorate." 
Preval's L'Espwa party belatedly released a one sentence 
public statement November 7 condemning the criminality that 
occurred.  A senatorial candidate from the L'Espwa party told 
Emboffs that "Lavalas infiltrated" the march to make Preval 
appear as if he condoned violence. 
 
5. (SBU) Comment:  We are encouraged by UNPOL's immediate and 
effective reaction to violence during this march through poor 
areas of the city.  L'Espwa had duly requested permission for 
the rally and coordinated security with MINUSTAH.  We do not 
believe that Preval encouraged irresponsible behavior or 
condones it.  His reaction to the incident, however, was 
tardy and insufficient, and his political opponents 
predictably  seized an opportunity to extract maximum 
political advantage.  Many Haitians believe Preval is prone 
to violence and are willing to believe the worst accusations 
against him.  As a front runner, Preval must be forthright in 
quickly and forcefully condemning any violence associated 
with his campaign.  Post will make this point to him at a 
meeting next week.  End Comment. 
CARNEY