CONTINUED ARGENTINE COMMITMENT TO HAITI AND MINUSTAH

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001792 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2016 TAGS: PREL, KPKO, UNSC, HA, AR SUBJECT: CONTINUED ARGENTINE COMMITMENT TO HAITI AND MINUSTAH REF: A. PAP 1407 B. BA 1734 C. BA 1733 Classified By: Charge d'affaires Michael Matera for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) 1. (C) Vice-MOD and Secretary for Military Affairs Jose Maria Vasquez Ocampo assured CDA August 4 of continued GOA support for Haiti and MINUSTAH. CDA spoke with Vasquez Ocampo following the Vice-MOD's participation that same day in the meeting of MOD and MFA representatives of the Latin American MINUSTAH troop-cotributing countries (ref. B). He relayed that the meeting had been successful in underlining the strong continuing support for MINUSTAH among the participants (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru). Vasquez Ocampo said that a key issue discussed was the desire on the part of a number of countries (he specifically mentioned Argentina and Brazil) to allow MINUSTAH to provide development assistance in addition to the security support role that the force currently plays. He stated that it is very important that the force be able to show that it is doing whatever it can to address the very difficult development challenges that Haiti faces, at the same time that it fulfills its peacekeeping role. Vasquez Ocampo also noted that OAS SECGEN Insulza, who attended the Aug. 4 meeting, agreed with the proposal and said he hoped to be able to facilitate this expansion of MINUSTAH's role. As he had in the CDA's meeting with him earlier in the week (ref. C), Vasquez Ocampo reiterated the GOA's strong support for the PKO mission in Haiti and for an expanded role beyond Haiti for the GOA in this field. 2. (C) PolOff spoke August 7 with the MFA's Haiti Officer in the Office of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, Elisabeth Wimpfheimer. Wimpfheimer stated that the GOA had submitted its request for continued MINUSTAH participation--maintainting the same troop levels and composition--to the Argentine Legislature. She noted that the Senate would begin debate on the request August 9, followed by debate in the Chamber of Deputies. Wimpfheimer said there would be some minority opposition but that she fully expected the measure to pass. 3. (C) Wimpfheimer echoed the Vice-MOD's comments to CDA, noting that the August 4 meeting had been very successful in affirming the continued support of the countries for MINUSTAH, and in coming to a deepening regional consensus regarding the direction they would like to see the Haiti mission take, i.e. a transition beyond security to long-term development and democratic governance. This, she said, was in response to President Preval's stated desire that the UN mission move in this direction. Wimpfheimer said that the countries of the region had much relevant experience to share with Haiti in these areas. She noted that this proposal was only in the discussion stage and that, of course, any proposed change in MINUSTAH's mandate would require negotiations with, and approval from, the UN, but that Argentina, Brazil and others would be working in this direction. MATERA