ADDI TALKING POINTS ON HAITI FOR HPSCI

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00874R000300260008-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 6, 2012
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: July 13, 1987
• Content Type: REPORT

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eimmau....111
13 July 1987
ADDI TALKING POINTS ON HAITI FOR HPSCI
Haiti's ruling council probably can survive the current
political crisis as long as its military support remains intact,
but opposition vows to boycott elections unless the government
_resigns could derail the transition to ci-vilian rule.
The cause of the month-long crisis was the council's attempt
to take control of local and national election preparations away
from the independent commission that was mandated by the
constitution.
-- The military-dominated council's action stemmed from its
concern about losing control of the election process to
civilians on the commission.
Pressured by a general strike and violent protests, the
council reversed itself on 2 July and restored full authority to
the commission to organize and oversee the elections.
Despite the council's concessions, many Haitians continue
to doubt the government's commitment to democracy because
of its apparent willingness to disregard the
constitution, approved overwhelmingly in a referendum in
March.
Public outrage over the Army's handling of unrest, in
which at least 23 people were killed and over 100
injured, also has undercut the council's attempt to
repair its credibility and stabilize the security
situation. Most casualties were inflicted by the
military, according to US Embassy reports.
There are signs, however, that tensions are easing despite
continuing demands by some opposition leaders that the council
resign.
- Contrary to some press accounts, the US Embassy says the
demonstration last Friday in Port-au-Prince did not
attract the support hoped for by its organizers. Although
Haitian security officials expected 50,000 demonstrators,
the Embassy estimates that only 5,000 people took part in
the protest.
--steRgz.
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-- US officials believe most Haitians now want
normalcy.
Nevertheless, the crisis has divided political
some civilian leaders fear the electoral process is
according to the Embassy.
-- Some moderate presidential contenders are counseling
dialogue with the government, but others support the
extreme position that they will not participate in
elections unless the government resigns.
The council, for its part, has ciowed to remain inoffice
until the scheduled transfer of power to an elected civilian
president next February.
a return to
moderates and
in danger,
The transition is being threatened by extremists on the left
and right.
Should violent demonstrations recur, senior military
officers might perceive that the Army's integrity and future as
an institution are threatened and move to establish an
authoritarian regime.
-- Any attempt by the military to establish an authoritarian
regime probably would cause prolonged and bloody civil
strife.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/08: CIA-RDP91B00874R000300260008-4