Cablegate Chronicles: Haitian President Goes Clubbing

This is an installment from our on-going series on the adventures of American diplomats and the people they monitor. The red button below will take you to another random episode.

An American ambassador presents an analysis of Haitian President Rene Preval.

FROM: PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI
TO: STATE DEPARTMENT
DATE: UNE 16, 2009
CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL
SEE FULL CABLE

Preval's occasionally erratic behavior over the past year has again sparked widespread rumors that he is suffering from the effects of his past prostate cancer or that he has resumed drinking. There is no indication that he is taking medicine that affects his judgment or temperament, but he has ignored suggestions from his inner circle, including that of Delatour, that he do complete medical check-up in the U.S. He has not been to Cuba for follow-up tests in more than a year. Preval has increased his alcoholic consumption and often attends a Petionville night club with friends, but during our social interaction I have never seen him drink to excess. Nonetheless, reports of heavy drinking are circulating widely.

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