Aristide return to Haiti possible - S.Africa's Mbeki

[Judi Lynn]

Aristide return to Haiti possible - S.Africa's Mbeki
Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:12 PM GMT

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday that former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide may be able to return home after consultation with Haiti's new president, local media reported.

Aristide has been living in exile in South Africa since 2004 when he fled an uprising over charges of rights abuses and corruption.

Mbeki said there was no reason why the former Roman Catholic priest should not go back to Haiti after an election this month, which was won by Aristide ally Rene Preval.

"I would imagine from everything that I've seen and heard President Preval himself wouldn't want to oppose President Aristide's return to Haiti," Mbeki said on SABC radio.
(snip/...)

http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-02-19T121322Z_01_ALL943910_RTRIDST_0_OZATP-SAFRICA-HAITI-ARISTIDE-20060219.XML

[friesianrider]

1. I think most of us knew this was inevitable...

With Preval being such a close ally of Aristide, it would seem he would certainly allow him back into Haiti, and possibly even giving him a role of some importance and/or power.

[bemildred]

2. Mbeki commends Haitians on election

Thabo Mbeki, president of South African, where Haiti's former president Jean Bertrand Aristide lives in exile, on Saturday commended Haitians on the successful outcome of their presidential election.

Mbeki said in a statement: "South Africa is of the firm view that the outcome of the elections is indeed an expression of the democratic will of the people of Haiti."

"We extend our warmest congratulations to Rene Preval as the President-designate of Haiti as well as to all the contestants in the election," he said.

He said he was convinced the new leadership would seize the opportunity to work with all segments of the Haitian society in building national unity, reconciliation, justice, peace and stability as a basis for sustainable development in the country.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200602/19/eng20060219_243955.html

[bemildred]

3. Haiti can rejoin Caricom

Caricom, the Caribbean Common Market, plans to invite Haiti back to membership following the election of Rene Preval as president.

The group suspended Haiti two years ago when President Jean Bertrand Aristide was forced out and left the country.

Edwin Carrington, Caricom secretary general, called the election "a wonderful moment," the BBC reported.
Other international bodies have also welcomed the election and the decision to declare Preval the winner without a runoff.

Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary general of the Organization of American States, said he hoped that the Provisional Electoral Council's ruling that Preval won the election would strengthen his legitimacy and Haitians' confidence in political institutions, the Jamaica Gleaner reported. "This has been a historic election for Haiti, given the voter turnout and the calm that prevailed on election day," Insulza said.

http://www.washtimes.com/upi/20060218-084850-6570r.htm

[Demeter]

4. A Man Who WILL Be Greeted With Flowers and Song!

Eat your hearts out, George, Rumsfeld, Chalabi.

[LynnTheDem]

5. To a hero's welcome, and a FU BUSH for bush's kidnapping & overthrowing

of Aristide, democratically elected president of Haiti, in 2004.

[Robb]

6. No kidding

That was a dirty, dirty deal. Thank goodness for the MSM for reporting on it. :eyes:

[burrowowl]

7. Was a very dirty thing

Colin Powell and Condi Rice had their dirty hands on the deal.