Haiti's 'Baby Doc' Quietly Departs Hotel

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 20, 2011
Haiti's 'Baby Doc' Quietly Departs Hotel
Ex-dictator 'Baby Doc' Duvalier Surreptitiously Leaves Hotel; Next Destination Unclear

.(AP) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Ex-dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier has surreptitiously left his hotel, avoiding dozens of journalists.

The former dictator known as "Baby Doc" quietly departed through a back entrance of the upscale Hotel Karibe, where he has been ensconced since his surprise return.

Duvalier slipped out the back of the hotel Thursday afternoon, while longtime companion Veronique Roy exited through the main entrance to a waiting car.

Duvalier's destination was unclear.

The ex-dictator was forced into French exile in 1986 following a popular uprising against his government, which was widely believed to be brutal and corrupt.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/20/ap/latinamerica/main7265899.shtml

[Judi Lynn]

1. Some See a Cash Motive in Duvalier’s Return

Some See a Cash Motive in Duvalier’s Return
By GINGER THOMPSON
Published: January 20, 2011

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — When Jean-Claude Duvalier suddenly emerged from exile last weekend, saying he was here “to help” his devastated homeland, fears immediately spread across the country that the former dictator had come to stake a new claim to power. But Mr. Duvalier’s risky return home from France may have been driven by another motivation: money.

Though Mr. Duvalier has long been accused of looting $300 million from Haiti before fleeing nearly 25 years ago, his lawyers and friends have said that much of his money was squandered on a lavish lifestyle of jewelry, chateaus, fancy cars and a very expensive divorce from his ex-wife.

Just this week, one of Mr. Duvalier’s lawyers said that when his client was hauled before a Haitian court and asked how he supported himself, Mr. Duvalier responded: “With the help of friends.”

But about $6 million still sits frozen in an account in Switzerland, and Mr. Duvalier has publicly vowed to make every effort to get it. Haitian officials, human rights advocates and political analysts believe that Mr. Duvalier came back to the country last weekend for the sole purpose of making an end run around a new law that will make it harder for him to do that.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/world/americas/21haiti.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[Peace Patriot]

2. Uh-huh. Well, at least we now know what the CIA cover story is.

The New York Slimes is actually useful for something--besides lining your cat box.