So, President Aristide has renewed his requests to be allowed to go home

[EFerrari]

and the United States and France are still blocking him.

democracynow Democracy Now!
NEWS: Former Haitian Pres. Jean-Bertrand Aristide Asks #Haiti to Allow His Return; #France & US Object. http://ow.ly/3Hny9
9 minutes ago

That link goes to this headline:

Aristide Asks Haiti to Allow Return

On the heels of Duvalier’s re-emergence in Haiti, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has renewed his pleas for the Haitian government to authorize his return. Aristide has lived in forcible exile in South Africa since 2004 when he was overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup. In a statement, Aristide said he hopes to return home "today, tomorrow and at any time." The Haitian government has refused to issue him a new passport under reported pressure from the United States and France. Speaking to the New York Times, an analyst described as being "close to the Haitian government" said, "Aristide could have 15 passports and he’s still not going to come back to Haiti. France and the United States are standing in the way."

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/1/20/headlines

Aristides' statement here:

President Jean-Bertrand Aristide Statement, January 19, 2011
Dr Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Former President of Haiti

19 January 2011


I would like to thank the government and the people of South Africa for the historic hospitality, deeply rooted in Ubuntu, extended to my family and I.

Since my forced arrival in the Mother Continent six and a half years ago, the people of Haiti have never stopped calling for my return to Haiti . Despite the enormous challenges that they face in the aftermath of the deadly January 12, 2010 earthquake, their determination to make the return happen has increased.

As far as I am concerned, I am ready. Once again I express my readiness to leave today, tomorrow, at any time. The purpose is very clear: To contribute to serving my Haitian sisters and brothers as a simple citizen in the field of education.

The return is indispensable, too, for medical reasons: It is strongly recommended that I not spend the coming winter in South Africa ’s because in 6 years I have undergone 6 eye surgeries. The surgeons are excellent and very well skilled, but the unbearable pain experienced in the winter must be avoided in order to reduce any risk of further complications and blindness.

So, to all those asking me to return home, I reiterate my willingness to leave today, tomorrow, at any time. Let us hope that the Haitian and South African governments will enter into communication in order to make that happen in the next coming days.

United to the Haitian people, once again my family and I express our sincere gratitude to the government and the people of South Africa

__________________


And last night from the State Department:

PJCrowley Philip J. Crowley
We do not doubt President Aristide's desire to help the people of Haiti. But today #Haiti needs to focus on its future, not its past.
16 hours ago


I'd like to know when the State Department gave up all pretense of allowing Haiti to conduct its own affairs because it has. Maybe it's better this way, more honest in any case.

[Sonoman]

1. Remember when ghwb referred to him as "Fahtha" Aristede?

Of course, that was before he chased out the Cali cartel and opened Haiti to the Medellin.

Big mistake.

That was in Feb '04 and he was gone by the end of the year. ghwb always had a soft spot for the Cali bunch.

Here is an interesting link.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalresearch.ca%2Farticles%2FRIE402A.html&rct=j&q=aristede%20haiti%20medellin&ei=1Zk4TdiqHZGWsgPv-MnQAw&usg=AFQjCNHQJ00Og6ESB62rfoBxBpeiv6BLZg&cad=rja

Sonoman

[sixmile]

2. Just what Haiti needs

Duvalier and Aristide fighting each other in a civil war.

[EFerrari]

3. Haiti needs democracy, not occupation and exploitation

let alone the maquiladora economy that Bill Clinton et all look forward to imposing on it.