Aristide Returning to Haiti in Days

[JokerAllstar]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/jeanbertrand-aristide-ret_n_834502.html">Here

----------------------
JOHANNESBURG — Ousted ex-Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide will return within days to his homeland ending seven years in exile, a South African official said Friday. The former slum priest remains hugely popular and his return could disrupt elections this month in his earthquake-ravaged country.

In Haiti, an official with Aristide's party confirmed that his "return is imminent," but declined to say how or when he's coming back.

"It's an important event for the people in Haiti because they have waited so long for this," said Maryse Narcisse, the head of Lavalas' executive council. "He will not be traveling incognito. People will know he is coming."

The party was barred from taking part in the vote, and thousands of his supporters vowed last month to disturb the election if he was not allowed to come back. The U.S. has warned his presence "would prove to be an unfortunate distraction to the people of Haiti."

On Friday, State Department spokesman Mark Toner told The Associated Press "this is a matter for the Government of Haiti."

"The U.S. remains focused on helping ensure a peaceful and democratic transition of power in Haiti, and that the second round of elections, scheduled for March 20, accurately reflect the will of the Haitian people," he said.

A South African Foreign Ministry official told the AP that Aristide would return in the coming days. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to make the official announcement.

Aristide's push to come back from exile follows the stunning return of former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier in January. Aristide has said he wants to help reconstruct the country that was shattered in last year's massive quake.

Aristide emerged as a leading voice for Haiti's poor and helped lead a popular revolt that forced an end to the Duvalier family's 29-year dictatorship. He became the troubled country's first democratically elected president, despite opposition from the army and Haiti's elite.

-----------------------

More through the link. Good news, but I'd like to see his political party allowed on the ballot if Haiti is supposed to be a Democratic government.

[ej510]

1. Ariside was ousted because he asked for reparations from

France for his nation which was robbed by France first then and now the US.