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Last Updated: Oct 24th, 2006 - 17:24:11 |
Exiled Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide yesterday defended his decision to return home in the face of US reluctance, saying it was his right as a citizen of the Caribbean state.
The former president said this week that he wanted to return to Haiti after elections on February 7 handed victory to his one-time protégé, Rene Preval.
"I have the right to go back," Aristide said.
He said he hoped to promote education in his homeland, include Haiti in "the African renaissance" as the first black republic founded in 1804, and suggested that he would not openly engage in politics.
"My determination is to be back in education, serving the people, not as a member of the public service but as a citizen," said Aristide, who has been living in Pretoria with his wife and two daughters since May 2004.
Aristide said he was in consultation with Caribbean countries, the United Nations and the South African leadership on a date for his return. "I know a date will emerge," he said.
He was offered refuge in SA after fleeing a popular revolt in Haiti in 2004. He has long maintained that he had been forced to step down under pressure from the US and France, and had urged the African Union to take up his claims of a coup.
While Washington has not opposed Aristide's return to Haiti, it has moved quickly to shore up Preval while dismissing Aristide as a man of the past.
"I think the Haitian people are trying to turn a new page in their history," the US state department's Sean McCormack said recently. "That's what we, the US, as well as other countries working with Haiti, are trying to help them do," he said.
Officials from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) have both said Aristide should leave SA as soon as possible. They claimed that Preval's victory meant he was no longer in need of protection.
Citing the costs involved in Aristide's stay, estimated to be in the millions, they said taxpayers should no longer be expected to bear these expenses.
"I hope he goes," said Douglas Gibson, the DA's chief whip.
"I'm not sure why the taxpayer got lumped with his costs."
Despite having raised questions in Parliament about the expenses involved in Aristide's upkeep, Gibson said government had failed to provide exact figures of the costs.
"The former president has been living here for two-and-a-half years, living like a cabinet minister," he said. "This includes a free residence, car, a driver and security. This must have cost several millions of rands."
According to Gibson, a cabinet minister's pay package amounts to almost R750000 a year, including a car, chauffeur and house.
Kenneth Meshoe, president of the ACDP, said it was "definitely" time for Aristide to go home.
"The man who won is his ally, so he can't now claim to fear for his life at all."
Meshoe said he would pursue the matter further in Parliament.
There is disagreement as to whether the situation in Haiti is suitable for Aristide's return.
Lyle White, a research associate at the South African Institute for International Affairs, said the country was still too fragmented for this possibility.
"It is still a raw and sensitive situation in Haiti," he said. "I wouldn't expect him to return for a few months or so."
Lyle said Preval would be intent on proving he was not a puppet of Aristide, thereby delaying his homecoming.
The African National Congress (ANC) has defended its support for Aristide's subsidised stay in the country.
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said in an exclusive interview that SA was fulfilling its international responsibilities.
"Aristide came to SA on a request from Caricom (Caribbean Community and Common Market) and the AU," he said. "He is free to stay as long as he wants. We don't worry about the costs, we are doing a service to humanity."
ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama agreed with Pahad.
"Many countries around the world hosted the ANC during the struggle," he said, tersely dismissing the complaints raised by the DA and ACDP. Ngonyama said Aristide's stay was a form of repayment.
Aristide drew a parallel with former president Nelson Mandela.
"When I look at Madiba, it's compelling to see what he can do for his country and the world without being the president. I am confident I can serve my country without being president."
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