Delegation departs from Miami to retrieve Aristide

Herald ^ | 03/13/04 | JOHN PAIN

[Pikamax]

Delegation departs from Miami to retrieve Aristide

JOHN PAIN

Associated Press

MIAMI - A delegation of American and Jamaican officials departed Saturday to bring ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from his exile in Africa to be reunited with his family in Jamaica.

The five-member delegation boarded a 13-seat charter Gulfstream jet in Miami and expected to arrive in Central African Republic on Sunday afternoon after several refueling stops.

Delegation members, including U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said bringing Aristide to Jamaica was not an attempt for the former leader to regain power in Haiti. She called their mission "humanitarian."

Aristide left Haiti on Feb. 29 as Haitian rebels were closing in on the capital, Port-au-Prince. He arrived March 1 in Bangui where he has been staying in a presidential palace apartment. Aristide's American-born wife has been in exile with him, but their two young daughters were staying in New York during the upheaval.

The plane was expected to arrive in Jamaica on Monday morning.

Sharon Hay-Webster, a representative of the Caribbean Community, said Aristide would spend up to 10 weeks in Jamaica. She said Aristide won't be performing any political activities there.

"Jamaica is acting as host in response to Mr. Aristide's request," Hay-Webster said before boarding the plane. She said Jamaica would provide a "secure and safe" location for Aristide to reunite with his family.

Haiti's new prime minister, Gerard Latortue, has warned that Aristide's return to the region would only increase tension in Haiti.

Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, chairman of the 15-nation Caribbean Community, has invited Latortue to visit Jamaica this weekend for talks on Haiti. But Robert Ulysse, an aid to Latortue, said the prime minister would stay in Haiti and focus on setting up his Cabinet.

U.S. Ambassador to Haiti James Foley said Saturday that "Jamaican authorities are certainly taking on a risk and a responsibility" by accepting Aristide.

Aristide has claimed he is still the legitimate leader of Haiti, and that the U.S. government forced him out. U.S. officials say Aristide asked for help and that they saved his life by arranging his departure aboard a U.S.-chartered aircraft during a bloody rebellion.

When asked whether Aristide still claims he was kidnapped by the United States, attorney Ira Kurzban said, "Absolutely."

Kurzban, who was for years the U.S. legal representative for the ousted president's government, was part of the group retrieving Aristide.

[Paleo Conservative]

It would have been better if nature had been allowed to tak its course. Aristide should have been pushing up daisies.

[randog]

Delegation members, including U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif

The left just loves their despots. It's been a tough few years for them, what with their heroes falling like flies and all.

[solo gringo]

It could still happen with a little luck.

[clintonh8r]

Gulfstreams have an excellent safety record....

[Servant of the 9]

Have we no interceptors?

Have we no missiles?

I'll kick in for my share of the cost ..... and the cost of the Jetstream too, if that helps.

So9

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Maxine Waters? Are we taxpayers paying for this braindead woman's...or what ever it is...trip? I really want to know.

[kitkat]

Humanitarian?????????? Maxine Waters is stark, raving mad.

[marron]

I am all for it. My only question is why stop at Jamaica? Show some spine, for heaven's sake, show some courage. Bring him right on in to Port Au Prince and check him in to the downtown Hilton. Better yet, escort him home, he has a home in Haiti, get him a limo and drive him right up to the door of his house.

I double-dog-dare you.

[Democratshavenobrains]

Never have so many, done so much, for such a loser. Imagine the uproar if REPUBLICAN members of our Congress acted like some deposed white supremicist former tin-pot dictator was their best friend!! But for the Black Caucus no one cares!! Because to critisize them is racist!!

[Just mythoughts]

Is JFKerry going to Jamaica for "spring break"?

Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide must be one of those foreign leaders that told JFKerry he must win this election.

[1066AD]

Expensive trip if nothing else.

[Trashyhill]

Brain dead is right. I also want to know if my tax money is going for this trip.

[tenthirteen]

If only one could cancel Ms. Waters passport as she leaves the US. Would that someone else keep her.

[Unicorn]

Who's paying!!!!!!!!!!

[Unicorn]

Who's paying!!!!!!!!!!

[RicocheT]

The Central African Republic should deny landing rights to this plane load (pants load) of terrorists.

[OldFriend]

Marxine Waters, bag lady!

[BIGZ]

There is no place for Aristide to go. He is persona non grata. No one wants the defecation devise.

[dennisw]

LOL! Aristied is a head case.