20008: (Chamberlain) Africa-Aristide Exile (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By DANIEL BALINT-KURTI

   BANGUI, Central African Republic, March 7 (AP) -- Authorities in the
Central African Republic on Sunday read a statement from exiled Haitian
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide saying he's being "well-looked after" and
will personally address reporters at an unspecified and "opportune time."
   Central African Republic Foreign Minister Charles Wenezoui read the
statement he attributed to Aristide from a small card handed to him by
Aristide's wife, Mildred, in front of the press.
   Aristide's wife looked on tight-lipped as the short statement was read,
but did not speak to reporters. Aristide was not present.
   "Dear journalists, at the opportune time, I will have the possibility
... to reply to your questions," Wenezoui said, reading the two-line
statement from the card. "We are very well looked after," the statement
said.
   Aristide took up asylum in this impoverished African capital on March 1
after resigning his post in Haiti amid a two-week insurgency. Aristide has
said the United States forced him from power.
   When reporters asked Mildred Aristide if her husband was healthy, she
nodded. Asked if the couple were prisoners, she sighed.
   Earlier, Central African Republic security forces carrying assault
rifles told press photographers and camera crews assembled in the room that
they were prohibited from taking pictures.
   Authorities here have said that if Aristide asks for long-term asylum in
this unstable African nation, he will be allowed to stay.
   South Africa has been mentioned as another possible permanent home for
Aristide, with that country saying it's not opposed to taking him in, but
has not received a formal request.
   The United States, France and the West African nation of Gabon arranged
Aristide's flight here, Central African Republic authorities said. It
remains unclear why the country was chosen.
   Since his rebels overran the Central African Republic's capital in March
2003, President Francois Bozize has courted foreign governments and
international lending agencies for help in stabilizing the chaotic country.
   Although rich in gold, diamonds and other resources, Central African
Republic nevertheless has habitually been unable to pay its civil servants,
helping spark strikes, unrest and coup attempts.
   The country has weathered nine coups or coup attempts since independence
from France in 1960.