20107: (Chamberlain) Aristide presence stirs critics in Central Africa (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Andrew Gray

     BANGUI, March 9 (Reuters) - Central African Republic's decision to
give shelter to ousted Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide has prompted
politicians, activists and media to risk greater boldness in criticising
its military-led government.
     Many -- including the opposition -- have been wary of offending the
administration of General Francois Bozize since he deposed president
Ange-Felix Patasse in a coup a year ago.
     But several groups in the tropical country, rich in resources such as
diamonds and timber but financially poor after decades of misrule have,
have put their heads above the parapet since the arrival of Aristide, who
was fleeing a revolt.
     "The authorities have no right to roll out the red carpet for
Jean-Bertrand Aristide," the Social Democratic Party said after the man
once hailed as a democratic champion but later accused of ruling Haiti
autocratically arrived on March 1.
     "Bozize gets rid of the dictator Patasse and then welcomes the
dictator Aristide from Haiti with open arms," the daily newspaper Le
Citoyen said on its front page.
     The Central African Human Rights League demanded Aristide leave
without delay and proclaimed the country should not be a "dumping ground
for a former despot rejected by other countries in America, Europe and
Africa."
     Bozize may have used his vast powers sparingly but the state can still
come down hard on critics.
     A local newspaper boss is in jail, charged with insulting the head of
state for republishing accusations about his probity without saying they
came from an opposition website.
     Some critics have also avoided controversy after an appeal by Bozize
for a period of national reconciliation and dialogue. Officials say its aim
is to end factionalism which has made the country, the size of Texas, a
byword for coups and rebellions.
     When soldiers opened fire last year on protesting secondary school
pupils, killing at least one, the opposition was silent. It has also kept
quiet after other shootings by soldiers.
     The government has said it agreed to take in Aristide for humanitarian
reasons. Information Minister Parfait Mbay said it was also sympathetic as
several of its own members -- including Bozize -- know the pain of exile
first-hand.
     Mostly unspoken but widely assumed is a feeling that this desperately
poor country, where average annual income is just $260 and some workers are
owed more than 40 months' wages, will also be rewarded by Western powers
for its hospitality.
     It is far from certain that the critics are speaking for the majority
of the country's four million people. On the streets of the dilapidated
capital Bangui, both supporters and opponents of the government's decision
are easy to find.
     Some believe the criticism reflects less outrage at Aristide than a
feeling among local politicians that the time is right generally to raise
their own profile. A year has gone by since Bozize took power and elections
are due early next year.
     "The political opposition has missed a lot of opportunities when it
could have spoken out about much more serious things than this not so long
ago in this country," said Archbishop Paulin Pomodimo of the Catholic
church, which plays an active role in a society where around 50 percent are
Christians.
     "Now they find their voices again at the very moment when the
president does something which, in our view, is a very positive
humanitarian act," he told Reuters.

     (Additional reporting by Jean-Lambert Ngouandji)