21872: Esser: ANC on Aristide visit (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

African National Congress ANC

May 13, 2004

Cabinet's decision on Aristide

The African National Congress commends the decision of Cabinet to
accede to the request from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to allow
former Haitian President Jean-Bertand Aristide to visit South Africa.

The decision was a reasonable and responsible response to a request
from a regional multilateral body that has long been seized with the
resolution of the crisis in Haiti. It is important to note that
Aristide was the legitimately-elected head of a sovereign country who
was forcefully and unconstitutionally removed from power.

In respecting the independence and sovereignty of states, and in
promoting the role of international multilateral institutions like
the United Nations, African Union and CARICOM in the resolution of
international problems, South Africa has a responsibility to assist
in whatever way it can to achieve a peaceful and lawful resolution of
Haiti's current crisis.

More information:
Smuts Ngonyama 082 569 2061