21865: (Chamberlain) South Africa-Aristide (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   PRETORIA, May 13 (AP) -- South Africa has agreed to grant temporary
asylum to ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, government
officials said Thursday.
   Aristide flew to the Central African Republic on Feb. 29 amid a
spreading revolt in Haiti but later flew to Jamaica, where he has been
awaiting his South Africa asylum request.
   Aristide maintains he was pushed from power by the United States, an
allegation Washington denies.
   He has asked South Africa for asylum until his personal situation
"normalizes," but an interim government is already in place in Haiti and
new elections are scheduled for next year.
   South Africa's Cabinet granted the asylum request during a daylong
meeting Wednesday, according to government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe.
   It was unclear when Aristide would arrive, but he will live under tight
security in South Africa's capital of Pretoria at government expense,
Netshitenzhe said.
   Aristide's spokesman in Jamaica, Huntley Medley, said Aristide is
withholding comment on the asylum offer until he is formally notified.
   The decision to accept Aristide is controversial in South Africa,
because of accusations he committed abuses while in power.
   "The government must explain to the people of South Africa the reasons
for its decision to allow a discredited dictator into our country," said
Douglas Gibson, an official with the main opposition Democratic Alliance
party. "Our actions in this matter have only served to cast doubt on our
commitment to the values of respect for human rights and democracy."
   The 15-member Caribbean Community has demanded an investigation into the
circumstances of Aristide's departure and refused to recognize the interim
government headed by Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue.
   Some Caribbean leaders wanted a U.N. investigation, but possible
opposition from France and the United States at the U.N. Security Council
prompted leaders to instead ask for an investigation by the
Washington-based Organization of American States.
   Nearly two dozen members of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus have
refused to recognize the legitimacy of Haiti's interim government and have
also asked for an investigation.
   Netshitenzhe said South Africa would support an independent
investigation. "South Africa has a responsibility, as an African country
and as part of the international community, to ensure that democracy and
peace prevail in Haiti and that the people of this country are able
democratically to elect their leaders," he said.
   Since Aristide's departure, an interim government backed by a U.S.-led
3,600 member multinational force has helped stabilize Haiti. An
8,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission is to replace the multinational
force June 1.