21908: Lemieux: News 24 (SA): Money not an issue (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>

Aristide: Money not an issue
16/05/2004 21:12  - (SA)

Anesca Smith


Cape Town - Deposed Haitian president
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who is expected to arrive
in South Africa shortly, could stay in the
country at least until next year.

According to the director general of foreign
affairs, Ayanda Ntasaluba, who is also
responsible for organising accommodation for
Aristide, the former president could stay in the
country at least until next year's elections in
Haiti.

It is expected that the preparations for
Aristide's arrival will be concluded by the end
of the week. He will then fly in from Jamaica.

For security purposes, the government will not
reveal exact details on where he will live except
to say it will be in Gauteng.

According to Ntsaluba, Aristide is prepared to
step down as president if it helps with the
process of democracy.

"But he does want to play a role in the process -
even if it is as an ordinary citizen," said
Ntsaluba.

Ntsaluba also responded to the DA's questions on
who would foot the bill for Aristide's stay in
the country.

"If the cost of one man's accommodation can help
towards stabilising Haiti then it is a small
price to pay.

"When other African countries such as Tanzania
took in hundreds of South Africans during
apartheid, they never asked what the cost was."

Ntsaluba said he did not think that France and
the US would contribute towards Aristide's
upkeep. "We will also not ask them for help," he
said.

He also said there would be no restrictions put
on Aristide. "He is for example free to travel to
Jamaica or Nigeria".





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