23372: (Chamberlain) Haiti's Aristide gets South Africa research post (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Andrew Quinn

     PRETORIA, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Haiti's deposed President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide and his wife Mildred have been appointed research fellows at a
university in South Africa, where they have taken refuge after a revolt on
the Caribbean island.
     The University of South Africa (UNISA) said in a statement on Tuesday
it was honoured to host the Aristides, who have been living in South Africa
as guests of the state after being driven from power in February.
     "We hope to offer them an environment conducive to pursuing their
academic careers. The university is delighted to be associated with their
efforts," Pretoria-based UNISA said.
     Trade union Solidarity criticised the move and accused UNISA of
political favouritism and rolling out the red carpet for "a foreign
politician with an unsavoury human rights record."
     Aristide has kept a low profile in South Africa, where the opposition
has attacked the government saying it was tainted by association with a man
accused of rights abuses at home.
     Pretoria says Aristide was the victim of a U.S.-sanctioned "regime
change" and has backed a U.N. probe into the events surrounding his
departure from Haiti on Feb. 29.
     UNISA, South Africa's largest university, said the Aristides were well
qualified for their academic positions, noting that the former president
had qualifications in theology, philosophy and psychology while Mildred
Aristide had played an important role in developing Haiti's AIDS policies.
     It did not say if it was paying the Aristides a salary.