27883: (news) Chamberlain: S.Africa's Mbeki hails Haiti poll, mum on Aristide (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

    JOHANNESBURG, Feb 18 (Reuters) - South African President Thabo Mbeki on
Saturday hailed Haiti's election outcome, which local officials have said
could lead to the return of ousted former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
     Aristide has been living in exile in South Africa since 2004 after he
fled an uprising over charges of despotism and corruption.
     South Africa's foreign minister said this month Pretoria would monitor
conditions after the Feb. 7 poll -- in which Aristide's long time ally Rene
Preval triumphed -- to see whether it would be safe for Aristide to go
back.
     In a statement on Saturday Mbeki congratulated Preval but did not give
any clues about Aristide's future.
     "South Africa is of the firm view that the outcome of the elections is
indeed an expression of the democratic will of the people of Haiti," Mbeki
said.
     "We commend efforts made by the United Nations ... in helping to
create a climate conducive for the people of Haiti to exercise their
democratic rights without fear or favour, despite difficult challenges and
obstacles."
     South Africa's warm reception of Aristide -- housing him and his
family in a luxury guesthouse and flying them here in Mbeki's private jet
-- goes against the United States and France, which openly backed the
rebellion against him.
     Aristide, who remains popular in Haiti's poor slums, has kept a low
profile for most of his stay in South Africa and not commented on his
possible return after the elections.
     South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said last week
that Aristide's stay in South Africa was never meant to be permanent.