DA: A mistake to host Aristide
2004-05-30 15:43
Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance would challenge the minister of foreign affairs in parliament on the legality of hosting Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, the opposition party said on Sunday.
"The South African government has still not explained under what legal authority Mr Aristide is being granted entry into our country," said Douglas Gibson, foreign affairs spokesperson for the DA.
He said Aristide could not be considered a refugee under the Refugees Act.
The DA would also question Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on the costs of hosting the exiled Haitian President, said Gibson.
"Haiti is so far beyond our sphere of influence... The government's time and resources will have been better spent on resolving the crises in Zimbabwe and Sudan.
"Mr Aristide should go home"
Aristide is due to arrive in South Africa from Jamaica on Monday. The foreign affairs department has not yet explained the details of the arrangement.
- SAPA