Aristide lying low

2004-03-17 21:05

Kingston - Haitian former president Jean Bertrand Aristide was keeping a low profile on Wednesday resting at a Jamaican country house and "enjoying the peace and quiet," a spokesperson said.

"He wants to spend a little time just reflecting, just relaxing, waiting for his children," spokesperson Huntley Medley said, adding: "He is not shutting out the media."

The presence in Jamaica of Aristide - who left power February 29 and fled to the Central African Republic - has unsettled transitional authorities in Haiti from which Aristide has said he was abducted by the United States with French support.

Washington has said he departed willingly and signed a resignation letter after half the country was overrun by rebels in an uprising that left about 300 people dead.

Aristide and his wife "are not hostages, they are guests here. Hence, they are by no means restricted in what they want to do. And what they want to do is entirely up to them; the Government has not planned an itinerary," the spokesperson added.

A populist former priest, Aristide and his wife are staying in Lydford, St Anne parish, at a property owned by the Jamaican government. They are awaiting a visit with their daughters here.

Jamaica offered Aristide up to 10 weeks temporary asylum, angering both the United States and the interim Haitian government.

- AFP