'Aristide's fate up to AU'

2004-03-10 21:13

Bangui - The African Union should decide on the long-term asylum plans for ousted Haiti president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, says foreign affairs deputy minister Aziz Pahad.

Pahad met Aristide in the Central African capital, Bangui, on Wednesday.

Aristide landed in Central African Republic on March 1, a day after flying from his Caribbean homeland in a US-arranged jet under pressure from a deadly two-week insurgency. His plans for permanent exile are uncertain.

"He's already here and the question of whether he is going to another African country - it's an African Union decision," said Pahad.

South Africa has been mentioned as a possible country of permanent exile for Aristide. South Africa is not opposed in principle to taking him in, but it has received no formal asylum request from Aristide or the Haitian government.

"We are very proud that the Central African Republic... has offered an opportunity for Jean-Bertrand Aristide to come here until his future and the future of Haiti can be resolved," said Pahad - head of a three-person South African delegation that landed in this impoverished nation for a few hours on Wednesday before flying home.

Central African Republic foreign minister Charles Wenezoui said earlier the South African officials came to discuss Aristide's final settlement plans; Pahad said he didn't broach the topic in his meeting with Aristide.

Pahad also said he met Central African Republic's President Francois Bozize, but didn't give details.

Pahad said his mission's main thrust was part of ongoing consultations with the 15-nation Caribbean Community, or Caricom, about the circumstances of Aristide's departure from Haiti.

Aristide accuses the US of forcing him out of office against his will - a claim vehemently denied by top officials in Washington.

Pahad said he had gained "a better understanding of the situation that led to (Aristide's) coming to the Central African Republic - and what is the way forward".

Western diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the South African government was made aware of Aristide's preference to go into exile there, but felt it would be inconvenient because of upcoming elections.

Pahad didn't say what role the 53-nation, Ethiopia-based African Union should play in finding a permanent home for Aristide.

- AP