NEWS: Aristide Plans Return

Fleeing Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide says he left to avoid bloodshed...Goes on to say that France had colluded with the United States to have him removed. Aristide reports to a Central African Paper that he will return to the country and that he did not officailly resign.

"He said he had signed a document "to avoid a bloodbath, but there was no formal resignation".

The US has rejected calls for an inquiry into the conditions of Mr Aristide's departure for exile.

"There is nothing to investigate, we do not encourage nor believe there is any need for an investigation," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

"There was no kidnapping, there was no coup, there were no threats," he said.

Controversy over Mr Aristide's departure organised by the United States has grown amid calls by Caribbean Community nations and from South Africa's foreign minister for a independent inquiry into circumstances surrounding the departure."

www.abc.net.au...



[Edited on 5-3-2004 by Dreamz]

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