Aristide Lawyer Wants Haiti to Quicken Client's Return

A lawyer for Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the former Haitian leader living in exile in South Africa, on Saturday pressed the government his client once led to show it is actively taking steps to bring him home.
Attorney Ira J. Kurzban of Miami questioned the government's commitment to aiding Aristide's return in a Friday letter to Haitian Foreign Minister Marie-Michele Rey.
Kurzban says his client cannot return to Haiti without the cooperation of the governments of the United States and South Africa, even though the Port-au-Prince government issued a passport to Aristide earlier this month.
Washington has signaled its displeasure about the prospect of Aristide's return to the country. However, Kurzban stated, "the government of of South Africa has stated that it is taking steps to ensure former President Aristide's return to Haiti."
"I read with interest yesterday a news account where you stated that you have had no contact with you counterpart in South Africa," Kurzban wrote to Rey. "I kindly request that you inform me as whether you have been contacted by the government of the Republic of South Africa and what steps you have taken, on behalf of the government of the Republic of Haiti to ensure President Aristide's immediate return."
Aristide was Haiti's first democratically-elected president. His rise to power during the 1990s coincided with the fall of former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier. Aristide was toppled in 2004 after a bloody revolt by street gangs and soldiers.
Aristide, who was whisked out of the country in a U.S. jet, claimed his ouster was orchestrated by Western powers. The former Roman Catholic priest, considered by many to be a champion for the poor, remains both a beloved and polarizing figure.
Aristide has long stated his desire to go home. He reiterated that wish in January after Duvalier returned to Haiti.
Aristide insists he has no intention of re-entering politics.
"I know that certain countries have voiced concern about the President's immediate return," Kurzban stated. "We know, however, those concerns are without foundation and that the President's return would be a joyous occasion for the vast majority of Haitians."