At last, an acknowledgement U.S. pressure had a hand in Aristede's removal
S.Africa Grants Temporary Asylum to Aristide
Thu May 13, 2004 08:39 AM ET
PRETORIA (Reuters) - The South African government has approved temporary asylum for deposed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and will foot the bill for his stay, a government statement said on Thursday.
The decision will offer a welcome relief to both the United States and Haiti's Caribbean neighbors facing a major diplomatic problem over Aristide's sanctuary since he lost power in March in the face of a rebel uprising and U.S. pressure.
The offer of asylum also underlines the South African government's implicit view that the elected Aristide was unconstitutionally removed from power in a "regime change" sanctioned by President Bush.
The government statement repeated South Africa's call for a United Nations inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Aristide's fall from power.
