Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
OUSTED FORMER Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide declined to comment on media reports that the interim Haitian Government wants him extradited to face possible charges of corruption and human rights abuses in Haiti.
In an Associated Press report yesterday, Haiti's Justice Minister Bernard Gousse was quoted as saying "We are setting up a team to assemble all the violations for which he (Aristide) is responsible. Then we will formally ask for his extradition."
Media liaison to Mr. Aristide, Huntley Med-ley, told The Gleaner yesterday that Mr. Aristide will not be responding to the allegations as it was not a part of his mission in Jamaica, which includes reuniting with his family and finalising his permanent asylum in another country.
"These are obviously issues related to Haitian politics and Mr. Aristide, while he is here, has given an undertaking not to deal with Haitian politics. As a consequence he will not be making any comment on the issue," said Mr. Medley. The interim government has also alleged that some US$1 billion in state funds were embezzled during Aristide's rule.
A week ago Mr. Aristide was contemplating a number of countries for asylum after Nigeria joined a growing list that had offered him temporary lodgings at the end of his stay in Jamaica.
In the meantime, Secretary of State Colin Powell will travel to Haiti next Monday to meet with officials of the country's interim government and to assess U.S. and international efforts to bring stability and provide humanitarian relief.
The trip will come five weeks after Aristide fled the country amid charges by the ex-president and others that the Bush administration coerced him to leave.
The Bush administration said Aristide departed voluntarily.
