By Devon Evans, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
HAITIAN REFUGEES seeking to meet with former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, have been told their request is inappropriate.
Mr. Aristide's media liaison officer, Huntley Medley, told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday that the request cannot be granted as it would be a breach of the terms of the former president's stay in Jamaica.
PART OF AGREEMENT
Addressing the request of several of the 130 Haitian refugees, who arrived in the island between Sunday and early Monday morning, Mr. Medley made it clear that Mr. Aristide had no plans to meet with any of them.
"He came here for two specific reasons: to meet with his children and to formalise plans for permanent residence," noted Mr. Medley.
He explained that part of the agreement for Mr. Aristide's stay in Jamaica was that he cannot engage in Haiti's politics and that meeting with any of the refugees could be interpreted as a political activity.
PLANS TO LEAVE NOT DEFINITE
When asked how soon Mr. Aristide intends to leave the island, he said it was still too early to say. "The Prime Minister (P.J. Patterson) said he (Aristide) would be here for a period of eight to 10 weeks. Only six weeks have passed," Mr. Medley pointed out.
Since arriving in the island on March 15, Mr. Aristide, his wife Mildred and two daughters have stayed at the Government-owned Lydford Park Great House in Lydford, St. Ann.
The Aristides' only public appearance was at the Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Ocho Rios three Sundays ago, when they attended Good Friday Mass under heavy security. Mr. Medley assured that Mr. Aristide and his family are doing well and enjoying the peace and quiet of the area.
