ARISTIDE IN JAMAICA, NEW PREMIER RECALLS AMBASSADOR
The arrival of the ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide a few hours ago in Jamaica, risks causing renewed tension. Based on press reports, the former 'shanty priest' arrived in the capital Kingston with his wife onboard a charter flight, hired by some of his loyalists. Aristide departed for Jamaica from the Central African Republic, where he had arrived February 29 after being forced to abandon office amid a growing armed insurrection and pressures by the US and France. The spokesman of the Jamaican foreign ministry, Wilton Dyer, informed that the former Haitian president left the airport on a helicopter for an unknown destination. The Jamaican government declared that Aristide does not intend to request asylum and that his permanence may last ten or so weeks. The indications were not sufficient to avoid a harsh reaction by the new Haitian Prime Minister, Gerard Latortue, named in the past days, who immediately referred intent to recall the Haitian Ambassador to Kingston. Jamaica's actions were judged "very unfriendly", stated Latortue, adding "we cannot accept this". So far the 'handling' of Aristide, uncomfortable guest that many governments would not like in their territory, continues representing an element of instability in Port-au-Prince, also yesterday theatre to episodes of violence against US marines deployed by Washington in the former 'Pearl of the Antilles'
Haiti arms row rocks South Africa
A row has broken out in South Africa over an attempt to send weapons to deposed Haiti president Jean-Bertrand Aristide as rebels closed in on him.
President Thabo Mbeki has been accused by the leader of the opposition, Tony Leon, of violating the constitution by failing to tell parliament.
Mr Leon said an air force plane had been authorised to carry the supplies.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide has now left his exile in the Central African Republic
A spokesman for President Mbeki said it would investigate but denied breaking the constitution.
Mr Leon said that the constitution required President Mbeki to report any deployment of the South African Defence Force to parliament within seven days, but he had failed to do so.
The South African constitution contains clauses designed to prevent the government using covert forces across its borders -- a practice used extensively by the previous apartheid government, which left office 10 years ago.
Resignation
Mr Leon told reporters in Johannesburg the plane had a shipment of 150 R-1 rifles, 5,000 bullets, 200 smoke grenades and 200 bullet-proof vests.
"It would now appear that President Mbeki approved the employment of a South African Air Force (SAAF) Boeing 707 to carry arms and equipment for the use of the Haitian Police Force in support of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide," said Mr Leon.
He claimed Mr Mbeki authorised the aircraft's mission after making a personal commitment to support Mr Aristide to the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Jamaican Prime Minister P J Patterson.
Mr Mbeki is expected to get another term in office after the April polls
Mr Leon said President Mbeki had contravened the constitution which required him to inform parliament before authorising the alleged mission.
He said Mr Patterson had confirmed that the SAAF Boeing 707 that left South Africa on 29 February 2004 had landed in Jamaica the same day.
The South African military plane however never reached Haiti because of the resignation and departure of Mr Aristide.
Mr Aristide has now flown out of exile in Central African Republic (CAR) to Jamaica.
South Africa faces general elections next month.
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