Source: Department of Foreign Affairs
Title: A Pahad: Arrival of President Aristide of Haiti in South Africa
DEPUTY MINISTER AZIZ PAHAD'S STATEMENT ON THE ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT OF HAITI, JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE IN SOUTH AFRICA, 31 May 2004
Cabinet received a formal request from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) through the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) President Joachim Chissano, for South Africa to accommodate President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti in our country. The South African government has acceded to this request, in consultation with the AU, Caricom, the United States and France, to contribute to the international effort to bring peace and stability in Haiti.
Accordingly, the South African government takes this opportunity to welcome President Aristide, his family and aides to South Africa. President Aristide, his family and aides would remain in South Africa until the situation in Haiti has stabilised to the extent that they could return. This temporary arrangement is made as South Africa's contribution to stabilising the situation in Haiti.
South Africa has a responsibility, as an African country and as part of the international community, to ensure that democracy and peace prevail in Haiti, and that the people of Haiti are able to choose who their leaders should be. Working together with the AU and other multilateral institutions, we support Africans in the Diaspora and the rest of humanity in the common struggle to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in developing countries and other parts of the world. We are pleased that the United Nations (UN) Stabilisation Mission in Haiti will take over on 1 June 2004 from the current US-led Multinational Interim Force. The Stabilisation Mission is tasked with establishing a secure and stable environment, fostering democratic governance, assisting in organising free and fair elections, strengthening the rule of law and supporting human rights institutions and groups.
The South African government supports multilateralism and an inclusive, peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Haiti.
We appeal to all South Africans to handle this matter with the requisite level of maturity, respect and dignity that is concomitant with the role that South Africa plays and is expected to play in international relations. As we engage in public discourse on this matter, we should be guided by the need to achieve a climate of stability and peace in Haiti.
In conclusion, we wish to indicate that messages of support have also been received from Caricom, the AU and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
31 May 2004
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