The spokesman for the State Department, Philip J. Crowley said Wednesday that the return of former President Aristide, before the second round of presidential elections, which must be held March 20, 2011, would be "an unfortunate distraction [...] the people of Haiti should be evaluating the two candidates that will participate in the runoff, and I think that should be their focus". Recall that the second round of elections, will put in competition the former First Lady Mirlande Manigat and the popular singer Michel Martelly.

Concerning the return of the former President, Me Kurzban, the lawyer of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said yesterday "He will try to return as soon as possible. This will happen very soon" expressing his "hope" that Mr. Aristide take a flight for Port-au-Prince in the coming days.

If Aristide "returned earlier [before March 20] that could disrupt... the calm that is needed for an effective election process to conclude" has specified Philip j. Crowley, refusing to say whether the United States had contacts in Haiti or South Africa on the return of the former President. Adding that the United States "would hate to see any action that introduces divisiveness into the election process".

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2310-haiti-politic-the-passport-of-aristide-in-the-hands-of-his-lawyer-update-12pm.html

HL/ HaitiLibre