Marius Fransman, deputy Minister of foreign affairs of Pretoria (South Africa) told to the press today, that his government "is working to help Aristide return" and that he could return to Haiti in the coming days or... one week... Adding that if Washington had any problems with this return, the U.S. must discuss with the Haitian Government.

"It is not our responsibility if America feels that he should only go in two weeks or three weeks or four weeks"

Yesterday, Mark Toner, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department has asked to former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to postpone of a few days his return to Haiti adding that Washington had "asked" to the South African Government to make the same request to former President Aristide....

Following this statement, Saul Molobi foreign ministry spokesperson declared on Tuesday "The United States has not approached us regarding this matter. Aristide is still in South Africa. That is all I can say".

Kurzban, the lawyer of former President Aristide, said for his part that "the U.S. government should leave that decision to the democratically elected government (Haiti) instead of seeking to dictate the terms under which a Haitian citizen may return to his country".

We can reasonably suppose that this "true-false problem" of communication, between the U.S. Government and Pretoria has only one purpose, delay "diplomatically" a few days the return of Aristide, the time to clarify the U.S. demand and possibly the position of Haiti, what probably will be done after the election to be held in five days in Haiti.

see also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2525-haiti-politic-us-asks-aristide-to-postpone-his-return.html

S/ HaitiLibre