Baby Doc returns to Haiti

[Puppycow]

A Former Dictator Reappears in Haiti

Haiti’s exiled former dictator, Jean-Claude Duvalier, returned unexpectedly to his homeland Sunday for the first time since he was deposed in a coup in 1986.

Although the reason was not immediately clear, his return, reported by news agencies and radio stations in Haiti, appeared to take the Haitian government completely by surprise.

He returned as Haiti remains in a political crisis over a disputed election last fall and the country continues to recover from a devastating earthquake a year ago last week.

I wonder what he's up to?

 

[bikerdruid]

'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti from exile

this cannot be good for haiti.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-11943820
The former president of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, has returned to the country, 25 years after he was overthrown by a popular revolt.

Mr Duvalier - also known as "Baby Doc" - arrived on a flight from France, where he has been living in exile.

It is not clear why he has returned to Haiti, where he is accused of massive corruption.

Haiti is in the midst of a political crisis over disputed presidential elections.

 

[Puppycow]

I win by a nose.

 

[bikerdruid]

I win by a nose.

 

[Professor Yaffle]

I just heard this on the news. They said something about Aristide being expected to return from exile too. Duvalier is supposed to be giving a press conference tomorrow.


ETA: Interview with Aristide from November:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1...democratic-elections-exclusive-interview.html

 

[Puppycow]

Is he not formally charged with any crimes in Haiti?

 

[Professor Yaffle]

Latest news on the elections - for background:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12203021

ETA:
Looks like he planned to return before - in 2006:
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/wo...eturn-to-Haiti-seen-as-play-to-contain-Preval

 

[Puppycow]

Latest news on the elections - for background:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12203021

There's also criticism of the OAS report itself.

It seems like they need to redo the elections from scratch. The process was too flawed to salvage.

 

[Pardalis]

It's one disaster after another.

 

[Puppycow]

Prediction: conspiracy theorists will say that the CIA is behind this.

 

[Sword_Of_Truth]

this cannot be good for haiti.

I agree with Bikerdruid (yes, that did feel weird).

 

[geni]

I suppose that if you were absolutely despirate to find a posertive spin then one of Haitis issues is that it has never really managed to entirely remove the impact of some of it's less savory past leaders. This gives them an opertunity to deal with that.

 

[Bikewer]

All this and civil war too?

 

[Alareth]

Prediction: conspiracy theorists will say that the CIA is behind this.

Like this?

http://world-news.newsvine.com/_new...lier-back-in-haiti-after-long-exile#c50920060

This POS could not come back to Haiti without the assistance of the CIA, France, and Canada. This may be part of a plan to accomplish the Franco-Canadian goal of putting Haiti under the control of the Dominican Republic.

 

[mrgrouch]

Is he not formally charged with any crimes in Haiti?

he has never been formally charged, but amnesty international has said the current government must prosecute him for crimes against humanity.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-...ce-justice-haiti-rights-violations-2011-01-17


cheers

 

[geni]

he has never been formally charged, but amnesty international has said the current government must prosecute him for crimes against humanity.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-...ce-justice-haiti-rights-violations-2011-01-17


cheers

He's been charged now:

Haiti's former leader Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier has been charged with corruption and embezzlement during his 1971-1986 rule, prosecutors say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12219608