Psssssst - great news!!! Aristide is going home to Haiti!!

[malaise]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110131/wl_afp/haitivotepoliticsaristide_20110131211532
<snip>
Haiti's government said Monday it was ready to issue a new passport to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, which would allow him to return after almost seven years in exile in South Africa.

"The government will give assurances that as soon as it receives such a request, it will be swiftly granted," the information ministry said in a statement.

"It is my understanding that the Council of Ministers has agreed to issue a diplomatic passport to president Aristide befitting his position as a former president of the republic," his lawyer Ira Kurzban told AFP.

"I kindly request that the government of the Republic of Haiti initiate dialogue with the government of the Republic of South Africa to ensure President Aristide's immediate return."

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By the way Hillary Clinton is one tough woman - she was in Haiti last night
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2011/0131/Hillary-Clinton-presses-Haiti-s-Rene-Preval-to-break-election-stalemate
<snip>
After two months of electoral stalemate from Haiti's disputed national election, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the Caribbean nation on Sunday with a clear message for their president: Move out of the way.
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"It is important that the election go forward so there can be a new president," she said in a series of interviews Sunday. "There is so much work to be done in Haiti, and the international community stands ready to help."

[struggle4progress]

1. Well, they certainly didn't get in a big rush to do that

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. change is in the air?

Perhaps the SOS made some ahem requesets yesterday... and pointed at Egypt and the recent riots in Port Au Prince.

[EFerrari]

3. I hope this turns out to be true. n/t

[Catherina]

4. What? The year just keeps getting better! But help me out here

I haven't been following Haiti. What does this mean?

Clinton did not mince words about who she prefers to see in the runoff, saying she would push for Mr. Préval to accept the recommendation of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Rec'd

[Judi Lynn]

5. If he returns, I hope he will have sufficient security. He has been hated for decades by Republicans

in the U.S.for daring to put his people first, rather than the U.S. corporations wanting to use Haiti for the world's cheapest labor supply.

He needs protection from U.S. right-wingers and their assassins.

[scarletwoman]

6. Well, it's about damn time. He should have been allowed back a year ago.

What's happening with Baby Doc right now? I've lost track since all the Tunis and Egypt news took over.

[bananas]

7. Maybe Amy Goodman will accompany him on his return flight

[snappyturtle]

8. K&R nt

[applegrove]

9. Did he spend all his stolen millions too?

[Hannah Bell]

11. lol

[defendandprotect]

10. Tha twould be a promising ending -- maybe this time around Aristide can actually

put democracy and social programs in place, without interference from America/CIA?