Witness: The strange day "Baby Doc" Duvalier took over Haiti

[Joanne98]

(Reuters) - Watched carefully by a coterie of ministers and aides, the plump teenager remained ensconced on the hard-padded sofa as I and other foreign journalists filed up one by one to meet Haiti's new President-for-Life.

The handshake was limp, the palm pudgy and Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, in gaudy tie but dark, buttoned-up double-breasted suit despite the heat, gazed vaguely into the distance, avoiding eye contact with his visitors.

It was April 1971, in the gilded reception room of the now wrecked Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince, just 48 hours after the 19-year-old's father, long-time dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, was officially declared dead.

This past weekend, after 15 years as Haiti's official leader followed by 25 years in exile, "Baby Doc" returned to the earthquake-shattered Caribbean country saying he wanted to help in the reconstruction effort.

But human rights groups quickly called for Haiti to arrest and prosecute him for crimes against humanity.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70G43M20110117

[Monsoon]

1. If he wants to help I wonder if he brought back the money

his family probably looted from the country?

[davidinalameda]

3. he probably spent it all

and is back for more

[jwirr]

4. Post here said he is broke and that his ex-wife got most of the money

they didn't spend on high living.

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R