US considers prosecution of Aristide on corruption charges

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 07, 2004

US considers prosecution of Aristide on corruption charges

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that American judicial authorities are considering prosecuting former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on corruption charges, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

"There are inquiries being made by our judicial authorities in the United States to see if there is any evidence of wrongdoing onhis (Aristide's) part," Powell was quoted as saying in a news conference during his short visit to Haiti on Monday.

An American indictment against Aristide on drug trafficking or other international charges would further inflame political tensions between those who contend that he was forced into exile by American troops and others who assert that the Americans saved his life, the report said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of state said the United States is opposed to a request from the 15-nation Caribbean Community -- which refuses to recognize the new Haitian interim government -- for a United Nations investigation into Aristide's departure from Haiti.

"I do not think any purpose would be served by such an inquiry," Powell said.

Aristide, who was forced to resign and leave Haiti on February 29, has claimed he was "abducted" by US forces and left his country against his will. The United States has dismissed the claim as "sheer nonsense."

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

Former Haitian president arrives in Jamaica

Nigeria offers Haiti's ousted Aristide temporary asylum

Ousted Haitian president to arrive in Nigeria for asylum next week

Israel's killing of Yassin fuels conflict: Commentary ( 2 Messages)

How the US could improve its image abroad ( 14 Messages)

US urged not to fingerprint Chinese ( 10 Messages)

China hunts corrupt officials who abscond overseas ( 3 Messages)

Seven Chinese activists land on Diaoyu Islands ( 4 Messages)