Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Aristide claims he is the legitimate leader of Haiti, and accuses the U.S. government of forcing him from office. U.S. officials say Aristide asked for help and that they saved his life by arranging his Feb. 29 departure aboard a U.S.-chartered aircraft during a bloody rebellion.

Haiti's new prime minister, Gerard Latortue, has warned that Aristide's return to the Caribbean would increase tension in Haiti, where U.S. and French peacekeepers have been deployed to restore order.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 20, 2004
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