22123: (Chamberlain) Aristide to leave Jamaica for South Africa Sunday (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Horace Helps

     KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 28 (Reuters) - Deposed former Haitian President
Jean Bertrand Aristide will leave Jamaica on Sunday for exile in South
Africa, his spokesman said on Friday.
     "I can now confirm that he will depart Jamaica for South Africa on
Sunday," said Huntley Medley, who served as Aristide's spokesman during the
11 weeks the former Haitian leader spent in Jamaica.
     Medley said travel arrangements were completed late on Thursday but
declined to say whether Aristide, his family and their bodyguards would
travel by private charter or commercial flight.
     "There are some security concerns about his flight arrangements, so I
would not like to give that information at this time," Medley told Reuters.
     Aristide thanked his Jamaican hosts for their hospitality when he
arrived on March 15, but has made no public statements since. He will hold
a news conference in Kingston shortly before departing, Medley said.
     "Mr. Aristide will also be meeting with Prime Minister P.J. Patterson
before he leaves; at which time, I am sure that he will also thank the
Jamaican people for the kindness shown to him and his family during their
stay," Medley said.
     "He is in good spirits and looks forward to his trip to South Africa."
      Aristide left Haiti during an armed revolt on Feb. 29 and was flown
to the Central African Republic on a flight arranged by the United States.
He traveled to Jamaica to reunite with his children and arrange exile
elsewhere, and South Africa approved his asylum request two weeks ago.
     Aristide and his family have been staying at a state-owned guest house
northeast of Kingston while in Jamaica.