Marchers call for Aristide’s return

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – More than 5,000 supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched through Haiti’s capital Friday, calling for his return and accusing the U.S. government of forcing his departure.

The demonstration began in the hilltop slum of Bel Air and wound through neighborhoods near the presidential palace.

Protesters, many wearing T-shirts and caps with photos of Aristide, chanted “George Bush kidnapped Aristide,” and “Mobilize for Aristide to return!”

Others played drums and cymbals and held framed photos of Aristide, who left Haiti on Feb. 29 as rebels threatened to take the capital. Aristide, who has been granted temporary asylum in South Africa, has accused U.S. agents of kidnapping him – a charge U.S. officials vehemently deny.

Haitian riot police and more than two dozen U.S. Marines patrolled the march route Friday and no violence was reported.

Protesters said new presidential elections would not be legitimate if Aristide didn’t come back and serve out his term.

Aristide has said he wants to return one day, but the conditions must be right. Haiti’s new leaders, meanwhile, have opened an investigation into complaints of corruption during Aristide’s administration.

“We can never go to elections without Aristide being returned,” said Johnny Daris, a 21-year-old mechanic.

U.S.-backed interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue has said legislative elections are to be held in September 2005 and presidential elections two months later.

Haiti, the Western hemisphere’s poorest country, has been in crisis since Aristide’s Lavalas Family Party swept disputed 2000 legislative elections. International donors suspended millions in aid, and in the past year the island nation became embroiled in violent confrontations between Aristide partisans and opposition supporters.

Aristide was first flown on a U.S.-chartered jet to the Central African Republic. He later moved temporarily to Jamaica before leaving for South Africa on May 31.

Following Aristide’s departure, the United States sent troops under a U.N. mandate.

At a meeting in Ecuador last week, the Organization of American States opened the way for an investigation into Aristide’s ouster.

The human rights group Amnesty International, meanwhile, released a report Friday calling for action to disarm politically allied factions and criticizing the work of a U.S.-led multinational force, saying it didn’t do enough to help police make the country secure.

U.S. military officials disagree, saying the force has returned stability and security to pre-crisis levels and carried out more than 3,300 patrols, detaining those wanted for crimes and confiscating illegal weapons while the police force has increased in size. The troops also flew aid to remote areas following floods last month and carried out humanitarian projects.

A U.N. force led by Brazilian troops is taking over this month.