This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Aristide Heading Home - by Stephen Lendman
On March 18, Reuters headlined, "Haiti's Aristide heads home before runoff vote," saying:
He "headed back to his country on Friday after ignoring US opposition to a homecoming some fear could disrupt Haiti's presidential election runoff on Sunday."
For months, State Department officials obstructed him, wanting him permanently excluded, especially during Sunday's illegitimate elections, featuring two unpopular presidential candidates most Haitians spurn. Most, in fact, won't participate, knowing either winner represents Washington, not them.
First round November 28 elections and Sunday's runoff were rigged to defraud. Haitians want democracy, what's absent in Sunday's vote.
Earlier, Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked South African President Jacob Zuma to prevent his return. He delayed but didn't stop him. In fact, Aristide's charismatic presence runs counter to America's imperial plans - to solidify colonization, resource theft, and exploitation of poor Haitians, what legitimate democrats oppose, including Aristide.
He's wanted to return any time, "to contribute to serving my Haitian sisters and brothers as a simple citizen in the field of education." He has no further political interests. Believe him. It's true. He wants only to aid Haiti's recovery, doing what he knows and loves best.
On March 17, AP said "South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was on hand to see (him) off," accompanied by his wife Mildred and daughters Michaela, aged 12 and Christine, aged 14.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).