Status on the Cost of Subsistence and other Costs regarding the Residence of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QOUTE

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 87

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 OF 08 JUNE 2009

Dr P W A Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

(1) Whether the Government is still paying for the cost of subsistence and other costs in relation to the residence of a certain person (details furnished) as presidential guest; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) until what date will the Government bear the costs and (b) what do these costs for him, his family and retinue amount up to the present;

(2) whether she and /or her department have entered into any official dialogue with the government of Haïti to establish whether circumstances are favourable for his return according to the terms she stated in her reply to Question 478 of 19 May 2006; if not, why not; if so, whether any progress has been made;

(3) whether the Government has set a deadline until which the said person will be housed as a presidential guest; if so, what is that date; if not, why not?

REPLY:

1. Yes.

1a. The South African Government continuous to provide accommodation and services to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide equivalent to those provided to a South African Cabinet Minister until conditions in Haiti permit the return of the former president and his family.

1b  The monthly costs related to his accommodation, transport, office support staff and security are similar to the cost associated to a South African Cabinet Minister.

2. The South African Government continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Haiti and regularly monitors conditions in the country.

3. A final date for the return of the former president has not yet been determined. Neither the South African Government nor President Aristide believes that he is here on a permanent basis. The South African Government continues to support Haiti’s endeavours towards nation building, reconciliation, peace justice and stability in consultation with CARICOM and the AU as well as other stakeholders.

UNQOUTE