Status on the Accommodation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti in South Africa

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 21

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 OF 11 AUGUST 2009

Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

The questions raised were

(1) With reference to her reply to question 11 on 12 March 2009, (a) what is the exact amount in rand value which has been for the accommodation of a certain person ( name furnished) and his entourage since May 2004 until the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) on which dates did her department have the last official talks with the government of Haiti regarding the return of the said person, (c) what conditions has her department stipulated for his return and (d) what criteria are applied in determining when it will be opportune for him to return to Haiti?

The draft reply is as follows

 1a) The South African Government continues 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. The accommodation is provided from Governmental accommodation resources available.

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

  c) 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.

  d) 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.