Central African Republic Authorities read a statement from Aristide

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=515&ncid=721&e=9&u=/ap/20040307/ap_on_re_af/africa_aristide_exile

By DANIEL BALINT-KURTI, Associated Press Writer

BANGUI, Central African Republic - Authorities in the Central African Republic on Sunday read a statement from exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide saying he's being "well-looked after" and will personally address reporters at an unspecified and "opportune time."

Central African Republic Foreign Minister Charles Wenezoui read the statement he attributed to Aristide from a small card handed to him by Aristide's wife, Mildred, in front of the press.


Aristide's wife looked on tight-lipped as the short statement was read, but did not speak to reporters. Aristide was not present.


"Dear journalists, at the opportune time, I will have the possibility ... to reply to your questions," Wenezoui said, reading the two-line statement from the card. "We are very well looked after," the statement said. <snip>

[I AM SPARTACUS]

1. " United States, France and Gabon arranged Aristides flight to CAR???

Gabon, that new pivotal global power center...

[htuttle]

2. For crying out loud, it sounds like a ransom note

"We are very well looked after."

Mildred did not sound like she was happy by the description of her, either.

When reporters asked Mildred Aristide if her husband was healthy, she nodded. Asked if the couple were prisoners, she sighed.

This is an outrage.

[Chicago Democrat]

3. This proves Aristide is being Coerced!

This is an outragious coercion of an elected leader of a sovereign nation!

[Isome]

4. Why...

Why didn't the short report mention the fact that reporters attempted to speak to the President and his wife but were told they were "not allowed" to have visitors?

That would go a long way towards putting his purported statement into the proper context.