Resist Haiti occupation - Aristide

Exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has called on his countrymen to peacefully resist the “unacceptable occupation” of Haiti and said he remained the nation’s president.

“The Haitian people resist and must continue to finalise a peaceful resistance to face down this unacceptable occupation that follows this political kidnapping which is also unacceptable,” Aristide said.

Aristide said in comments aired on French radio station RTL that he was “elected president of Haiti democratically” and “remains the constitutional president” despite his departure.

Aristide flew into exile on March 1 in the Central African Republic where he is currently housed in an apartment at the presidential palace in Bangui, the capital.

Aristide reiterated claims that he was kidnapped, saying that he thought he was being taken to make a speech before the nation when he was, instead, put aboard a plane.

He said he left “next to arms brandished by American and foreign military” who had taken up positions around the presidential palace in the Haitian capital and at the airport.

“I thought they were going to lead me to the press to speak to the nation. I found myself aboard an airplane for 20 hours without knowing where I would land,” he said.

The United States, France and the West African nation of Gabon arranged Aristide’s flight to Bangui. French and American troops are in Haiti