U.S. considers prosecuting Aristide, Powell says in Haiti [View All]

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By CHRISTOPHER MARQUIS
THE NEW YORK TIMES

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said during a visit here yesterday that U.S. judicial authorities were looking into prosecuting former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on corruption charges.

"There are inquiries being made by our judicial authorities in the U.S. to see if there is any evidence of wrongdoing," Powell said in a news conference with the interim prime minister, Gerard Latortue.


Powell said he "will be working hard to reintegrate Haiti in the Caribbean Community," in the weeks ahead.

Also yesterday, Latortue announced he would create a commission modeled after South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to deal with past crimes and grievances. He didn't give details.

Powell said the Bush administration would provide $9 million to the Organization of American States to promote democratic practices, in addition to $55 million in aid for Haiti's people for the current fiscal year. A donors conference is likely to be held by this summer.

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