Ja: Aristide reminded it's time to go

OUSTED Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is making final preparations to leave Jamaica and take asylum in South Africa, an official said yesterday.

Although there is no firm departure date, Aristide will fly to South Africa with his wife, Mildred, and the couple's two daughters, according to his spokesman Huntley Medley.

"He'll be happy to leave when the arrangements are made," Medley said, declining to elaborate on what arrangements were being made with the South Africans.

The Jamaican Government has said Aristide's stay would not exceed 10 weeks. Since he arrived March 15, he has been staying at a government-owned in St Ann.

It's rather delicious how the Jamaican newspapers have been diligently doing the government's bidding by issuing these periodical reminders to Aristide that it's time to hit the road. This last one in the Observer is rather much like a boot to the arse. Man, just when we thought Jamaica loved Aristide!!