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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| 'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti from exile | 'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti from exile |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The former president of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, has returned to the country, 25 years after he was overthrown by a popular revolt. | The former president of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, has returned to the country, 25 years after he was overthrown by a popular revolt. |
| Mr Duvalier, 59, also known as "Baby Doc", arrived on a flight from France where he had been living in exile. | Mr Duvalier, 59, also known as "Baby Doc", arrived on a flight from France where he had been living in exile. |
| It was not clear what prompted his return, though he said he wanted "to help the people of Haiti" following last year's devastating earthquake. | It was not clear what prompted his return, though he said he wanted "to help the people of Haiti" following last year's devastating earthquake. |
| He arrives amid political uncertainty after disputed presidential elections. | He arrives amid political uncertainty after disputed presidential elections. |
| Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said there was no reason to believe Mr Duvalier's return would destabilise the country. | Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said there was no reason to believe Mr Duvalier's return would destabilise the country. |
| "He is a Haitian and, as such, is free to return home," said Mr Bellerive. | "He is a Haitian and, as such, is free to return home," said Mr Bellerive. |
| Voodoo cult | Voodoo cult |
| Wearing a dark suit and tie, Mr Duvalier was greeted by a small group of supporters when he stepped off an Air France flight at Port-au-Prince airport. | Wearing a dark suit and tie, Mr Duvalier was greeted by a small group of supporters when he stepped off an Air France flight at Port-au-Prince airport. |
| Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957. | Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957. |
| He is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule. | He is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule. |
| Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies. | Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies. |
| Like his father, he relied on a brutal private militia known as the "Tontons Macoutes", which controlled Haiti through violence and intimidation. | |
| "Papa Doc" reinforced his power with a fearsome personality cult based on Haiti's traditional voodoo religion, but "Baby Doc" was regarded as more of a playboy. | "Papa Doc" reinforced his power with a fearsome personality cult based on Haiti's traditional voodoo religion, but "Baby Doc" was regarded as more of a playboy. |
| In 1986 he was forced to flee into exile by a popular uprising, as well as diplomatic pressure from the US. | In 1986 he was forced to flee into exile by a popular uprising, as well as diplomatic pressure from the US. |
| Since then, he has lived in France, although he was never granted formal political asylum. | Since then, he has lived in France, although he was never granted formal political asylum. |
| In a radio interview in 2007, he asked the Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule. | In a radio interview in 2007, he asked the Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule. |
| A small group of Duvalier loyalists have been campaigning to bring him home from exile. | A small group of Duvalier loyalists have been campaigning to bring him home from exile. |
| His return to Haiti came on the day the country was supposed to hold the second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing president Rene Preval. | His return to Haiti came on the day the country was supposed to hold the second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing president Rene Preval. |
| But the vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper. | But the vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper. |
| Provisional results of the 28 November first round provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced in December, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation. | Provisional results of the 28 November first round provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced in December, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation. |
| Haiti is also struggling to recover from a massive earthquake a year ago which killed more than 250,000 people and left the capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins. | |
| Are you in Haiti? What do you think of the return of "Baby Doc"? What effect will it have on the country? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Haiti? What do you think of the return of "Baby Doc"? What effect will it have on the country? Send us your comments using the form below. |