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Demonstrators demand Aristide's return 11/3/2004

Hundreds of people demonstrated Thursday in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince to demand the return of deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who reportedly will travel to Jamaica from Central African Republic.

The demonstration took place near the Presidential Palace, where interim President Boniface Alexandre is scheduled to meet the recently appointed prime minister, Gerard Latortue, according to reports reaching here.

The demonstrators, some of them with fire arms, broke glasses ofvehicles and fired shots a few times. At least one person was wounded. Aristide's supporters were quelled by the police, reportssaid.

The demonstrators demanded the arrest of US Ambassador to Port-au-Prince James Foley, who was accused of instigating Aristide's ouster.

The former president, currently exiled in the Central African Republic, stated he was toppled by the United States with the helpof France. He said he was the victim of a kidnapping and claimed he was still Haiti's constitutional president.

Aristide urged his followers to peacefully resist the occupation by foreign troops and voiced his will to return to his country.

On Thursday, Jamaica said Aristide and his wife will travel to the Caribbean country next week from exile in Central African Republic.

Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said Aristide was not seeking political asylum in Jamaica.

"Mr. Aristide has expressed a wish to return temporarily to theCaribbean with his wife and to be reunited with their two young children, who are currently in the United States," Patterson said in a statement.




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