Benin's foreign minister in Haiti

Sunday, October 12, 2003

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Within the framework of the preparations for the bicentenary of Haiti's independence, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide received Mr. Rogetien Biaou, the foreign minister of Benin, yesterday at the National Palace, the BBC reported. Messrs Aristide and Biaou reportedly discussed the cooperation between the two countries within the framework of these festivities. 

For his part, the foreign minister of Benin says he was pleased by this meeting and promised to work to strengthen cooperation between Haiti and Benin. Furthermore, the chief of staff of Mr. Aristide announced they will be present in Gonaives - where Haiti's independence was declared - despite the protest movement aimed at overthrowing him following the death of Mr. Amiot Metayer.

The visit comes amidst Haitian Foreign Minister, Mr. Joseph Philippe Antonio's arrival in South Africa today, for a three-day visit with President Thabo Mbeki, AFP reported.

The minister will also reportedly have talks with Foreign Minister Mr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. 

"The two ministers will also discuss synergies between Haiti's centennial independence celebrations and 10 years of freedom in South Africa in 2004," AFP quoted a government statement as saying.

On January 1, 2004 Haiti celebrates 200 years since its army of black slaves and freemen defeated an expeditionary force sent by Napoleon to crush the rebellion there, becoming the second nation in the western hemisphere after the United States to gain independence.

The Caribbean nation earlier this week presented France with a bill for the precise sum of US$21,685,155,571.48 as reparation for the suffering caused in during the colonial period.

Opposition figures in Haiti, including many writers and artists, have condemned what they say are President Jean Bertrand Aristide's plans to turn the independence celebrations into "a propaganda campaign aimed at legitimising a power that was usurped and is recognised today as despotic and totalitarian," the French daily Le Monde reported.

South Africa will celebrate 10 years of democracy after the end of apartheid on 27th, April 2004.

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