South Africa: No Formal Asylum Request Received From Aristide

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Government has reiterated its stance on the granting of political asylum to ousted Haiti President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, saying the issue has not arisen since there has been no formal request to that effect.

...Government chief spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe told journalists after the cabinet meeting that government could only consider such an issue based of formal submissions.

...Furthermore, Cabinet expressed its concern on the manner in which Mr Aristide was forced to leave Haiti.

Mr Netshitenzhe described the manner in which he left as an "armed coup".

http://allafrica.com/stories/200403040316.html