Aristide Keeping A Low Profile

Authorities on Sunday read a statement attributed to exiled Haiti president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, quoting the ousted leader as saying he's "well-looked after" by his hosts and will personally address reporters at an unspecified "opportune time."

Aristide's wife, Mildred, looked on tight-lipped as the short statement was read, but did not speak to reporters. Aristide was not present.

When reporters asked her if her husband was healthy, she nodded. Asked if the couple were prisoners, she sighed.

It was the first public comment from the ousted Haitian leader in a week, after a flurry of phone calls in which he was quoted as saying the United States had forced him from power.

Aristide took up asylum in this impoverished African capital on March 1 after resigning his post in Haiti a day earlier as two-week insurgency swept his Caribbean country.

On Sunday, Central African Republic Foreign Minister Charles Wenezoui read a statement he attributed to Aristide — from a small card handed to him by Aristide's wife in front of the press and news cameras.

"Dear journalists, at the opportune time, I will have the possibility ... to reply to your questions," Wenezoui said, speaking for Aristide.

"We are very well looked after at the presidency," the two-line statement said of the presidential palace where Aristide has stayed.

Earlier, Central African Republic security forces carrying AK47s and extra ammunition clips told press photographers and camera crews assembled in the room that they were prohibited from recording footage.

Authorities here have said that if Aristide asks for long-term asylum in this cut-off, unstable African nation, he will be allowed to stay.

South Africa has been mentioned as another possible permanent home for Aristide, with that country saying it's not opposed to taking him in, but that it hasn't received a formal request.

The United States, France and the West African nation of Gabon arranged Aristide's flight here, Central African Republic authorities said, although it remains unclear why the country was chosen.

Since his rebels overran the capital in March 2003, President Francois Bozize has courted foreign governments and international lending agencies for help in stabilizing the chaotic country.

Although rich in gold, diamonds and other resources, Central African Republic nevertheless is habitually unable to pay its civil servants, helping spark strikes, unrest and coup attempts.

The country has weathered nine coups or coup attempts since independence from France in 1960.