Baby Doc: I’m putting Haiti before myself

The former Haitian dictator says he returned to help Haiti despite the troubles he knew he could face.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, – Former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier has told the Haitian people that he returned after 25 years in exile to help in the reconstruction of the country, despite the troubles that awaited him here.

Duvalier, who returned to his homeland from France four days after the country marked the first anniversary of the January 12th earthquake, issued his first public statement a few days after he was slapped with corruption charges stemming from his actions during his 15-year rule.

“When I made the decision to come back to Haiti to commemorate this sad anniversary with you, in our country, I was ready for any kind of persecution,” he said on Friday. “But I believe that the desire to participate by your side in this collaboration for the national reconstruction far outweighs any harassment I could face.”

Duvalier is also accused of several human rights abuses. It’s alleged that throughout his 1971 to 1986 rule, systematic torture, extrajudicial executions and arbitrary detentions were commonplace in Haiti.

Former Haiti dictator makes surprise return

After 25 years in exile, "Baby Doc" who is alleged to have stolen millions of dollars from the people of Haiti during his rule, surprised residents and government officials with his return. (File photo)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, - Former president Jean-Claude Duvalier yesterday threw Haiti in a tailspin with his return from France after 25 years in exile. The unexpected arrival of "Baby Doc", as he's known, comes at a time when a cloud of political uncertainty remains over the country.

He arrived on an Air France flight last night with a female companion identified as Veronique Roy.

As news spread of his return, hundreds of his supporters converged at the airport. The cheering crowd eventually swelled to about 2,000.

Duvalier, 59, who is alleged to have stolen millions from government coffers during his rule, told reporters he came back to help the people of Haiti and participate in the country's rebirth, although he did not say what he specifically intended to do.

"I was waiting for this moment for a long time. When I first set foot on the ground, I felt great joy," he told the Reuters news agency. "I wanted to show them my solidarity, to tell them that I am here."

Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said he did not know Duvalier was coming back but noted, "He is a Haitian and, as such, is free to return home."