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Duvalier Apologizes for Atrocities in Haiti During His Reign

   Former dictator expresses 'profound sadness.'

   VOA News  22 January 2011
   Haiti's  former dictator Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier, left, greets
   supporters  from  the  balcony  of  his  hotel room in Port-au-Prince,
   Haiti, 19 Jan. 2011

Photo: AP

   Haiti's  former dictator Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier, left, greets
   supporters  from  the  balcony  of  his  hotel room in Port-au-Prince,
   Haiti, Wednesday Jan. 19, 2011. At right is Jouvert Pascal who is part
   of Duvalier's entourage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

   Former   Haitian   dictator   Jean-Claude   "Baby  Doc"  Duvalier  has
   acknowledged  that under his 15-year reign, people were "assassinated,
   suffocated, interrogated" and "subjected to tire necklace burnings."
   Duvalier  said  Friday  he feels "profound sadness" for his countrymen
   who  consider  themselves  "rightly  to  have  been  victims  of"  his
   government.
   He said he has returned to Haiti to show his solidarity at a difficult
   period  for  the  country,  which  is  struggling  to  recover  from a
   devastating earthquake one year ago.
   Duvalier  made  his comments in Port-au-Prince, five days after making
   an  unexpected  return  to  his  homeland following a 25-year exile in
   France.
   Haitian  authorities  have  launched  an investigation into the crimes
   committed  during  Duvalier's  rule.  Officials in Haiti have charged
   him  with  corruption  and  embezzlement  of public funds, and several
   Haitians  have  filed lawsuits accusing him of human rights violations
   during his rule.
   Amnesty  International said Friday it has handed over 100 documents to
   Haitian  officials  detailing  dozens  of  cases  of detention without
   trial,  systematic  torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial
   executions under Duvalier's leadership.
   The  motives  for  Duvalier's  return have been a source of debate and
   confusion  in  Haiti.   Some  believe  he  has returned with hopes of
   unlocking his frozen Swiss bank accounts.

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