A Jamaica Defence Force officer stands guard at the entrance of the sprawling country estate of Lydford Park in St. Ann, where former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife Mildred are staying. - Patrick Campbell/Freelance Photographer WESTERN BUREAU:
RESIDENTS OF Lydford Park, a quiet rural community on the outskirts of Golden Grove, St. Ann, had mixed reactions to the arrival of their newest neighbours, ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife Mildred. "I don't mind having him (Aristide) here because he is one of us, he is a Caribbean man," said teenager Tyrone James, a grade nine student of the Golden Grove All Age School.
"Our leaders don't know when they too might need help from our neighbours." However, one of his teachers at Golden Grove, who asked not to be named, was totally opposed to Mr. Aristide's presence in Jamaica, noting that government should not waste time nor resources on the former president.
"We already have enough problems here so we should not be taking on Mr. Aristide's problem as well," she said, pointing out that the country's resources should be spent on addressing the country's needs. "I would like to know how much it is going to cost to keep him in that great house for the ten weeks." Valrie Somers, of Lynford Park, who said she only became aware that Mr. Aristide was coming when the two helicopters arrived shortly after 2:00 p.m., thinks Jamaicans should welcome the former president but only if his intentions are honourable. He should be asked to leave if he compromises his position as our guest, she said. "If he just wants a place to relax and clear his head then I don't have a problem with him staying here, especially in this area, which is so peaceful and quiet," said Ms. Somers. "However, if his conduct is not acceptable we should not think twice about asking him to leave."
THE DECISION
If security was at the heart of the government's decision to stash the ousted Haitian President and his wife out of public view in the deep rural community of Lynford, in St. Ann, they might have only succeeded partially.
There was very little secrecy among the residents of the area about the decision to house him at the great house as most persons in and around the area where quite aware that he was coming there to stay.
Unlike the residents of the area, the JDF soldier, with an M16 assault rifle slung across his chest, who was guarding the entrance of the sprawling property, had very few words for the members of the media, who converged there.
Behind the soldiers in the distance, a Jamaica Public Service Company crew was seen installing security lights on a number of palm trees, which circled the property. A number of soldiers in camouflage uniforms were observed in the bushy areas surrounding the estate. During the early afternoon, a number of heavily tinted vehicles entered and left the compound at regular intervals. A number of security officials and persons, who appeared to be guests at the property, were seen walking in and out of the section of the house, which was closest to the road leading to the property.
