By: Alva James-Johnson - Suns Sentinel

How were you received when you returned [to Haiti in August 2007]?

They were telling me so many people wanted to see me. I couldn't believe that. From the airport, I got a big reception at the VIP room. And then the media covered me, all of them, TV, journalists, reporters and all that. And so I had an impromptu press conference, and the press conference, they asked me so many questions. And then I finally get to the door to the exit of the airport, and a crowd outside was waiting for me. They had to call on the security forces in order to have a little bit of control, cause everybody wants to jump on me, embrace me, say hello, pull my hand and so and so. Finally I took a ride to a park nearby. There I met the crowd. It was amazing. So we start chanting, dancing, singing.

Many people at one time thought you would have run for president. Do you think that's still something in a lot of people's minds?

It is in the mind. I have to face this question so many times. First, there is no campaign now. It's three years, four years from now. They still coming with the same questions. And it seems that they want to draft me right away. And I have to tell them that the Lavalas family doesn't take power through coup d'etat. We have given a mandate to President René Préval, and we know that all of us would respect his mandate. So Préval is the president. I support him. And I ask everyone to support him, and then do whatever we can to come together.

When you returned to Haiti this last time, were there still charges pending against you?

No. Before I left Haiti in January (2006), the judge had dropped the main charges such as the killing of Jacques Roche. And now, there were two lesser charges. They wanted to drop them. They said I have to ask for pardon. I said: "No. I was not going to ask for pardon. If you don't drop them, I was going to go on appeal." Two of the three judges on the panel want to hear my case. And then when I returned to Haiti, I was expecting if they want me they could get me, but instead I heard they would like to see me in November for a hearing in order to officially drop everything.

You were suspended from the priesthood; has that been lifted?

The church itself took a position, believing that I am a (political) candidate. They falsely put a sanction on me. It's not for the whole church. It's for the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, I cannot exercise my priestly functions. The Archbishop of Miami, he has been very friendly. He came to visit me. We talked. But he said if Haiti doesn't give him the green light, he cannot help me. That's where I am. I am here as a priest, cut from my parish, cut from my diocese, and arriving here my brothers in the priesthood and the church hierarchy abandoned me.

Do you have plans to return to Haiti permanently?

Definitely. I would like to. I need the green light from the doctors. I want the support of the people to return to Haiti.

On your last visit, how would you describe the conditions that you saw?

It's miserable because when I arrived from the plane, the first thing that struck me has been the dry condition, the environment. Long time it has not been raining in Haiti. So it was hot, dusty by the airport and to my parish. I see the people coming. Many of them hungry, not working, but they enjoy the peace and security that are still prevailing in Haiti now, under Préval.

Did you have an opportunity to talk to President Préval?

I did talk to President Préval. I sent him some email. He answered me. He was little bit angry at me, because I told him that "we're not friends anymore, it seems. I wrote you, no answer. I call you, no answer." He said: "Jean-Juste, you said that I'm not your friend anymore? It's not true. I have not received your phone call. I have not received your letters. It's not my fault. And so "OK, I said, I understand." And he asked me to be in touch with his staff to prepare my arrival in Haiti. So I had a great reception because the police had been very nice to me at the airport. They secured me all the way to the church, nightlong I received security. I spent three days in Haiti, no threats, nobody bothered me, except on one radio a former coup leader who is a representative (from his town) now. He went on the radio calling for the arrest of Jean-Juste.

You have been a strong supporter of former President (Jean-Bertrand) Aristide, and have pushed for his return to Haiti under the Préval government? Are you optimistic that that will happen any time soon?

The past week, I heard pertinent information that will encourage us to continue pressure for the return of President Aristide. I have learned, not confirmed yet, I have learned that President George Bush has taken his hands off the Aristide case, in a sense that he won't be an obstacle for the return of President Aristide. The Haitian Constitution must be respected. If President Préval acts right now, in good faith, it will be very, very appreciated by the Lavalas people within Haiti, outside Haiti. And also it will be a great service to the South African government, as next year they go into elections.

What is your response to people who feel that if he does return to the country now that would be disruptive to the progress that's being made?

President Aristide is not going to run for any electoral position. President Aristide now, with all his experience, says he could help us a lot in education, in culture, in music, in languages. So he has his place in Haiti. And plus, we cannot continue to put the burden on South Africa. I understand that the opposition down there is using the presence of President Aristide to gain votes on the back of the ruling party.

Do you believe there is still hope for Haiti?

Yes. Of course there's hope. That's a secret in Haiti. Most of us — I should say 99 percent of us — are believers. We believe in God, the living God. This is our strength. Along history, this spiritual strength has allowed us to make miracles. If we respect the laws of our country, and if we love our country, if we put in practice love for each other, Haiti can be turned around any time.