Johannesburg
Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said he is "ready" to return to the country of South Africa "today, tomorrow, anytime." He has not proposed a specific plan to return to the devastated country.
Aristide lives in South Africa since fled Haiti during a violent rebellion in 2004.
"Since my arrival on the continent required a mother of six and a half years, the Haitian people have continued to call upon my return to Haiti," he said in a statement provided by the South Africa Department of Foreign Affairs Thursday.
Aristide by the United States said Wednesday that the former president does not have a passport, and the Government of Haiti rejects the budget.
"If he is free to go and had a passport, which would plan tomorrow," said Ira Kurzban.
Kurzban told CNN that no discussions have taken place that would allow Aristide to return to the nation that elected him president.
"The United States Government, in cooperation with the South African government was not allowed to return Aristide to Haiti," he said.
It was not clear what evidence he had to reapply, but the U.S. State Department made it clear he has no interest in the idea of going home to Aristide.
"We do not doubt the desire of President Aristide to help the people of Haiti. But today Haiti must concentrate on the future, not past," said spokesman PJ Crowley on Twitter Wednesday. "This is an important period in Haiti. He needs a quiet, not divisive actions distract from the task of forming a new government."
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa declined comment.
A representative Aristide in South Africa declined to say if he had a passport, or if he believed that the Americans and South Africans have been blocked from returning.
Aristide's lawyer said that if the former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier could return, Aristide should not be banned.
"If you can get a permit Duvalier to return, then, indeed, a democratically elected president should be allowed to return," Kurzban said.
Miami attorney, told CNN that Aristide will return home as a private citizen.
"It does not get involved in politics," Kurzban said.
Aristide said in his statement that he wants to go home to serve the people of Haiti "as a private citizen in the field of education."
"The return is required, even for medical reasons, he added.
He said he has had six eye operations in the six years he has lived in South Africa.
"Surgeons are excellent and well qualified, but the excruciating pain experienced in the winter should be avoided to reduce the risk of complications and blindness," he said.
Aristide, a former priest, is a controversial figure in Haiti. His administration has been accused of widespread corruption. But his views on the left uses the poorest of the poor, many of whom have called for its return in recent years.
He spoke after the poorest country was plunged into turmoil by the unexpected return of former dictator Duvalier this week.
Although face charges of embezzlement Duvalier and possible human rights violations, the former dictator has no intention of leaving his homeland, his lawyers said Wednesday.
Lawyer George Reynolds told CNN that Duvalier would fight all charges against him and could very well return to politics.
"You can bet your life on it," George said, referring to the intention of staying Duvalier in Haiti, adding that Duvalier consider renovating one of his former home.
Duvalier made a brief appearance Wednesday out on a balcony in Karibe Hotel and greeted dozens of supporters. "I'll see you later," he said.