http://www.smh.com.au/world/no-returns-exleaders-flight-one-they-just-dont-fancy-20120122-1qc62.html
No returns: ex-leader's flight one they just don't fancy
Lydia Polgreen
January 23, 2012
a..
A crowd of people outside the Antananarivo airport anticipates the arrival of Madagascar's ousted leader, Marc Ravalomanana. Photo: AFP
JOHANNESBURG: A commercial airliner carrying the ousted president of Madagascar back to the country's capital was turned around midflight, after government officials abruptly closed the nation's airspace on Saturday, apparently to prevent the plane landing.
Thousands had gathered at the airport to greet the former president, Marc Ravalomanana, who was making his second attempt in two years to return to his homeland. Twice elected president, he was ousted in a military-backed coup in March 2009 and replaced by Andry Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital, Antananarivo.
Last February, Mr Ravalomanana was prevented from boarding a flight in Johannesburg when he tried to return home, but this time it appeared the groundwork had been laid for his trip.
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Talks with the political parties in Madagascar and regional diplomats in recent months had produced a road map to resolve the country's political crisis and end its isolation by allowing all exiles to come back. An order declaring him persona non grata had been rescinded, a spokesman for Mr Ravalomanana said.
Government officials said on Friday that they planned to arrest the former president when he landed - he had been convicted in absentia in connection with the killings of anti-government protesters by the presidential guard.
''All the talk yesterday evening was that his return was good and they were going to arrest him,'' said Patrick Gearing, the spokesman for Mr Ravalomanana. ''I don't know why the change of heart now.''
Speaking to Agence France-Presse on the plane after it had been turned back from Madagascar, Mr Ravalomanana criticised his successor, saying: ''Rajoelina doesn't have the political will to solve the crisis in Madagascar. This is proof to the world.''
Mr Ravalomanana boarded a South African Airways flight that left Johannesburg for Antananarivo about 10am on Saturday. But shortly after noon it was turned back.
Mr Ravalomanana refused to disembark in Johannesburg and the plane sat on the tarmac for hours as South African officials tried to figure out what to do.
After another two hours of negotiations, he agreed to get off the plane and planned to spend the night in Pretoria while talks with senior regional diplomats continue, his spokesman said.
The New York Times
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/no-returns-exleaders-flight-one-they-just-dont-fancy-20120122-1qc62.html#ixzz1kJ9M3f8p
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