“Baby Doc”: Sorry for “wrongs” as dictator

In a speech recorded from Paris, exiled former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier apologized for any “wrongs” committed under his rule. “I solemnly take the historical responsibility ... to request forgiveness from the people” said Duvalier who also called for support to his fringe political party which is run by handful of supporters in Haiti.

Some victims of Duvalier’s harsh 15-year dictatorship have not been so tolerant of his quasi-apology:

Bobby Duval, a former soccer star who was starved and tortured while locked up for 17 months under the Duvalier regime for speaking out against human rights abuses, said it was the first time he could recall the former dictator apologizing for his regime's atrocities – but said it did not go far enough.

“He killed thousands of people, stole money and destroyed the psyche and heart of a people. This guy should be in jail and I'm just waiting for him to come back so that can happen,” said Duval, who now runs a sports outreach program. “I don't accept his apology.”

Sources- Newsday.com, Hardbeatnews, SignOnSanDiego.com

Image- BBC News