Bush administration denies forcing Aristide's retreat:

"Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell joined the White House in denying that the United States had forced out Aristide.
McClellan told reporters that Aristide left on his own free will. 'We took steps to protect Mr. Aristide and his family so they would not be harmed as they departed Haiti,' he said.

Rumsfeld, at a Pentagon news conference, said he was involved in the diplomatic flurry preceding Aristide's departure. 'The idea that someone was abducted is inconsistent with everything I saw,' he said. 'I don't believe that's true, that he's claiming that. I would be absolutely amazed if that were the case.' "