NEW : ` ` The U.S. has worked ` ` to keep him halfway around the world , '' Washington 's lawyer says . The exiled former president has declared his intent to retire . But the lawyer conceded that Aristide 's return would draw attention away from the current list of presidential candidates . A presidential election is set for November . Aristide 's return will destabilize the process , the State Department says .
NEW : ` ` The U.S. has worked ` ` to keep him halfway around the world , '' Washington 's lawyer says . The exiled former president has declared his intent to retire . A presidential election is set for November . Aristide 's return will destabilize the process , the State Department says .