2000 – 2009
2000s
- April 7, 2003Haiti's president Aristide demands that France repay the independence indemnity
On 7 April 2003 President Jean-Bertrand Aristide demands over 21 billion US dollars from France, which he says equals the 90 million gold francs Haiti paid after independence, plus interest. France rejects the claim.
- April 2004Haiti's interim government withdraws the restitution claim against France
In April 2004, weeks after Aristide's removal, Prime Minister Gérard Latortue rescinds the demand, calling it 'illegal, ridiculous' and made 'only for political reasons'. Critics later link the claim to France's stance on Aristide, which is disputed.
- July 24, 2008Codex Sinaiticus goes online
From 24 July 2008 the four institutions holding Codex Sinaiticus, including the British Library and Saint Catherine's Monastery, publish it online. Pages reunite what was split across Leipzig, London, Sinai and St Petersburg.