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June 16, 2009

Bill Clinton Debuts as New UN Special Envoy for Haiti
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UN Chief says former US president was chosen because of efforts made on
behalf of Haitian people during his presidency and through his
foundation 
Former US President Bill Clinton Former U.S. President Bill Clinton made
his debut at United Nations headquarters on Monday as the world body's
new special envoy for Haiti. Mr. Clinton has a long-time interest in the
Caribbean island nation. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he
chose former President Clinton as his special envoy for Haiti because of
the efforts Mr. Clinton made on behalf of the Haitian people during his
presidency and through his foundation. The former president was also
chosen because of his success in mobilizing support for people in the
aftermath of the devastating tsunami in East Asia in 2004."No one is
better placed for this mission," said Ban Ki-moon. "He knows the
country. He loves the people. They love him. This is the strong wish of
the Haitian people and the Haitian government and myself as
secretary-general." Mr. Ban and Mr. Clinton made a joint visit to Haiti
in March. It was a prelude to a U.N. sponsored international donors
conference in Washington that raised $353 million for Haiti's
reconstruction. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere
and suffered further setbacks last year, after being devastated by a
series of tropical storms and hurricanes. Mr. Clinton said he hopes to
help Haitians take control of their own destiny. "I think that Haiti,
not withstanding the total devastation wracked by the four storms last
year, has the best chance to escape the darker aspects of its history in
the 35 years I have been going there," said Bill Clinton. Mr. Clinton
said his priorities as envoy are to support the Haitian government's
efforts to generate new jobs and the delivery of basic services as well
as to develop better storm preparedness plans and encourage the private
sector not only to invest in Haiti, but also to honor previous
commitments to the island nation. 


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