Tuesday, 16 June 2009
The United Nations named former President Bill Clinton on Tuesday (16th of June) as its special envoy to Haiti. He is tasked with helping the country to recover from last years violent storms. His mission will be of assistance providing stability to the country in the view of other crises.
"It is very important to help this country," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
Clinton stated that he was honored to accept the post.
"I believe Haiti is better positioned to make progress for all its people than at any time since I first visited in 1978," he said in a statement. Last year's natural disasters took a great toll, but Haiti's government and people have the determination and ability to 'build back better,' not just to repair the damage done but to lay the foundations for the long term sustainable development that has eluded them for so long," the former president said.
Besides, the U.S. representatives welcomed the appointment. They explained that the Obama administration had already been preparing a team to help Haiti. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton praised the appointment and said that;
"We think that Ban Ki-moon has chosen a high-profile envoy to raise the visibility of the needs of the people of Haiti," she told reporters at the White House. It's the kind of partnership we are looking for across the board. This is going to be an added bit of leverage and focus for us."
According to various news agency, Haitians welcomed the international attention and they said Clinton will bring hope to their desperate nation and some expressed optimism that he can help alleviate poverty.
