May 19, 2009
Posted: May 19th, 2009 12:55 PM ET
Bill Clinton has been named the United Nations special envoy to Haiti.
Bill Clinton has been named the United Nations special envoy to Haiti.

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton has been named U.N. special envoy to Haiti, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

"I am confident that President Clinton will bring energy, dynamism and focus to the task of mobilizing international support for Haiti's economic recovery and reconstruction," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

The United Nations said that Clinton will help Haitian authorities "jump-start sustainable social and economic development."

"He will focus attention on the importance of new partnerships and efforts among the private sector, civil society, and donors, as well as strengthen local capacity, and create a more stable and prosperous future for the children of Haiti."

During his presidency, Clinton had been engaged in helping the impoverished Caribbean nation rebuild. Haiti, which the United Nations says is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been badly hit by rising food and oil prices, devastating storms, and ongoing political instability.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • United Nations


Andrew Lee, Nashville, TN   May 19th, 2009 2:56 pm ET

That's awesome. I just recently became aware of the struggles of Haitian Children and know that Haiti needs help desperately.

If anyone would like to know how to help do a search for Danita's Children. It's an amazing organization that has been doing amazing things in Haiti for 10 years.

I am so excited to see the US shining a spotlight on this country.

Carl   May 19th, 2009 2:48 pm ET

I hope Bill goes to Haiti AND stays there!

No More Incumbents   May 19th, 2009 2:46 pm ET

He's such a saint.......

Shari, NY   May 19th, 2009 2:33 pm ET

Mr. Clinton: Please see to it that Haiti embarks on a massive, well supervised reforestation program. The land is severely denuded (of trees) and while neighboring Cuba can withstand a Cat 2 hurricane, Haiti cannot tolerate a flash flood which takes everything in its path from the mountain to the shore. The hurricane season starts in a few weeks and history has a habit of repeating itself in this area. Without soil preservation, many grandiose schemes will come to naught.

SLM   May 19th, 2009 2:25 pm ET

How much of our money is he going to give away?

Obama Victim   May 19th, 2009 2:17 pm ET

Haven't those poor Haitians suffered enough?

Confused USA Citizen   May 19th, 2009 2:17 pm ET

He was not much of a leader or inspiration for the United States how does anyone think he can be a leader in the western world not even able to identify with everyday society there.

b franklin   May 19th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

A couple of questions
1) Will US tax-payers be footing the Bill for his trips and security to and from Haiti?
2) How long until he is in the press for ogling some poor young Haitian girl?

Brian   May 19th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

If anyone knows about government positions that blow, it's Bill Clinton. ZING!

Scott   May 19th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

Haiti? Seriously? Isn't this a bit of a comedown for the former leader of the free world? Israel, maybe, Northern Ireland, the Balkans... but Haiti???

Claudia in Houson   May 19th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

Great job for former President Clinton being that he is the most qualified and respected president to foreign countries.

dominican mama 4 Obama   May 19th, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Who did my boy Bill piss off this time?!

John   May 19th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Wrong Choice.

Rush Limbaugh is the Right Person for this Job. :)

If we want to make Enemies with any Country – Send Rush Limbaugh as Envoy. He will Talk through his Radio Station. :(

PoliticoMike   May 19th, 2009 1:43 pm ET

Good call! Haitians love this man, hell all blacks love this man!

Darth Vadik, CA   May 19th, 2009 1:40 pm ET

Rush's head may be exploding right about now, excep when Rush met Bill a couple years ago in a restaurant. From what Rush himself said, his knees were giving out, and he felt like making love to Bill himself (I'm paraphrasing, but it's pretty close)

Fair is Fair   May 19th, 2009 1:39 pm ET

In an unrelated story, the commerce department said today that the Hatian government is doubling the number of cigars exported to the United States.

When asked for comment, former President Clinton quipped, "Well, I can say I LOVE the aroma of a good cigar".

Honest1inVA   May 19th, 2009 1:36 pm ET

Maybe Hannibal Lechter will pay him a dinner visit while he's there.
Payback for the NAFTA agreement!

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