The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to name former U.S. President Bill Clinton as special envoy to Haiti.
U.N. officials say that an announcement could be made as early as Tuesday.
Meanwhile, former President Clinton, in a statement to The Miami Herald said that it is an honor to accept the secretary general’s invitation to become special envoy to Haiti.
In March, Clinton had accompanied Ban to Haiti, having raised awareness of that country’s plight in the aftermath of four devastating hurricanes last year.
Clinton said that, 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.”
Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and many speculate that with Clinton’s appointment, more than likely there will be enhanced interest in and increased investments to that country.
Both Clinton and Ban have said that Haiti’s growth potential is enormous and during their visit in March, urged the government to exploit fully its favorable terms of trade with the United States as well as the 9,000 strong U.N. peacekeepers to stabilize the country.
