Dig Dawg, the UN, and Haiti

On February 3 at the United Nations Headquarters, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised his Special Envoy to Haiti, former US President Bill Clinton, for demonstrating “extremely important leadership.” The UN Secretary-General then asked Clinton "to assume a leadership role in coordinating international aid efforts, from emergency response to new construction of Haiti."

The earthquake that struck the impoverished nation on January 12 left widespread devastation and death in its wake. The Haitian government recently reported that the death toll had topped 200,000. According to information released by the UN, MR Clinton will work with the Haitian government in recovery and reconstruction efforts. He will help coordinate the work of UN agencies and other international partners, including government & non-government donors and private investors.

"I cannot find any other better-suited leader than yourself, Mr. President," Ban Ki-moon told Clinton. MR Clinton first thanked the UN leader and then remarked: 

"I think the challenges are great; we still have a lot of emergency problems to deal with. Almost all the infrastructure’s gone there, so the trick is to get the Haitian people back where they can stop living from day to day and start living week to week or month to month. I will do the best I can." 

The Secretary-General gets no argument from me. There is no one better-suited for leading UN efforts in Haiti’s recovery & reconstruction than the former President. The Haitian people now have an advocate, who will work tirelessly in their behalf. President Clinton will keep his word (do the best he can), and the results will be exceptional.  

In return, I hope Bill Clinton finally gains what he has sought (and been denied) for way too long.