Clinton named tsunami envoy
2005-02-01 21:34
New York - Secretary-General Kofi Annan has selected former United States president Bill Clinton to be the United Nations point man for tsunami reconstruction.
He also must ensure the world doesn't forget the immense needs of the countries devastated by the December 26 disaster, said a well-informed UN diplomat on Tuesday.
UN spokesperson Fred Eckhard refused to confirm the appointment, but said "a statement will be released on the subject by my office in the next few hours".
The UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the appointment of Clinton as Annan's top envoy for the rehabilitation of tsunami-devastated countries would expand on the former president's efforts to raise money in the United States.
Soon after the disaster, US President George W Bush named Clinton and his father, former president George HW Bush, to head a nationwide private fund-raising effort.
The two ex-presidents have been travelling throughout the United States raising money and Bush said last week they hoped to go to the tsunami-ravaged Indian Ocean region to illustrate the need for continued financial help from Americans to rebuild the area.
He didn't say when.
- AP