Bill Clinton Chosen for Tsunami Recovery

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan believes “no one could possibly be better qualified for this task,” a spokesman for Annan said.

“The secretary-general is confident that President Clinton will bring energy, dynamism and focus to the task of sustaining world interest in the vital recovery and reconstruction phase,” the spokesman said in a written statement.

At President George W. Bush’s request, Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush are helping to encourage private-sector financial support to help tsunami-struck areas.

When named to that position last month, Clinton said monetary donations to aid agencies were the best way to help.President Bill Clinton agreed to be United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s envoy for tsunami recovery in Asia and spur efforts to resolve conflicts in two of the countries hit by deadly waves.

Democrat Clinton’s appointment adds to his role as an emissary for Republican President George W. Bush’s effort to increase private donations to relief and reconstruction operations. Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush have been traveling throughout the U.S. to raise money and last week said they would go to the region.

The Dec. 26 disaster left more than 280,000 dead or missing in 12 countries around the Indian Ocean, devastated coastal economies and prompted the largest multinational relief operation in history Clinton, in a statement released at U.N. World Headquarters in New York, said he looks forward to serving in the post and will have more to say at the formal announcement.