Bill Clinton named U.N. envoy to Haiti

UNITED NATIONS, May 18 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has been named special U.N. envoy to Haiti, the former president confirmed.

Clinton told The Miami Herald in a statement, "It is an honor to accept the secretary-general's invitation to become special envoy to Haiti. 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.''

Clinton and U.S. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the hurricane ravaged country two months ago to raise attention for Haiti's rebuilding program following a year of storms. Four back-to-back storms left nearly 800 dead and caused nearly $1 billion in damages, the Herald said.

The newspaper said a U.N. official confirmed the appointment, but said an official announcement would come Tuesday.

Clinton served as U.N. special envoy for recovery following the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and helped in fundraising.

Last month, foreign donors pledged to donate $324 million for Haiti's rebuilding efforts at a donors conference in Washington, the newspaper said. At the conference, Clinton asked donors to encourage investments.