Bill Clinton gets U.N. Haiti post

UNITED NATIONS, June 16 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has been named special U.N. envoy to Haiti, weeks after it was announced he would be given the assignment.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon Monday introduced Clinton as the head of a $350 million project intended to help Haiti recover from devastation caused by major storms in 2008. During his tenure as president, Clinton promoted democratic government in Haiti, and since he left office his foundation has become extensively involved in the affairs of the poverty stricken island nation, the Christian Science Monitor reported Monday.

"No one is better placed for this mission," Ban said. "He knows the country, he loves the people, and they love him."

Ban said Clinton's involvement with former President George H.W. Bush in a major recovery project following the 2004 South Asian Tsunami was a major factor in assigning Clinton the Haiti mission, which pays $1 a year.

Clinton said he would focus on helping the Haitian government carry out its own plans, with help from the international community.

"I think Haiti, not withstanding the total destruction of four storms last year, has the best chance to escape its dark history in the 35 years I've been going there," Clinton said. "What I want to do is help the Haitian people take control of their own destiny."