Clinton, Bush visit Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 23 (UPI) -- Extending U.S. trade preferences for Haiti could create many jobs and boost the earthquake-beset country's recovery, former President Bill Clinton said.

Clinton and former President George W. Bush visited Haiti Monday for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, established to raise funds to aid in the country's long-term recovery.

To help Haiti in the near term, the U.S. Congress should extend trade preferences that would allow Haiti to increase textile exports to the United States, creating thousands of jobs, Clinton told CNN in an interview published Tuesday.

"Because if we do, and we say we're going to do it for a longer period of time, we can get massive investment here (and) create tens of thousands or perhaps even 100,000 jobs," Clinton said.

A 7-magnitude earthquake killed at least 220,000 people Jan. 12 and destroyed large parts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The government estimates about 300,000 people were injured and 1 million left homeless.

Korean and Brazilian businesses and government officials have indicated an interest in investing in Haiti if the extension is passed, Clinton said.

Clinton and Bush met with Haitian leaders, visited a camp for displaced Haitians and toured two small businesses in Port-au-Prince.

"My mission is to work with President Clinton to remind the American people there is still suffering and work to be done here," Bush said.