smh.com.au

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Clinton tipped to lead US plan for rebuilding Haiti

MIAMI: The US is quietly advocating a plan to reconstruct earthquake-ravaged Haiti that could involve an even more central role for the former US president Bill Clinton.

The plan, designed by staff of the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and presented to Haitian officials in recent days, calls for the creation of a commission to oversee the ''urgent early recovery'' during the next 18 months.

The commission's top priority is to create create a development authority to plan and co-ordinate billions of dollars in foreign assistance for at least 10 years.

The plan, obtained by The Miami Herald, states that the commission could be co-chaired by the Haitian Prime Minister and ''a distinguished senior international figure engaged in the recovery effort''. Haiti observers believe the job description describes Mr Clinton, although he is not named in the document.

The United Nations has already named him to co-ordinate its reconstruction efforts.

''I think he's a good choice if he can commit himself to doing the job,'' said Robert Maguire, an expert on Haiti who is chairman of the US Institute of Peace's Haiti Working Group. ''He seems to be a logical choice, someone with a deep commitment, connections and the trust of most, if not all of the players.''

Mr Clinton could not be reached for comment.

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Reminder to all to wear red+blue tomorrow. I am already wearing read and blue since I saw that note and have been posting prints of that article in local libraries and local schools.  Our local schools are doing fundraising for Haiti and were glad to accept the printouts for posting.