Former US president Clinton urges coordinated aid effort for south Asia

AFP News / Yahoo News ^ | Tue Dec 28, 2004 | LONDON (AFP)

[Mo1]

LONDON (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton (news - web sites) urged a coordinated effort to provide relief to the countries stricken by the tidal wave that killed tens of thousands across South Asia.

"It is really important that somebody take the lead in this," he told BBC Radio 4's Today program.

"I think one of the problems is when everybody takes responsibility it's almost like no one's responsibility."

Clinton said individual countries should target aid at specific areas.

"Maybe what we should do is get countries or groups of countries to take responsibility for specific countries that were hurt," he said.

"I think if you did that you would have a better chance of seeing responsibilities fulfilled even when the emotional tug wanes."

The United Nations (news - web sites) on Monday said that the biggest disaster relief operation ever staged would be needed for the Asian tsunami (sea surge) victims as medicines and other emergency supplies started pouring into the worst-hit areas.

UN disaster relief coordinator Jan Egeland said the cost of the devastation will be in the "billions of dollars".

[Mo1]

Not sure ... but he he is on vacation in Florida

[Clara Lou]

Former US president Clinton urges coordinated aid effort for south Asia
Wow. Thank God for Bill and his sage advice. /sarcasm

[b4its2late]

I guess we'll be saying "Go Away" to this guy until he can't hear us anymore.....

[Mo1]

Isn't Clinton just soooooooooooooooooo smart

[Swanks]

"coordinated effort to provide relief to the countries ..."

Yes, the UN would be a good place to start. They take only about 30% of relief aid, such as oil-for-food, therby allowing over 60% to get to the needy, after their "coordination" efforts take place.

[jrfaug06]

Well maybe his buddy Marc Rich could pull some strings**

[dighton]

“The bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral.”

[Mr. Jeeves]

I think he wants the job of UN Aid Coordinator. I hear they get really good cigars. ;)

[JudyinCanada]

In other words, he wants to do it. Great chance to get your foot in the UN door and the cameras back on your pathetic, lying face. And greater access to more women.

[rightinthemiddle]

Hey, Kofi....Willie wants your job.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Yeah! Without him coming out now and reminding everyone, all those people in Asia would be receiving no assistance whatsoever.

[Prost1]

Some really deep Policy Thoughts here!

Bill Clinton, failed Rhodes scholar, communist iconoclast and pretender to the U.N. Supreme Soviet!

[JudyinCanada]

Oh, and I forgot, it gets him away from you-know-who (it starts with an H).

[elbucko]

"I think one of the problems is when everybody takes responsibility it's almost like no one's responsibility."

Bingo Willie! That's why Freepers are conservative and resist collectivization.

[Lee'sGhost]

This just in: Clinton has volunteered to coordinated the relief effort on behalf of the UN. He is already interviewing intern/volunteers to act as assistants. Previous experience with cigars is helpful.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Humidor?

[elbucko]

"I think one of the problems is when everybody takes responsibility it's almost like no one's responsibility."

Isn't that why we are unilaterally in Iraq?

[stm]

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Bill. Always one to jump in front of a parade, aren't you?"

Too bad he didn't jump in front of a bus doing about 80

[G.Mason]

"Will we get a story on what Gerald Ford or GHW Bush think?"

Of course not, but then classy people keep out of the way and work behind the scenes. ;)

[Two-Bits]

If it wasn't for old Bill, we just would not know what to do....Thanks Bill. How did this country ever exist prior to Bill Clinton's tenure and how will we ever get rid of the stench know as Bill Clinton's tenure.....