The Turkish Press
LONDON, Dec 28 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Tuesday 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."
(snip)
Mata Musing
I question less the suggestion - extremely valid on the surface - and more why the bejeezus anyone would bother to solict the former Prez's opinion.
Could it be that Mr. Bill is seizing on a catastrophe and aid implementation as a moment to put forth his credentials as the next Sec'y Gen of the UN? And could he do any worse than Kofi? All thoughts of such just send shivers of disquiet down my spine...
2 comments:
Dunno if Slick Willy could do worse that Kofi Annan. Right now I'm FUMING over Annan's "stingy" remark re: the US's relief efforts in Southern Asia!
LOL... hold down that steam out your ears, TrekMed. You'll fog up the windshield of the ambulance!
Egeland is a new kid on the UN block. Prior work has been with the Int'l Red Cross. His focus is narrow, and on his causes only.
Plus he's from Norway... where they tax the bejeezus out of you. So no one there can afford to up the ante by giving private donations, as we capitalists are famous for doing.
However the UN powers quickly realized the error of his ways, and forced him to back down... which he screwed up even more when he avowed that the US taxpayers *want* higher taxes so they can make more "donations" to int'l aid.
Wow... now he's a seer!
I guess his forte is doling out cash and organizing humanitarian efforts, and not diplomacy. Thus his position, his attitude, and his misspeak.
What has come of this is again the UN showing it's true colors to Americans. And that is a good thing.
Glass half full, remember? :0)
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