Former presidents join Obama for humanitarian mission

WASHINGTON - For the moment, the usual political animosities have crumbled along with the buildings turned to rubble almost 700 miles southeast of Miami.

President Barack Obama picked former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead a humanitarian mission for Haiti's earthquake victims that will reach beyond government efforts and tap the generosity of the public.

"Americans have always come together" at times of international crises, Obama said, Bush and Clinton at his side in a display of bipartisan resolve in the White House Rose Garden yesterday. "Responding to disaster must be the work of all of us." The U.S. government has so far pledged a $100-million relief effort.

The two former presidents are heading the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to help raise money for Haitians suffering from last Tuesday's devastating quake. A Web site has been set up to collect donations.

"I am so pleased to answer the call to work along the side of President Clinton, to mobilize the compassion of the American people," said Bush. "Our hearts are broken" over the scenes of destruction, he said.

"Just send your cash," Bush said, discouraging Americans from contributing blankets, water or similar items.

For Clinton, the 7.0-magnitude quake that struck the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere is personal. The 63-year-old former president is the UN special envoy to Haiti and he and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, have visited many times since they honeymooned there 34 years ago. "I have no words to say what I feel," Clinton said yesterday, his voice choking with emotion. "I was in those hotels that collapsed. I had meals with people who are dead."

The two former presidents will seek to tap the wallets of Americans, and the treasuries of businesses, corporations, foundations and nongovernment groups in coming weeks and months to mount a giant rebuilding campaign.

Obama said it was modeled after the effort that Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton made in leading similar nonprofit organizations after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Asian tsunami in 2004.

It was Obama's fourth statement on Haiti in as many days as his administration struggles to get relief supplies and equipment to the island nation. Reports from Haiti show the patience of tens of thousands of people is growing thin from lack of food, water and medicine.

"There are going to be some tough days over the next several days," Obama said as estimates put the death toll at more than 100,000 and bodies continue to clutter the streets.

"At the request of President Obama, we are partnering to help the Haitian people reclaim their country and build back not only their infrastructure but also their unwavering spirit," a message from Bush and Clinton on the Web site says. "Right now, we must act immediately to save as many lives as possible."

The site suggests donations ranging from $25 to $1,000 or more. The two ex-presidents said 100 percent of all donations will go toward relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.

Clinton said there already has been an "extraordinary response" from Americans, with a dual emphasis on short- and long-term recovery.

"While the earthquake destroyed a lot," it didn't destroy Haitians' spirit, he said. "The people of Haiti will recover and will rebuild."