Flair welcomes President Clinton

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

The world knows that Bill Clinton is not short on 'Flair'. In a matter of hours, elegant, charismatic and mysteriously controversial, Clinton - once the most powerful man in the world - will grace the podium of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel to share his message of humanity with Jamaicans.

It's been eight years since Clinton's tenure as the 42nd president of the United States (US) expired.

Greying hairs have replaced many of the black ones and, well, more wrinkles have touched his face, but, still, he has not lost that magnetic touch.

Clinton is aptly described as the Muhammed Ali of the political arena - suave, crafty and nigh impossible to beat.

Political observers knew only too well that the only effective weapon George W. Bush had in his arsenal against Clinton in 2000 was 'time'.

Indeed, time was Clinton's enemy 10 years ago - it had run out on him and he had to leave 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

It is hard to believe that the man who captivated the world in the good times and the bad was a plump, nerdy boy - but he was.

Then, miraculously, Bill Clinton grew tall and genial - the girl's man who would one day be snatched up by a brainy girl named Hillary.

Magnetism

It is that man who worked his magic into the White House and it is his words that Jamaicans will be hanging on to later this evening.

Many may not recall that the first American president whose right hand was shaken by the rabid anti-American campaigner Fidel Castro was that of Bill Clinton.

His magnetism simply knew no bound.

Clinton departed the White House and politics in 2001 with a renewed sense of purpose, but the people of the world were still drawn to him - not Jamaicans alone.

When the relationship between North Korea and the United States soured as if it could get any more acrimonious than usual, guess whose name bubbled on the lips of the Koreans - Bill Clinton.

His tough-talking wife, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, had likened the leaders of North Korea to attention-seeking unruly teenagers.

North Korea responded in kind, describing her as "vulgar" and "by no means intelligent".

Clearly, there was no love lost between the two countries - a nuclear weapons row and some other things had seen to that.

But behind the scenes the two countries, which have no diplomatic relations, were engaged in a more civilised conversation over the fate of two American journalists held in North Korea.

The fascinating name of Hillary's hubby first came to the lips of former South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung.

He suggested that Bill would be the perfect envoy to fly to Pyongyang to negotiate the release of the journalists.

That is the level of respect even US' enemies have for Bill Clinton.

When nature was unkind to Haiti, Bill Clinton's charitable spirit soared to the hapless earthquake victims in the devastated country.

He was able to garner millions of dollars for Haiti.

Now, Clinton's attention is turned to Jamaica - a country devastated not by a natural disaster but by a peculiar brand of malaise that has gripped the country for some time.

Clinton will deliver an address on the topic which defines his current and growing international activism: 'Embracing Our Common Humanity'.

His public speeches describe the challenge of globalisation and interdependence, and point the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values.

Bill Clinton may seem coolly detached from the fray but, truth to be told, he is not.

The former US president has actually created a platform fro himself.

He heads the William J. Clinton Foundation which spearheads a plethora of initiatives.

Initiatives

The Clinton Global Initiative is a project of the Clinton Foundation that brings together a community of global leaders, university students and private citizens to identify and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges, including poverty alleviation, climate change, global health and education.

The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) is making a difference in the fight against climate change in practical, measurable and significant ways by working with 40 of the world's largest cities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. CCI is assisting partner cities to make energy-saving improvements to buildings, transit systems, lighting and waste management.

The Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative is helping to turn the tide on the HIV/AIDS pandemic by working with governments and other partners to increase the availability of high-quality AIDS care and treatment for people in need, lower the cost of essential tests and treatments, and strengthen health systems in the developing world.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, is dedicated to ending the increase in childhood obesity and helping all kids and their families lead healthy, active lives.

The Clinton Economic Opportunity (CEO) Initiative is helping families and individuals keep more of the money they make by supporting state and city efforts to promote access to basic financial services. CEO also matches inner-city entrepreneurs with successful business leaders to help them grow their businesses and flourish in an urban economy.

The Clinton Hunter Development Initiative is working in Rwanda and Malawi to launch projects that generate income, increase agricultural productivity, and enable sustainable growth to alleviate poverty.

An innovative partnership between the Clinton Foundation, the private sector, governments, other NGOs and local communities, the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative is working with the natural resource industry to improve health and education programmes and alleviate poverty, starting in Latin America.