Wyclef Named Haitian 'Roving' Ambassador

Ex-Fugee Wyclef Jean was named a roving ambassador to promote the troubled country's image abroad by President Rene Preval government officials said Wednesday. Jean, who was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine but has always campaigned for his native country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Renald Clerisme said in an interview with Reuters, "We wish we could have several Wyclefs as roving ambassadors because the country could have gained so much."

Government officials have praised the Grammy award-winning Jean as a model for all Haitians, as well as his support for his native country over the years and as they put it, "our best asset to promote the country's image around the world and to help attract foreign investors."

The presidential palace announced that Preval would leave to meet with Jean in Jamaica during his three-day visit.

Recently, Haiti's government credits Jean convincing U.S. Congress to pass a trade bill that would create textile manufacturing jobs in Haiti.