Clinton may have to take to debris-filled Bhuj streets

Clinton may have to take to debris-filled Bhuj streets
D V MAHESHWARI

BHUJ, MARCH 30: When sleek cars zoomed into the otherwise dead-looking collectorate compound on Thursday, everything and everyone came alive. The cars' occupants, who had earlier flown in by two special planes, included security personnel from the United States and top functionaries of the influential American-India Foundation. There were here to finalise arrangements for former US President Bill Clinton's April 5 visit to Bhuj.

Talking to The Indian Express, vice-chairman of the Foundation Mike Patel said: "We went around Bhuj town and visited two worst-hit places -- Ratanal village and Anjar town -- to decide on which all places would be suitable for Clinton to visit."

Although, Clinton's itinerary is being kept under wraps for security reasons he is, on April 4, expected to land in Ahmedabad at around 11 am during his two-day State visit. During the day, he'll meet Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel and other Government officials involved in relief and rehabilitating Kutch and after a night's halt in Ahmedabad, head off to Bhuj the next day.

Clinton will land in Bhuj at around 10 am and would then visit the worst-hit areas of Ratanal village, Anjar and Bhachau. Sources said since the town is full of uncleared debris with narrow lanes, the former US President would have to walk down some distance. After his Bhuj visit, Clinton would travel by road to Ratnal and Anjar, 25 and 40 km away from here.

Mike Patel, who was appointed commissioner on President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by Clinton himself, said the foundation which boasts of top-level American Indians from all walks of life in the US, planned to undertake permanent rehabilitation projects in Kutch. "So far, we have especially collected US $ 50 million to rebuild upto 100 quake-ravaged villages here," he said. He went on to add that decision on finance would be taken by the Foundation's board meeting soon after Clinton's visit.

Patel said the rehabilitation work would be carried out with the help of local NGOs, to be chosen after a hard test. "We will select those NGOs which are transparent and who have working experience of rebuilding projects," Patel informed.

He said Clinton was fond of India and this tour materialised when the former president himself asked the Foundation if he could be of any help. For Clinton, this is his first visit after he relinquished his Presidentship.

Earlier in the day, mistaking the motorcade for that of a minister's, members of the newly-formed Bhuj Rehabilitation Committee, sitting in dharna for an indefinite period in front of the Collectorate, raised anti-State Government slogan for its indecision on rehabilitation project for Bhuj.

Well-known advocate and convenor of the Samiti Ratnakar Dholakia later clarified: "The demonstration was not against America. It was against the indecisive Keshubhai Government. We had mistaken it for a ministerial motorcade."

Meanwhile, a team of US Secret Service personnel, who provide Clinton with inner ring of security, arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday to put their security system in place. The Ahmedabad City Special Branch is gearing up to provide the outer ring security. Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch Pramod Kumar said although the final itinerary is yet to be submitted, hectic arrangements are already on.