UNICEF Trying to Wash Hands of Belafonte

As I reported earlier, the communications staff at UNICEF has been frantically trying to decide how to deal with the ill-considered and appallingly stupid statements made by Harry Belafonte, who is an official UNICEF goodwill ambassador. While gazing lovingly into the eyes of Venezeulan ruler Hugo Chavez, Belafonte declared that President Bush is "the greatest terrorist in the world".

From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. children's agency said singer Harry Belafonte was speaking as a private citizen, not a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, when he called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world."

UNICEF has been largely successful in maintaining a good public image, despite major, systemic scandals that have been exposed at the United Nations recently. Belafonte's gaffe now forces UNICEF staffers to weigh his value as a PR figurehead against his pinheaded behavior in Venezeula.

If this story dies out quickly, it's likely that Belafonte will not be stripped of his official title as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

Regardless of what UNICEF ultimately decides, Belafonte will retain his status as a senile village idiot.