Los Angeles Times - July 8, 2003

In meetings Wednesday with South African President Thabo Mbeki and Friday with Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, Bush plans to discuss his administration's pledge of $15 billion for a global campaign against HIV and AIDS over the next five years. Most of the money would go to Africa, where HIV prevalence rates in most nations are steady or rising. In Uganda, at least, rates are falling, largely because Museveni has led an outspoken public education campaign against AIDS.

Bush should publicly praise the Ugandan president's leadership in battling one of the most devastating of the continent's many scourges and privately prod South Africa's chief for his reluctance to do more. Mbeki surely must see that Museveni's head-on approach makes more sense than an Africa shrugging in acceptance of millions of AIDS deaths, millions of AIDS orphans and billions of dollars in HIV-care costs and lost economic promise.

As for Bush, he can't deliver the full amount proposed for the anti-AIDS campaign because Congress has yet to appropriate the money. So far, the legislators have allocated only $450 million for fiscal year 2004.

Critics of the administration - and wary Africans - would be wrong to cynically dismiss the president's proposal as a ploy to win Africa's support for the war against terror. With Al Qaeda entrenched in the Horn of Africa and Islamic extremism on the rise among African Muslims, clearly national security is involved, but increasing aid to Africa is also a moral imperative.

This kind of help - dealing concretely with AIDS prevention and care for the HIV-infected - lets the United States show the international community its compassionate side. America is more than just a global cop all too ready to intervene militarily, as seems the case in Liberia.

This is not to dismiss legitimate questions some legislators have raised about details of administration plans. Bush, for instance, proposes to distribute some of the anti-AIDS money via a "Millennium Challenge Account." It would limit the U.S. to helping nations that meet the administration's economic, social and political standards. Some legislators understandably want Bush officials to explain why this approach won't give short-shrift to those with HIV who, through no fault of their own, live in nations that don't meet administration ideals.

Legislators can fine-tune the initiative. But the anti-AIDS campaign addresses a dire need and has strategic and humanitarian importance. It deserves better funding.

030708
LT030704

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .