Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - Tuesday June 22, 1999
After a meeting with AIDS policy director Sandra Thurman, participants praised the Clinton administration for hearing their concerns and pledging to help fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Both sides agreed to meet again next week.
"We're glad to learn that the administration is concerned with the issue and is attempting to figure out a way in which the U.S. government can take a more appropriate role," AIDS activist Eric Sawyer said.
However, Sawyer said AIDS groups would continue protests aimed at Vice President Al Gore's stance on a drug trade dispute. AIDS activists say Gore has worked to dissuade South Africa from using its new law designed to bring cheaper medicines to AIDS patients. The law allows the licensing of patented AIDS drugs to local manufacturers that could sell the medicines cheaper.
U.S. trade officials, also concerned that the law violates international patent rules, have put South Africa on a "watch list" of countries but did not impose the stiff trade sanctions the drug industry advocated.
The South African law is opposed by the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, which says it could undermine patent protection and erode profits needed to fund research. U.S. trade officials say the law violates international patent rules, and they have raised the possibility of sanctions.
Gore's office says the vice president's role has been misunderstood. Gore discussed the law with South Africa's new President Thabo Mbeki when Mbeki was deputy president.
Gore and Mbeki agreed to negotiate a settlement that would satisfy U.S. concerns while helping AIDS victims, a Gore spokesman said, adding that Gore did not endorse the toughest trade sanctions sought by the drug industry.
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