Kerry win could benefit AIDS struggle - UN

A senior UN official has described the US election as a matter of "mortal concern" for the people of Africa. Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, told Canadian reporters earlier this week that a win for Senator John Kerry could "profoundly affect the world's response to AIDS" and change how the White House dealt with the disease at home and abroad. US President George Bush launched a five-year, $15 billion funding programme to assist 15 African countries in tackling the pandemic, but Kerry said he planned to double the amount. Lewis also noted that a Kerry administration might follow a "more realistic" approach to sex education by promoting condoms.