More action urged on global AIDS crisis

During US President George W Bush's three-day visit to the UK, an estimated 15,000 Africans could die of AIDS-related illnesses, the international aid group, ActionAid has said. In a recent statement the organisation said the 20 November roundtable HIV/AIDS discussion between Bush and British Premier Tony Blair could be viewed as a publicity stunt unless urgent action followed. ActionAid said Bush had committed US $20 billion to reconstruction in Iraq, but was dragging his feet over the $15 billion he promised earlier this year to tackle HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa and the Caribbean. Simon Wright, ActionAid's HIV/AIDS campaigner said: "Right from his State of the Nation address in February, Bush has used the HIV/AIDS crisis to give a contrast to his military action, and to paint himself as a humanitarian. Yet his $15 billion promise is not materialising, and he is allowing the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria to wither and die." ActionAid urged Bush and Blair not to use the pandemic as a smokescreen but to commit to real action on global poverty and HIV/AIDS.