[I saw this on TV--disgusting.]

Thompson Shouted Down at Conference

Tue Jul 9, 3:55 PM ET

By EMMA ROSS, Associated Press Writer

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson was shouted down Tuesday by protesters demanding more U.S. funding for the fight against AIDS, as delegates to an international conference discussed how to finance the global war against the deadly virus. Experts estimate rich nations will need to donate at least $10 billion a year if the AIDS epidemic is to be brought under control. That compares to overall spending this year of about $2.8 billion.

About 40 demonstrators chanting "Shame! Shame!" and waving placards reading "Wanted: Bush and Thompson for murder and neglect of people with AIDS," marched down the center aisle of the lecture hall and lined up on stage as Thompson spoke.

Security guards formed a barrier between Thompson and the protesters. Thompson went on to deliver his speech, but his words were drowned out by whistle blowing and protests shouted through a bullhorn.

"The United States is passionately committed to this international fight," he said, speaking to reporters after he had finished his speech.

"I understand that people are passionate about this and want to blame the United States," Thompson said. "But the United States under President Bush has doubled the amount of resources it provides for the fight against AIDS."

Last month, Bush announced a five-year, $500 million initiative to stem transmission of HIV from mother to child in Africa and the Caribbean. More than 2 million women carrying the AIDS virus give birth each year, and 90 percent pass it on to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth or nursing.

Critics called the proposal "grossly underfinanced."

AIDS activists want the United States to contribute more to the United Nations-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The United States has pledged $500 million to that fund.

"I understand that people want to yell and scream," Thompson said, "but they would serve their cause much better ... if they would help other countries see the light and encourage them to contribute like the United States has."

Thompson said 45 percent of money committed to HIV programs worldwide comes from the United States and the American contribution to the Global Fund represents 25 percent of the total money given so far.

However, Jeffrey Sachs, an economist from Columbia University who chaired a World Health Organization committee on how much money is needed to fight AIDS, said the United States has not contributed its fair share and should be donating $2.5 billion a year.

"Secretary Thompson was probably surprised at his reception today. He should not be surprised. It is a reflection of the utter confusion within the United States government of what they are actually doing," Sachs said.

"They believe they are doing the right thing," he said. "They pick numbers out of the air week to week. They have not budgeted systematically over the next few years and when I inquired about this at the White House ... the responses I have got show that they have not done their homework."

Still, Sachs saw some progress.

"I think in a quite important way, there is enormous progress represented at this meeting," Sachs said. "There is a global strategy based on prevention and treatment for confronting this disease. There is also, for the first time, realistic numbers on the table with regard to the financial requirements for this battle."

"What is lacking now is a plan of action, and I will predict that in 90 days we will have a plan of action," he said. "The pieces are coming together... The United States government doesn't quite know that yet, but I think that within 90 days it will know it. There can be a global plan of action with specific funding recommended."

Dr. Richard Feachem, newly appointed director of the Global Fund, said that before the end of October, the fund would announce exactly how much money it needs.

Stephen Lewis, the U.N. secretary general's special envoy on HIV and AIDS in Africa, urged creation of a formula for country contributions to the Global Fund.

Adopting the formula used for calculating United Nations' membership dues would mean the Group of Seven richest nations would contribute 70 percent of the total, he said.

Other high-income countries would contribute another 20 percent, while the final 10 percent, he said, should be paid, not by poor countries, but by private companies.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2002

Answers

How about we close our borders to these backward countries that cannot teach their own not to screw without protection, or at least a medical chart.

We have enough idiots in this country without having to send our hard earned money over there.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2002

There are many reasons to close the borders but unless we get the military involved, there aren't enough border guards. It's not enoucraging--the Israelis have a hard time with their borders and the Irish with theirs, the Pakistanis with theirs, on and on.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2002

I can't think of anything that's enoucraging. LOL

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2002

Where's my new monitor???

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2002