February 13, 2008

Bush Reiterates Commitment to Fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa

While meeting with Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré at the White House yesterday, United States President George W. Bush pledged his continued support to the Western African country’s fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, poverty, illiteracy and other ills, Agence France-Presse/Google reports (afp.google.com, 2/13).

Bush’s meeting with Touré came just days before Bush’s trip to Africa, which will most likely be his last visit to the continent before leaving office in January of next year. He intends to use the goodwill visit, during which he will visit five countries, to rally for a doubling of the current President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from $15 billion to $30 billion.

“I would have come to the United States just to tell President Bush ‘thank you,’” Touré told AFP. “The president has undertaken historic initiatives not only for Mali but also for Africa.”

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J. Sholly, , 2008-02-17 00:29:53
I am all for preventing HIV/AIDS infections in Africa, however, our programs here in the US are being slashed and services cut. Our HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention budget has been completely dessimated by cuts. We need help here also.