WP: Mr. Bush's Undeserved Credit on AIDS Spending

[Guest guest]

Mr. Bush's Undeserved Credit on AIDS Spending

Sunday, February 1, 2004; Page B06

The Jan. 22 editorial " The Unmentioned AIDS Policy " correctly noted

President Bush's failure to provide an update on his much-

hyped " emergency " AIDS plan. It's puzzling, though, that it credited

the president for the latest spending increase.

In fact, spending will reach $2.4 billion in 2004 because members of

Mr. Bush's own party ignored his opposition. He fought emergency

spending in 2003, with the result that after a year, only a tiny

fraction of the 2 million people the president promised would receive

life-saving medications actually are getting them.

It's also troubling that The Post employed the wrong test in judging

Mr. Bush's effort. The question is not whether the United States is

spending more than in previous years to fight AIDS; it is whether we

are providing a fair contribution to a global effort that might

actually get ahead of the advancing threat.

The latest U.N. assessment is clear: We are not on track to provide

even what it terms a " bare-bones " response. The Post should avoid

assessments that obscure this dangerous shortfall.

DAVID BRYDEN

Communications Director

Global AIDS Alliance

Washington