AIDS in South Africa (1 Letter)

[Guest guest]

AIDS in South Africa (1 Letter)

Published: August 22, 2007

To the Editor:

Editorial: Firing an AIDS Fighter (August 14, 2007) Re " Firing an

AIDS Fighter " (editorial, Aug. 14):

The fight against AIDS in South Africa has countless champions,

starting with President Thabo Mbeki. Under his leadership, South

Africa is implementing what has been acknowledged by the United

Nations and others to be among the largest and most comprehensive

AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs in the world.

So, contrary to your editorial, it makes no sense to say that " Mr.

Mbeki has catastrophically failed to face up to his country's

greatest challenge. "

Former Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge was simply

enunciating the policy and commitment of President Mbeki's government

when she promoted what you aptly describe as " an ambitious but

attainable goal of cutting the number of new H.I.V. infections in

half and treating 80 percent of people in need by 2011. "

Those goals, and our government's determination to see that they are

met or exceeded, are unaffected by the deputy minister's dismissal.

W. A. W. Nhlapo

Ambassador of South Africa

Washington, Aug. 14, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/opinion/lweb22joburg.html?

ex=1188446400 & en=7889e4e9ad4d5331 & ei=5040 & partner=MOREOVERFEATURES

[Guest guest]

AIDS in South Africa (1 Letter)

Published: August 22, 2007

To the Editor:

Editorial: Firing an AIDS Fighter (August 14, 2007) Re " Firing an

AIDS Fighter " (editorial, Aug. 14):

The fight against AIDS in South Africa has countless champions,

starting with President Thabo Mbeki. Under his leadership, South

Africa is implementing what has been acknowledged by the United

Nations and others to be among the largest and most comprehensive

AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs in the world.

So, contrary to your editorial, it makes no sense to say that " Mr.

Mbeki has catastrophically failed to face up to his country's

greatest challenge. "

Former Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge was simply

enunciating the policy and commitment of President Mbeki's government

when she promoted what you aptly describe as " an ambitious but

attainable goal of cutting the number of new H.I.V. infections in

half and treating 80 percent of people in need by 2011. "

Those goals, and our government's determination to see that they are

met or exceeded, are unaffected by the deputy minister's dismissal.

W. A. W. Nhlapo

Ambassador of South Africa

Washington, Aug. 14, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/opinion/lweb22joburg.html?

ex=1188446400 & en=7889e4e9ad4d5331 & ei=5040 & partner=MOREOVERFEATURES