Guest guest Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 AIDS fight in Africa Thursday, April 17th 2008 From the Dallas Morning News on Monday: What happens in Africa doesn't stay in Africa. The killer disease wiping out parts of the sub-Saharan region risks creating instability far beyond the borders of nations such as South Africa and Zambia. Beyond the overwhelming humanitarian reasons to help, potential instability is also cause for the U.S. Senate to join the House and pass a five-year extension of an HIV/AIDS initiative that President Bush has championed. (A part of the $50 billion would go toward fighting malaria and tuberculosis in Africa and the Caribbean.) A bipartisan House coalition recently backed the legislation, which got its start five years ago at Bush's instigation and will expire this year unless Congress reauthorizes its good work. Since 2003, the effort has treated 1.3 million people for AIDS; 6.6 million people with HIV have been cared for, often by local partner organizations. Congress could almost double those numbers, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa - if the Senate does its part. But because of a crowded calendar, senators may not get around to this strategic measure before summer starts. For the good of many Africans, and our own stability, the Senate should get on board before the administration heads to this summer's G-8 summit. The president has pressed allies for more international funding to fight the epidemic. For him to show up without America's renewed commitment would undermine his chance to rally partners in Europe and elsewhere. The geopolitical challenge is real. Along with weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, HIV/AIDS is one of the world's most destabilizing forces. The more developing nations lose their future teachers, doctors and business leaders to this disease, the more they lack a stabilizing middle class. This is not to overlook the compelling humanitarian imperative. Mark Dybul, the U.S. ambassador heading this program, recently told us of being in one African village where 120 of 150 residents had HIV/AIDS. Families are watching their young ones die. And children are seeing their parents wither away. For the sake of dying Africans and global stability, the Senate needs to quickly pass this measure. http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_editorial? id=17623339 --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 AIDS fight in Africa Thursday, April 17th 2008 From the Dallas Morning News on Monday: What happens in Africa doesn't stay in Africa. The killer disease wiping out parts of the sub-Saharan region risks creating instability far beyond the borders of nations such as South Africa and Zambia. Beyond the overwhelming humanitarian reasons to help, potential instability is also cause for the U.S. Senate to join the House and pass a five-year extension of an HIV/AIDS initiative that President Bush has championed. (A part of the $50 billion would go toward fighting malaria and tuberculosis in Africa and the Caribbean.) A bipartisan House coalition recently backed the legislation, which got its start five years ago at Bush's instigation and will expire this year unless Congress reauthorizes its good work. Since 2003, the effort has treated 1.3 million people for AIDS; 6.6 million people with HIV have been cared for, often by local partner organizations. Congress could almost double those numbers, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa - if the Senate does its part. But because of a crowded calendar, senators may not get around to this strategic measure before summer starts. For the good of many Africans, and our own stability, the Senate should get on board before the administration heads to this summer's G-8 summit. The president has pressed allies for more international funding to fight the epidemic. For him to show up without America's renewed commitment would undermine his chance to rally partners in Europe and elsewhere. The geopolitical challenge is real. Along with weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, HIV/AIDS is one of the world's most destabilizing forces. The more developing nations lose their future teachers, doctors and business leaders to this disease, the more they lack a stabilizing middle class. This is not to overlook the compelling humanitarian imperative. Mark Dybul, the U.S. ambassador heading this program, recently told us of being in one African village where 120 of 150 residents had HIV/AIDS. Families are watching their young ones die. And children are seeing their parents wither away. For the sake of dying Africans and global stability, the Senate needs to quickly pass this measure. http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_editorial? id=17623339 --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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