Clinton Urges Bush to Come Up With $2.4 Billion Annually to Fight AIDS (Barf Alert)

AP | 6/13/02 | Edith M. Lederer

[kattracks]

NEW YORK (AP) - At an anti-AIDS gala that drew both celebrities and protesters, former President Clinton urged the Bush administration to come up with $2.4 billion annually to fight the disease around the world.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called AIDS "the worst epidemic that mankind has ever faced," while rock star Michael Stipe and CBS news anchor Dan Rather lamented that more than 8,000 people around the world die of AIDS each day.

The presentation of the 2002 awards for business excellence by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS Wednesday night brought more than 500 people from the art, business and diplomatic worlds to New York's Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River along with two dozen AIDS protesters - several of whom arrived by boat. Other VIPs at the dinner included Dikembe Mutombo of the Philadelphia 76ers and musicians Wyclef Jean and Lionel Ritchie.

Clinton presented the award for individual business leadership to William H. Roedy, president of MTV Networks International, which has aired spots on AIDS. Annan presented the award for business excellence in the workplace to DaimlerChrysler AG for its South African HIV/AIDS program, which includes access to AIDS drugs.

Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts Pte Ltd. in Thailand won the award for business excellence in the community for an education program targeting young women who might have gone into the sex industry. The women were given training for vocations such as nursing and hotel work.

The protesters from ACT UP New York and the Heath GAP were demonstrating against Coca-Cola, one of the 75 international companies that have joined the Business Coalition. They claim the company only provides HIV/AIDS health care coverage to the 1,500 people it employs directly in Africa - not to the 100,000 people who bottle and distribute Coke products under licensing agreements.

Robert Lindsay, vice president for public affairs for Coca-Cola Africa who was at the awards dinner, said: "What we've been asked is to provide treatment to the independent businesses we work with across the continent. ... The reality is this is not possible."

Former U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who heads the Global Business Coalition, said the message from the demonstrators was that companies weren't doing much to fight AIDS.

"I agree with that message. That's why we're here," he said, to loud applause. "The 75 companies are the companies that are doing something, but they may not be doing enough. So I welcome the demonstrators. We're on the same side."

Clinton cited estimates that the number of HIV cases is on the verge of increasing from 40 million to 100 million, which the world can't afford. The virus is spreading fastest in former Soviet countries, followed by the Caribbean and India, he said.

"It will slice through India like a hot knife through butter," Clinton said.

Annan has called for $10 billion annually to reverse the AIDS epidemic by 2015. Clinton said the U.S. share should be $2.4 billion. The United States has earmarked $500 million for the fund.

Paul Usungu, a Ugandan bush pilot and father of 10 from the African Services Committee, who is HIV positive, invited Clinton to go to Africa and witness the plight of HIV sufferers.

"We need your financial support," he told the business executives. "You will improve our lives because we don't have hope - and tomorrow I don't think I'll make it."

[Paul Atreides]

Bubba knows it's only a matter of time before he comes across the wrong skank.

[Paul Atreides]

A person will die of old age waiting for Bubba's donation for the fight.

[fhayek]

Clinton was president for eight years. If it is such a great idea, why didn't HE cough up $2.4 billion for AIDS when he was president. I believe that AIDS was a problem during the '90's too.

[WIMom]

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[what's up]

Why is Bubba now consumed with stirring up the blacks of Africa?

Because he doesn't have the bully pulpit to stir up the blacks of the US anymore.

[Morgan's Raider]

OK, let's buy 2.4 billion dollars worth of Trojans, then Bubba can go to Africa and personally put one on every heathen there. That oughta solve their AIDS problem.

[Colombia59]

Maybe there is more to become public about the Monica Lewinski story. Of course he did say, "I never had sex with that woman".

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

How about the Clinton plan for completly eliminating the spread of AIDS.

A thong, a young girl, a sink, and a plentiful supply of cigars.

This Arkansas piece of crap did more to spread sexually transmitted diseases by his actions than 10 billion dollars would cure!!!!!!!!!!

[Paul Atreides]

Notice that the press, and Dims, are coming up with all these things that are "Bush's obligation" to which to commit; arsenic, AIDS, etc. I guess it was asking too much of Bubba to break away from the fellatio long enough to take care of such problems.

[Paul Atreides]

OK, let's buy 2.4 billion dollars worth of Trojans, then Bubba can go to Africa and personally put one on every heathen there. That oughta solve their AIDS problem.

He'd charge them for the condoms. Never trust a Clinton.

[Paul Atreides]

I guess he realized that biting his lip, shedding a crocodile tear, and whining that he worked the hardest on fighting AIDS more than he has ever worked on anything in his life, isn't going over anymore.

[PhiKapMom]

Someone needs to tell Bubba to go out and raise the money himself -- we have a war on terrorism to fight thanks to him! No money in the budget to increase the funding for this disease as far as I am concerned! Let all the Hollywood liberals anti-up since this is their cause! Why didn't clinton get more money for Aids funding when he was in office? Don't remember much about it then.

[JZoback]

We can save $2.4 billion......and lots of pain and suffering simply by

Keeping your zipper firmly in the top position and keep objects other then your toothbush and food out of your mouth.

[PLK]

Yadayadayada.....on and on ad nauseum. Tired of it. AIDS is 100% preventable - the exception is fetal exposure to infected mother and transfusions. Even in those circumstances, the transmission would not occur if primary prevention had been practiced. Anyway, I'm against more AIDS funding; cancer and heart disease rates FAR outpace those of AIDS and we are far from being able to cure those illnesses.

Doesn't tug my heartstrings whatsoever - go away bubba.

[Hilltop]

LOL...pretty much sums it up.

[rintense]

Oh come on. Bubba could raise that money on his own if he just gave up the high priced hos.

[vladog]

Why waste the money? The leadership in South Africa now says that AIDS doesn`t really exist.

[Mo1]

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[Republic]

That JERK! Why didn't HE do it when he was Prez if he is so interested? Besides, if he really wants to FIGHT aids which is 100% PREVENTABLE, why doesn't he start speaking out against HOMOSEXUAL SEX practiced without condoms instead of only making speeches for MONEY! SHUT UP BILLY KLINTON! JUST SHUT YOU BIG FAT MOUTH!