In a message dated 5/25/00 9:03:50 AM Central Daylight Time, AOL News writes: << Subj: S.Africa Head Defends AIDS Policies Date: 5/25/00 9:03:50 AM Central Daylight Time From: AOL News BCC: Ahab42 S.Africa Head Defends AIDS Policies .c The Associated Press By ANNE M. PETERSON SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Defending his controversial views on AIDS, South African President Thabo Mbeki said his country must consider basic problems of poverty and nutrition in confronting the epidemic. Mbeki has been criticized for entertaining the theories of University of California virologist Peter Duesberg, who claims that HIV is not the cause of AIDS. Mbeki has also considered the notion that AZT, a drug used to slow the progress of AIDS, does more harm than good. Critics say by disputing widely accepted concepts, Mbeki is diverting time, energy and resources while the epidemic rages. Four million South Africans, or about one in every 10 citizens, is infected with HIV. After a speech on the South African economy that Mbeki gave to the Commonwealth Club and the World Affairs Council, two nonprofit public-affairs groups, he said in response to a question that his government is studying the best ways to confront AIDS. ``We want to make sure our response is effective, specific, focused and produces results,'' he said Wednesday. There were no protesters inside or outside the Fairmont Hotel, where Mbeki delivered his speech. He later spoke to a small group of newspaper editors and columnists during his visit to a city known for its vocal AIDS activism. The South African government has not made strong new AIDS drugs available through the public health system and has refused to endorse the use of AZT in pregnant AIDS patients, despite proof it cuts the chance that newborns will be infected. Five major drug companies have offered to cut the price of HIV and other AIDS treatments. But even at reduced prices, the cost of such drugs would ``consume the totality of the government's health budget,'' Mbeki told the journalists. Additionally, he said, drug treatment is a comprehensive program the government is not set up to provide. ``You can't just give AZT to people and say `Thank you. Good-bye. Now go do your own thing,''' he said. Mbeki suggested that to effectively treat AIDS, several issues facing his nation - such as poverty and nutrition - also must be considered. ``The debate seems to be fueled by the discussion of buying more drugs and more drugs - not what to do to address these basic problems,'' he said. Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, the country's former health minister, said drug treatment would mean that women couldn't nurse, thus exposing some babies to potentially contaminated water used with formula. AP-NY-05-25-00 1003EDT Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. Announcement: America Online has added Reuters newswires to News Profiles. To add Reuters articles to your daily news delivery, go to KW: <A HREF="aol://5862:146">News Profiles</A> and click on "Modify Your News Profiles." Then click "Edit" and add Reuters from the list on the left. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles">NewsPro files</A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>. >>
S.Africa Head Defends AIDS Policies .c The Associated Press By ANNE M. PETERSON SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Defending his controversial views on AIDS, South African President Thabo Mbeki said his country must consider basic problems of poverty and nutrition in confronting the epidemic. Mbeki has been criticized for entertaining the theories of University of California virologist Peter Duesberg, who claims that HIV is not the cause of AIDS. Mbeki has also considered the notion that AZT, a drug used to slow the progress of AIDS, does more harm than good. Critics say by disputing widely accepted concepts, Mbeki is diverting time, energy and resources while the epidemic rages. Four million South Africans, or about one in every 10 citizens, is infected with HIV. After a speech on the South African economy that Mbeki gave to the Commonwealth Club and the World Affairs Council, two nonprofit public-affairs groups, he said in response to a question that his government is studying the best ways to confront AIDS. ``We want to make sure our response is effective, specific, focused and produces results,'' he said Wednesday. There were no protesters inside or outside the Fairmont Hotel, where Mbeki delivered his speech. He later spoke to a small group of newspaper editors and columnists during his visit to a city known for its vocal AIDS activism. The South African government has not made strong new AIDS drugs available through the public health system and has refused to endorse the use of AZT in pregnant AIDS patients, despite proof it cuts the chance that newborns will be infected. Five major drug companies have offered to cut the price of HIV and other AIDS treatments. But even at reduced prices, the cost of such drugs would ``consume the totality of the government's health budget,'' Mbeki told the journalists. Additionally, he said, drug treatment is a comprehensive program the government is not set up to provide. ``You can't just give AZT to people and say `Thank you. Good-bye. Now go do your own thing,''' he said. Mbeki suggested that to effectively treat AIDS, several issues facing his nation - such as poverty and nutrition - also must be considered. ``The debate seems to be fueled by the discussion of buying more drugs and more drugs - not what to do to address these basic problems,'' he said. Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, the country's former health minister, said drug treatment would mean that women couldn't nurse, thus exposing some babies to potentially contaminated water used with formula. AP-NY-05-25-00 1003EDT Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. Announcement: America Online has added Reuters newswires to News Profiles. To add Reuters articles to your daily news delivery, go to KW: <A HREF="aol://5862:146">News Profiles</A> and click on "Modify Your News Profiles." Then click "Edit" and add Reuters from the list on the left. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles">NewsProfiles</A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>.
