Letter to the Editor: AIDS and Russian Prostitutes

"An Oct. 31 article, 'AIDS programs anger Muscovites' (Nation) [summarized in PNU on Oct. 31], reports claims that U.S. Agency for International Development-funded AIDS prevention programs in Russia promote 'legalized prostitution' and encourage Russian girls to 'choose prostitution as a career.' The assertions in the article are false, and it is unfortunate USAID was not called for comment before the story ran.

"USAID's policy guidelines do not allow us to fund, and we do not fund, groups that promote prostitution or argue for its legalization. Either the organizations cited in the article are not funded by USAID/Russia or they are not engaged in the activities cited.

"Russia has one of the fastest-growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. To control the epidemic requires working with high-risk population groups such as prostitutes, but this in no way should be construed as support for their activities.

"Indeed, USAID-funded health programs include abstinence and 'be faithful' strategies. With high-risk groups, we also stress reduction of the number of partners and correct and consistent condom use. Our goal is to save the lives of children, spouses and others threatened by AIDS. Such careful and defined humanitarian interventions must never be equated with support for the legalization or regularization of prostitution."

The author is the assistant administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, for USAID, Washington, D.C.

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