French President Chirac Heckled as Critics Slam EU on AIDS

The European Union defended its funding record for the global AIDS epidemic as protesters heckled French President Jacques Chirac Wednesday at the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment in Paris.

While European Commission President Romano Prodi said he personally remained "very keen" of the goal of raising Europe's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, he admitted the EU was moving slowly on the issue.

The Global Fund faces an estimated shortfall of around $400 million this year, but donors gathered in Paris ended their meeting with no major pledges of new funds. Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair had urged other leaders to promise up to $1 billion, but diplomatic sources said Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands blocked increased EU funding. The US global AIDS initiative, signed into law by President Bush in May, includes a contribution of up to $1 billion for the Global Fund, provided the US donation does not exceed more than one-third of the total.

Chirac, whose closing session speech was interrupted for five minutes by protestors chanting "Shame," said he still hoped for Europe to come to the table. "I wish, today, to issue a solemn appeal. An appeal to governments of donor countries all over the world to show more generosity, despite budgetary difficulties," said Chirac. Last month, France committed to tripling its contribution to the fund to 150 million euros (US$167.7 million).

Global Fund Executive Director Richard Feachem said the organization had pledges totaling $4.7 billion to 2007, calling it "very good news" but still not enough to effectively tackle AIDS in the developing world. "Over the months ahead we have to make further steps forward," Feachem noted.

Ireland, Greece and China all made modest pledges of more money, while the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation brought forward a $50 million donation.

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