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International News French President Chirac Heckled as Critics Slam EU on AIDSJuly 17, 2003 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. 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. Reuters 07.16.03; Ben Hirschler; Emelia Sithole This article was provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update. |
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