The African AIDS pandemic "could be a source for intra- and inter-state conflict," said Major General Bakwena Oitsile. The Botswanan army general spoke before Africa's first military conference on the epidemic, attended by representatives of military forces in sub-Saharan countries. "If the security forces become weaker due to ill health, the countries' constitutions could easily be challenged. The political structures that ensure democratic governance could be threatened," he warned.

The four-day conference, which began Monday, focuses on how to improve research into HIV/AIDS. The epidemic causes up to 60 percent of the deaths among military personnel in the 14-nation Southern African Development Community.

Joseph Huggins, U.S. ambassador to Botswana, pledged U.S. support for African defense forces in the fight against AIDS. "HIV/AIDS is a global tragedy," he said, "but for Africa, the degree of pain and human suffering from the disease can be multiplied many times over. Moreover, the problem becomes more ominous in the realization that many militaries in Africa experience readiness problems due to high rates of HIV/AIDS among their personnel. The leaders of these countries recognize the importance of a viable military force in maintaining peace and stability among their citizenry and with neighboring nations," he added.

While HIV prevalence is 9 percent among adults on the African continent, the rate is 20 percent in southern Africa. An estimated 3 million deaths from AIDS occurred in 2002 in sub-Saharan Africa, where roughly 30 million people are infected.

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