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Skriven 2006-06-02 23:33:52 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0606022) for Fri, 2006 Jun 2
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Mrs. Bush's Remarks at United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting
on HIV/AIDS
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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
June 2, 2006

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting
on HIV/AIDS
The United Nations
New York, New York



9:01 A.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: Thank you, President Eliasson and distinguished guests, for the
privilege of speaking with you today. This is a hopeful moment in our fight
against AIDS, but our meeting is also tinged with sadness. Last month, we
lost a dedicated public servant: Dr. J. W. Lee, Director General of the
World Health Organization.

Dr. Lee recognized HIV/AIDS as one of the great humanitarian crises of our
time. Around the world, almost 40 million people are infected. AIDS
respects no national boundaries; spares no race or religion; devastates men
and women, rich and poor.

No country can ignore this crisis. Fighting AIDS is an urgent calling --
because every life, in every land, has value and dignity.

At the Special Session on HIV/AIDS in 2001, U.N. member nations committed
themselves to action. In the United States, our commitment took the form of
the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a five-year, $15 billion
initiative to combat AIDS in 120 countries around the world. With
increasing contributions each year, the American people are on track to
meet or exceed this commitment.

The Emergency Plan works in partnership with the hardest-hit countries, and
that partnership is saving lives. When President Bush announced PEPFAR at
the beginning of 2003, only 50,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa were
thought to be receiving anti-retroviral treatment. Now, in PEPFAR's 15
focus nations, the United States has helped provide treatment for more than
560,000 people. Even more are being reached through America's contributions
to the Global Fund.

This direct medical care keeps people in good health. And education is
spreading hope. Millions are now learning to live with HIV/AIDS -- instead
of waiting to die from it.

In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, new data shows that Africa's ABC model of
AIDS prevention has led to dramatic declines in HIV infection rates in
young men and women. Pregnant mothers with HIV now know that their unborn
children don't have to inherit the disease.

These are important victories. But in order to defeat AIDS, much work
remains.

All people need to know how AIDS is transmitted, and every country has an
obligation to educate its citizens. This is why every country must also
improve literacy, especially for women and girls, so that they can make
wise choices that will keep them healthy and safe.

There are too few doctors and nurses to meet the demands of the AIDS
crisis, so the United States is dedicating PEPFAR resources to train
community health workers in African cities and villages. Many more are
needed, and I encourage all member states to contribute to this effort.
Every worker trained helps build a sustainable health care infrastructure
-- one that can also help curb malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases.

But life-saving treatment never reaches people who do not know they're
infected. So we must make sure more people know their HIV status. Here in
the United States, June 27th is recognized as National HIV Testing Day. The
United States will soon propose the designation of an International HIV
Testing Day. I urge all member states to join us in support of this
initiative. (Applause.)

I've met people around the world living with HIV/AIDS -- people like
Babalwa Mbono. In 2002, Babalwa was pregnant with her second child when she
discovered she was HIV-positive. Worried about her unborn baby, Babalwa
sought counseling at one of Africa's Mothers-to-Mothers-to-Be Centers,
where infected women receive treatment to keep their unborn children from
contracting HIV. Babalwa's baby was born HIV-free -- and now Babalwa is a
site coordinator for the Mothers Program, sharing her experience with other
women.

Millions of people like Babalwa can now have a second chance at life. Their
needs are great, but so is the inspiration they provide. And it's a
privilege to stand with them.

Thank you for your commitment to defeating this pandemic. The United States
looks forward to working with you, and to finally winning the fight against
AIDS.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

END 9:06 A.M. EDT

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