DATE=5/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - AIDS (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-261874
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton administration says it will seek
greater support from U-S allies in the fight against the
global spread of the deadly disease AIDS. Washington,
convinced the disease is reaching catastrophic dimensions,
Has designated AIDS a national security threat.
Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White House.
TEXT: It is the first time an infectious disease has been
designated a threat to national security. As first
reported by the Washington Post Sunday, the move was
prompted by U-S intelligence reports projecting that a
quarter of southern Africa's population is likely to die of
AIDS, and that if current trends continue, there could be
similar consequences for south Asia and the former Soviet
Union. The reports warn that dramatic declines in life
expectancy as a result of the AIDS crisis could spark
revolutionary and ethnic wars, and genocides.
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart Monday cited statistics
showing the impact on the militaries of some developing
nations in Africa.
/// 1st LOCKHART ACT ///
You have projections in some places where 50 percent of the
military will contract H-I-V / AIDS in the not-too-distant
future. Those can be very destabilizing numbers, and they
have an impact on us. We have an interest in Africa as far
as our own national security.
/// END ACT ///
The administration has begun to take action to address the
crisis. It has established a task force to plan further
strategy and doubled its funding request to fight AIDS
overseas to 254-million dollars in next year's budget -- an
amount that some U-S officials believe is still woefully
inadequate to address the magnitude of the problem.
But spokesman Lockhart says it is a good beginning.
/// 2ND LOCKHART ACT ///
You have to look at many of these countries, which simply
do not have the resources to do the kind of education,
prevention, [and] medical care that is needed. And we
believe that it is our job to both provide some of the
resources and the leadership to mobilize countries who are
in a position to help, to provide the resources these
countries need.
/// END ACT ///
The administration hopes U-S allies will pledge to do their
part during a U-S - European Union summit in Portugal later
this month, and again at a G-8 summit of major
industrialized nations and Russia in July.
/// REST OPT ///
Meanwhile, spokesman Lockhart is in a war of words with
Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott over whether AIDS does
pose a national security threat.
Senator Lott takes issue with the administration's
position. He suggested administration officials are
seeking to curry favor among gay rights and AIDS activists,
who staged a march on Washington Sunday.
/// LOTT ACT ///
I presume it was done to be timed with the demonstration
that is occurring in Washington also, but I do not view it
as a United States national security issue.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Lockhart says the administration has been working on
the matter for months. He says the comments by the Senate
Majority Leader indicate -- in his words -- a lack of
thoughtful reflection on the issue. (Signed)
NEB/DAT/WTW
01-May-2000 14:55 PM EDT (01-May-2000 1855 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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