*EPF208 07/09/2002
AIDS Activists Confront U.S. Health Secy. Thompson
(Demonstration mars Thompson's presentation to Barcelona delegates) (510)

By Charlene Porter
Washington File Staff Writer

Barcelona -- Several dozen protestors disrupted a speech by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson July 9 at the XIV International AIDS conference.

Blocked by the protestors and flanked by security, Thompson gamely delivered his speech, though the crowd of several hundred delegates in attendance couldn't hear his remarks because of the din raised by the chants and whistles of the protestors. The demonstrators called for greater funding for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to which the United States is already the greatest single contributor.

Speaking to reporters after he delivered the brief speech and the protestors disbanded, Thompson said he planned to work with the protest group during the course of the week. "I'm willing to work with them, and I want to work with them."

Thompson said the protestors are objecting to U.S. policy without realizing the details of the various HIV/AIDS initiatives the government has launched. He urged the protestors to take a closer look at the recently announced $500 million program to reduce mother-to-child transmission of the HIV virus in African and Caribbean nations.

"I wanted to give a message that the United States is passionate about this issue," Thompson said, emphasizing that the United States is the leading global donor to international public health programs. With various actions to double funding for these programs, "The Bush administration has gone light years in the last 18 months," Thompson said.

Rather than protesting his speech, Thompson suggested the activists would do better to take their demands for greater funding to governments, corporations and private foundations that have not yet made commitments on the scale of that made by the United States.

Thompson noted that the United States has also made a long-term commitment to support the Global Fund and its mission to provide direct financial backing for groups and governments conducting delivery of disease-related services. Still, he emphasized that it's important for the Global Fund, established only at the beginning of 2002, to develop proper accounting standards and procedures for maintaining accountability in its activities so donors can be assured their support is well-used.

Though AIDS activists are critical of U.S. policy and action, Thompson said he is assured that those most directly affected recognize the importance of the U.S. contribution. The health secretary learned that, he told reporters, in a meeting this week with African health ministers. "Every single one of them applauded us, (and) thanked us."

Thompson and his staff had recognized that his speech might be met with protests by demonstrators, who sometimes strategically seize media attention directed toward prominent officials to promote their activist message on the world stage. Appearances by other U.S. and international officials have met with similar reactions in the past. Thompson said, however, that his commitment to participate in this major meeting on disease was so great that he was prepared to face the protest.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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