International groups ask Bush to fully fund global AIDS initiative

A full-page ad, paid for by 10 international nonprofit groups, ran in Wednesday's edition of the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call asking President Bush and Congress to fully fund the first year of the five-year, $15 billion international AIDS initiative. Congress has so far allotted $2 billion for the program in fiscal 2004. The ad was backed by the International Rescue Committee, World Concern, Childreach, International Medical Corps, World Vision, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, Oxfam America, CARE, and Hope for African Children Initiative. The text of the ad reads, "Mr. President and Members of Congress, thank you for your commitment to the world's poor by authorizing historic global AIDS legislation in May. Now, on behalf of the 14 million children orphaned by AIDS, we call upon you to fund AIDS appropriations at $3 billion for 2004, and dedicate 10% for the care of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. The need is urgent. Together, we have the capacity to make a difference." There was no comment from the White House or congressional leaders.