Friday, May 30, 2003 (Washington, DC) – Ahead of his trip to France for next week's meeting of the leaders of the world's wealthiest countries, known as the "G-8", dozens of Africa advocacy organizations signed a letter to President Bush calling on him to re-affirm his commitment to defeating AIDS in Africa, and urging him to reschedule his postponed trip to Africa as a matter of priority.

The letter applauds the President's promise to show leadership in the fight against AIDS in Africa, but emphasizes that funds must be made available immediately, this year, in order to save lives now and respond to what the President himself has rightfully called an "emergency." The letter urges the President to secure the resources to fight the AIDS pandemic NOW, by requesting an emergency supplemental for 2003, and by ensuring that no less than $3 billion is made available to fight AIDS in 2004.

In addition to increased funding, the war on AIDS demands the cancellation of Africa's illegitimate external debts, which are draining $15 billion from the continent's poorest countries each year. The letter also emphasizes the need for a U.S. commitment to ensure that African governments have access to affordable AIDS treatments, including generic drugs, at the lowest possible cost.

Finally, the letter urges President Bush to delay no further his postponed trip to Africa. It concludes: "Your visit to Africa will allow you to witness first-hand the challenges Africa's people face, and the great potential that exists across the continent to build a brighter future. It will reinforce the U.S.' commitment to playing a key role in this undertaking to confront AIDS."

The letter was signed by a broad range of organizations from the Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA), a network of human rights, religious, development and activist organizations from across the U.S., as well as by other concerned organizations. Together, these groups represent thousands of U.S. citizens who care about Africa and U.S. policy towards Africa. The text of the letter to President Bush and the full list of organizational signatories are included below.

May 30, 2003

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House,
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush,

As member organizations of the Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA), a network of human rights, religious, development and activist organizations from across the U.S., and other concerned organizations, we represent thousands of U.S. citizens who care about Africa and U.S. Africa policy. Our common work is rooted in a commitment to political, social and economic justice for Africans, and to a more just and mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. and African countries.

As you are well aware, Africa's people face immense challenges, and addressing these challenges requires the support of the U.S. and the international community. The African continent is at the epicenter of the greatest health crisis in human history – the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Defeating this crisis requires beating the disease itself as well as the poverty and structural inequalities that fuel its spread. As you have emphasized, confronting the threat of AIDS is important and urgent work. This work must begin in Africa in partnership with Africans.

We welcome and support your pledge to make the fight against AIDS a top U.S. priority. The promise you made in this year's State of the Union address is one we applaud. A U.S. commitment of $3 billion per year over the next five years marks real progress in the war on AIDS in Africa. However, this can only be the beginning. More money is needed, and new money should be "front-loaded" if it is to be cost-effective and start saving lives now. Additional funds must also be made available immediately for 2003 to address what you have rightfully described as an emergency.

In order for your vital initiative to be effective, Africa's external debt (illegitimate in the eyes of many) must be canceled in its totality. Increasing support for African efforts to fight AIDS will achieve little when this increase is more than offset by the outward flow of money to rich country creditors in debt repayments. We ask you to call for debt cancellation as an essential part of the war on AIDS.

As noted in your State of the Union address, falling prices for AIDS drugs mean that no doctor should have to turn away a patient who needs such treatment. U.S. support for treatment must be matched with a commitment to ensuring that African governments have access to affordable medicines, including generic drugs, at the lowest possible cost.

As you emphasized in the Rose Garden in late April, Mr. President, time is not on our side. Every day we hesitate, another 7,000 African lives are lost to AIDS. Money is needed now to stop this devastation. We ask you to re-affirm your commitment to defeating AIDS in Africa by requesting an emergency supplemental of at least $500 million for 2003, earmarked for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. This will release desperately-needed new money to fight the war on AIDS this year. As part of an ongoing US commitment, we ask you to ensure that no less than $3 billion is made available to fight global AIDS in 2004. This must not come at the expense of funding for AIDS domestically or other humanitarian and development assistance for Africa or elsewhere.

With Africa facing the tragedy of this pandemic, we were deeply disappointed to learn at the end of last year that you were postponing your first official visit to Africa, scheduled for January 2003. We had been anticipating this trip as an important symbolic gesture as well as a real indication that Africa was a priority of your Administration. The cancellation of your trip was unfortunately perceived by many of our constituents as bringing into question your Administration's view of Africa's importance.

Mr. President, we write to you today to urge you to delay no further your postponed trip to Africa. We feel strongly that rescheduling this visit at the earliest possible opportunity should be a top priority. Comprising 54 countries, and home to more than 800 million people, Africa is a continent with which the U.S. has long-standing political and economic ties as well as strong historical and cultural links. We encourage every U.S. President to visit Africa regularly to promote sustainable development.

Your visit to Africa will allow you to witness first-hand the challenges Africa's people face, and the great potential that exists across the continent to build a brighter future. It will reinforce the U.S. commitment to playing a key role in this undertaking to confront AIDS.

We respectfully ask you to stand by your commitment to the people of Africa by prioritizing these foreign policy objectives:

• uphold your promise to show leadership in the war on AIDS by securing resources to fight AIDS in Africa;
• support further external debt cancellation;
• support access to medicines, including generics, at affordable prices; and
• swiftly reschedule your trip and travel to Africa this year.

We look forward to your positive response to these foreign policy priorities.

Sincerely yours,

ACT UP/Cleveland
ACT UP East Bay, Oakland, CA
Africa Action
Africa Faith and Justice Network
Africa Legal and Civil Rights Center
African Immigrants and Refugees Foundation
American Jewish World Service
Americans for Democratic Action
Association des Jeunes Intelletuels de Kiliba (ADIK)
Bread for the World
Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Church of the Brethren Washington Office
Church Women United
Church World Service
Coalition for African Immigrants and Refugees
Credo International
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends of Liberia
Foundations for da Nu Afrikan Millennium (FONAMI)
Global AIDS Alliance
Global Exchange
Global Ministries, a joint ministry of the UCC and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
International Rivers Network
The Jewish Coalition Responding to AIDS in Africa
Jubilee USA Network
Kenya AIDS Intervention/Prevention Project Group International
Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mennonite Central Committee, US, Washington Office
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Oxfam America
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
TransAfrica Forum
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Vukani Mawethu Choir
United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Washington Office on Africa
Washington State Africa Network