Spreading the good news
In contrast to all the
dismal news emanating
from Canada and Ireland,
generally of the political
kind, it is refreshing
to acknowledge the good
that both countries
are doing to assist
in combating the spread
of HIV AIDS in Africa.
The story is simple.
Former U.S. President
Bill Clinton was pressed
at the international
anti-AIDS conference
held in Barcelona in
2002 to help establish
a public health care
system in the Caribbean,
more specifically in
St. Kitts and Nevis.
He agreed.
At the time he had no
idea how to go about
the task. His solution
was the establishment
of the Clinton Foundation,
and soon afterwards
he was approached by
representatives of the
African states of Mozambique,
Rwanda, South Africa,
and Tanzania to include
them in his efforts.
Now the Foundation has
succeeded in having
four drug companies,
three in India and one
in South Africa, agree
to reduce the price
of anti-AIDS drugs by
a third.
But, says Clinton, his
initiative only got
going thanks to the
generosity of Canada
and Ireland.
In an interview with
Time magazine, he paid
thanks to the governments
of both countries for
offering to fund two
of the projects in Africa.
Clinton's close association
with Ireland, leading
to the historic Good
Friday Agreement and
the establishment of
the democratic process
in the Six Counties,
and former U.S. President
Jimmy Carter's tireless
work on behalf of disadvantaged
peoples in America and
elsewhere, show the
kinder side of an America
that is often criticized
for putting self interest
to the fore in its global
relationships.
Good news deserves to
be proclaimed wherever
and whenever it happens.
--30--
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