For Immediate Release: 20 Dec 2002

Contact: Paul Davis +1 215.833.4102 * pdavis@critpath.org

HGAP Statement on White House Postponement of Trip to Africa

AP: Bush postpones trip to Africa - 6:05 PM EST

WASHINGTON - The White House on Friday called off President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s planned trip to Africa next month, citing the standoff with Iraq and a desire to start work on domestic priorities.

The trip will be rescheduled for later in the year, said White House press secretary Ari Fleischer (news - web sites).

Health GAP reaction:

"Regardless of his travel plans, President Bush still has a responsibility to live up to his words and help Africa stop the spread of AIDS, treat the sick and care for the orphans. This week could yet be a big win for Africa and for America's commitment to fighting global AIDS. While the President won't see the devastation of AIDS in Africa for himself, he will be staying home negotiate two years' budgets with Senator Frist -- a strong advocate for AIDS treatment and for Africa. Senator Frist's bipartisan proposal to spend $5 billion new dollars over the next two years to fight AIDS should be part of the budgets for 2003 and 2004. President Bush should listen to Senator Frist on AIDS, and he should use the two budgets and the State of the Union to advance a Presidential AIDS Initiative," said Paul Davis, director of U.S. government relations for Health GAP, a global AIDS activist group.