Call for France to increase AIDS spending

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the US-based AIDS organisation, has called on the French government to add 'generosity' to its motto of 'liberty, equality and fraternity' by at least doubling its funding for global AIDS relief. Although Frence is the world's fourth largest economy, 'Britain's direct AIDS relief is ten times more generous,' said AHF president Michael Weinstein. Bilateral assistance levels for the UK total US$313m, compared with just $31m for France. 'The noble ideals of the French motto ring hollow when it comes to global AIDS,' he said.

AHF has delivered a written appeal to the French Ambassador urging a doubling of its obligation to the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, noting that: 'As of 2002, your bilateral support and pledge for HIV/AIDS to the Global Fund totalled $67m, which is equivalent to 0.0047% of your GDP. We ask for a commitment of $134m, doubling your contribution total.' With 8,500 AIDS deaths daily, the WHO has set a goal of bringing anti-retroviral treatment to 3m people by 2005.