TOMMY THOMPSON: May I have your attention, everybody, because this is a very important press conference for us from America. And I’m delighted to have so many of you here. Thank the press for showing up on a Sunday afternoon.

I would like to introduce the individuals who are with me. The individual to my far right is Dr. Trent Char (MS?), who represents international health programs in Department of State and would more than willing to answer any questions concerning the Department of State’s involvement in – on the fight on international AIDS.

And of course to my immediate right is Dr. Louis Sullivan, who is a former (MS?) at Health and Human Services and just stepped down as of July 1st this year, as he is heading Morehouse Medical School. And he’s just (MS?) a remarkable job in everything he’s undertaken.

And I believe he’s the last secretary, Howard (MS?) that appeared in terms of international AIDS conference until today.

And on my immediate left is Dr. Tony Fletcher, who as everybody knows, has been leading our efforts in (MS?) to find the cure, the vaccines, and the therapies necessary to fight this scourge.

And on my far left is Dr. Ann Peterson, who represents USAID. And not only on AIDS question, but on all health questions internationally. So I thank all of you for joining us here today.

And (MS?) is absolutely (MS?). As Tommy Thompson said here at Health and Human Services. (MS?) the United States government delegation to the 14th international AIDS conference.

With me on (MS?) besides the individuals that I have spoken, are some outstanding people, who are committed to (MS?) spread of HIV. We have representatives here from NIH, (MS?), CDC, USAID, FDA, and the State Department.

We’re working together in research and treatment and prevention efforts all around the world. I am joined today, as I’ve indicated by these individuals at the table. In this conference is extremely, I want to underscore that, an extremely important event for our nation and also for the world as a whole.

HIV/AIDS is one of the most significant problems of our times, and for that matter, it’s probably one of the most significant problems facing this world at any time in our past.

And this conference provides an unmatched opportunity to meet, to share what we’ve learned, and be able to redouble our commitment to fighting this disease.

Our delegation comes to Barcelona with the good wishes of the president of the United States, George W. Bush. We have to bear true core messages to this convention.

One, the United States is absolutely committed to a fight against global HIV/AIDS. Second, we want so (MS?) most in need. And third, (MS?) not to just discuss and to learn, but more importantly, to act.

In terms of the time, programs and (MS?), the (MS?) are the Bush administration to doing all that we can to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS is unprecedented. Simply put, more administration in any nation has ever (MS?) fighting HIV/AIDS as high a priority as the United States under this administration.

In fact, since taking office, President Bush has nearly doubled, nearly doubled over 18 months that he’s been in office the international HIV/AIDS spending of the United States government. In 2001, to give you some indication, President Clinton’s budget requests for international HIV/AIDS spending was $726 million. With our most recent commitment to (MS?) mother to child transmission, this number is going to grow this year to $1.3 billion.

Overall, HIV/AIDS spending by the United States government has increased from $14 billion in fiscal year 2001 to a proposed $16 billion in fiscal year 2003. That includes the increase in international funding from $726 million, as I’ve just pointed out, to $1.3 billion over the same period.

(MS?) now. And people don’t understand this, but the United States government alone now accounts for more than 40 percent of the donor assistance spent on HIV/AIDS throughout the world.

The administration is absolutely passionate, absolutely devoted to working to find a cure in effective vaccine. And the gentleman to my immediate left probably will have more to do with finding that cure, that vaccine, than any other person in the world, Tony Fauci (MS?).

But the government, the United States government, has allocated unprecedented resources to the National Institutes of Health, the unquestioned global leader in biomedical research.

The (MS?) requests for fiscal 2003 includes $2.8 billion for HIV research, which is a 10 percent increase, a 10 percent increase over fiscal year 2002.

Additionally, (MS?) doubling of the NIH budget. (MS?) AIDS vaccine research has increased, has increased by 185 percent. This (MS?) includes our leadership and (MS?) first pledge of $200 billion to a global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria in the spring of 2001, which I was in attendance when the president made his commitment to Kofi Annan, the head of the United Nations.

And this was before the fund had even been created. Since then, the United States’ commitment has risen to $500 million. And the United States is the only nation so far to make the second pledge to the fund.

And then just this past month, under the leadership of Department of Health and Human Services, which I’m so proud to be able to lead for the president, (MS?) $500 (MS?) international mother to child HIV preventative initiative.

And this (MS?) is designed to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mothers to infants. It is expected to reach(MS?) and treat one million mothers. (MS?) women can (MS?), resulting in a reduction of mother to child transmission by 40 percent within five years in 12 African countries and the Caribbean.

And it is not only a goal, but I want you to know that this is a passion. (MS?) person and every member of the team of Department of Health and Human Services to do everything we possibly can to stem the tide of the transmission of HIV/AIDS to children from mothers.

And we are (MS?) this effort. And that is why the Department, along with USAID, Department of State and the president announced this program.

And I (MS?) passed 17 months of this administration. Secondly, it’s Powell, Colin Powell, Paul O’Neill and myself, all have (MS?) Africa (MS?) firsthand the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS and how U.S. resources can be spent.

President Bush also is scheduling to visit Africa next year. We are also in the Department ready to fight in HIV/AIDS by building upon existing strengths. Governmental and private sector organizations in assuring that we are spending public and private money as effectively and as efficiently as possible.

And so that (MS?) announcing today that my very good friend and the outstanding deputy secretary of the department, Claude Allen, was here with us today. He’s going to (MS?) counterparts at State and USAID to streamlining the role of the private sector in NGOS, work with the federal government.

(MS?) to be able to ensure there is one consistent way to work with the federal government for all private groups, because we can’t do it alone, as government units. We have to have the buy-in from the private, the non-profits, and other governments, if we’re going to win this fight. And we want to do it as effectively and as efficiently as possible.

So as we (MS?) resources of (MS?) the United States will continue to allocate (MS?) to fight HIV both at home and abroad. HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that knows no borders. Therefore, the United States government is committed to (MS?) domestic and global inference as much as possible.

In order to reduce the incidence of HIV domestically, which is also our fight, we want to be able to reduce the incidence of HIV domestically by 50 percent by 2010.

That is our goal. And we did (MS?). We want to (MS?) people as soon as possible, once they infected. We want to make sure money goes to those individuals and populations who may (MS?) most in order to reduce (MS?) and utter despairness.

This international AIDS conference provides us an excellent opportunity to continue to (MS?) and strengthen partnerships with nations around the world, but also with the scientific community in the private sector to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

And in conclusion, I would like to point out once again we’re here because we want to be here. We’re here because we believe that this is a fight the United States of America has got to be very much involved in. But it’s also a fight, and (MS?) everybody. And these other governments in some private sector, in its NGOs, it needs people to step up. And instead of criticizing, we have to look forward to working together in partnerships, to better serve a larger population, people that need it right now.

And we’re going to do that. And we’re here to let the world know that we are concerned and we’re willing partners to do everything we possibly can to fight this scourge in any country in any region of the world.

And I thank you so very for being here. And now I’d like to ask Dr. Louis Sullivan. He would like to say a few words. Dr. Chao, Ann Peterson, and then Tony Fauci (MS?). Okay.

LOUIS SULLIVAN: Thank you very much, Secretary Thompson. As co-chair of the presidential council on HIV/AIDS, it’s my pleasure to be here, to represent the council to bring the message that the secretary has articulated to all of our colleagues from around the world, as well as to listen to them, because this is a fight that we all must join together, if we are to be successful.

And I also believe that a number of members of the presidential council are here at the meeting. Some are here at this press conference. It’s a measure of their commitment, and they are here. The council represents not only the private sector, but representatives from state governments, and private voluntary organizations, as we bring all of those talents and energies together to focus both domestically and internationally on better ways to stem this tide of HIV/AIDS.

So it’s my pleasure to be here with the secretary and his staff, who are representing the presidential council on HIV/AIDS. Thank you.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Dr. Chao?

DR. CHAO: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. On behalf of Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary Thompson in conveying our commitment to counter the global AIDS epidemic as a major foreign policy priority for the United States, Secretary Powell is personally (MS?) with the issue of his Secretary Thompson. And he is committed to raising AIDS and our major diplomatic core. He is also committed to mobilizing our ambassador and diplomatic core to project a message that we (MS?). And we concerned.

And we are committed to promoting this market at HHS and AFD, promoting it in the way that performs, where can best afford our resources. So we join the team here as in sending that performance (MS?) a major role in confronting and reversing the pandemic. Thank you.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Thank you, Jack. Dr. Ann?

DR. ANN: Thank you. I’ve been involved with international HIV first 1982. In sub Saharan Africa, there were a number of (MS?). I care passionately about those who are suffering now and those who would be suffering in the future, who do not get a handle on this pandemic.

(MS?) there needs to be at USAID, the agency that does the (MS?) of health (MS?) to show how furious they are about the health issues (MS?) HIV/AIDS and those wonderful (MS?) agencies he represents (MS?) and work to immediately affect and do that on his work in AIDS. And I would follow (MS?). Thank you.

MALE SPEAKER: Dr. Fauci (MS?)?

DR. Fauci (MS?): It’s (MS?) in the United States and international (MS?). I am sad that we have to be here today, but(MS?) together.

I’m quite (MS?) in (MS?) to work directly with (MS?). Thank you.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Thank you very much, Tony. Go ahead.

RICHARD INGHAM: I’m Richard Ingham. I’m from the (MS?) News Agency. Question, if I may. Not so much with AIDS, but (MS?). And I just wanted to sort of challenge the (MS?) as well.

We heard that – figures this afternoon, which were (MS?) about the sub Saharan African country, which are facing serious demographic problems in the (MS?) or so. And obviously, this is going to have huge impact on the country’s ability to survive, the United States.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Absolutely.

RICHARD INGHAM: I mean, we’ll know that terrorism defines a (MS?), particularly in dilapidated, run down countries, countries which only (MS?) don’t have a government or economy. They (MS?) that’s where they find their home.

And just so we (MS?) more strategic into the states to (MS?) – partnering you have to come back to the (MS?), also for strategic reasons as this (MS?) where you want to prevent these companies from becoming homes for future bin Laden?

MALE SPEAKER: Well, there’s no question that all these things are taken in consideration. But the number one goal and the number on objective is to treat individuals that need treatment.

Two has to do everything we possibly can to join with the international community and fight this scourge. And if we do not fight it now, this scourge, the epidemic is going to grow in China, in India, in Ethiopia, in Nigeria, and in Russia. And that’s the next hot spots. And we have to do something in order to prevent that.

Third, my department has just entered into an agreement with China this past week in which we gave a $14.8 million to assist them in their fight in China.

And so, we’re fighting on humanitarian grounds. We’re fighting that – because it’s the right thing to do, but we also realize fully, as you’ve indicated, that unless we do something, there are some countries that are going to be very unstable in the future because of the decimation that this terrible disease is going to raise in those countries.

And you know as well as I do that international terrorists will go wherever they possibly can, in order to flourish their hatred and their convictions and assaults on humanity.

And so, yes, that is something, the number one reason, I want you to point that out, is to take care of this fight, and to fight this fight wherever we possibly can.

Jack, you want to respond?

MALE SPEAKER: To the extent that this virus infiltrates, permeates and devastates whole nations and societies, it will continue to be a major foreign policy and strategic priority for the United States, as we and our global partners seek governments that are effective, economies that provide economic opportunities for individuals and to the extent that this virus tears apart the social fabric, this virus will continue to undermine these strategic moves of the United States and impulse.

I can speak clearly for Secretary of (MS?) conquering the pandemic supports, these prior – our foreign policy objectives as well.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Sir?

MALE SPEAKER: Secretary, (MS?), you mentioned the (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: That is correct.

MALE SPEAKER: You don’t treat the mothers. You (MS?).

TOMMY THOMPSON: We intend to treat the mothers. This is a program that has several aspects to it. Number one is to treat the mother, treat the child. At the same time, within the country, to build the infrastructure, the medical infrastructure, and also to assist them in being able to train individuals in regards to the AIDS fight and medical personnel, tacticians, and nurses and so on.

And the fourth one is to develop a program called the Twinning (MS?) Proposal, in which we will take medical people, hospitals, clinics, and be able to adopt a counterpart in a particular country from America, and be able to (MS?) the expertise of that hospital or that clinic or medical personnel, and be able to get into Africa, go into the Caribbean, and set up similar programs in those particular areas.

So we’re treating the money. We’re treating the child. We’re going to also try to build the infrastructure. And that’s what the mother to child transmission program’s all about.

MALE SPEAKER: (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: You want (MS?)?

MALE SPEAKER: Let me just – it’s something like comprehension (MS?) you’re talking about, the problem that we find to have (MS?). One would be that when you tested the (MS?) infrastructure, that if (MS?) you’re suggesting, which is inappropriate (MS?). Mainly, you treat (MS?), so that you’re treated more as a (MS?), as well as for the blocking of transmission by (MS?).

When you look at the program (MS?) child transmission, then a component of that within those (MS?) at this point, the way from an infrastructure standpoint to absorb that.

And one of the (MS?) on the high prevalence groups that (MS?) infrastructure to even allow us to do that (MS?), than make (MS?), is to do the (MS?) baby.

So we’re saying the indications of that, but the program ultimately (MS?) will ultimately get to that in which you want to hit the ground running and you can’t do that, given the infrastructure.

MALE SPEAKER: How much of the program now is (MS?) treat adults (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: The first portion of the program is more for the Nuvarapine (MS?) between the mother and the child. And then it’s ramping up, where in those countries, depending upon where the country is from, as Dr. Kowalski (MS?) pointed out, in those countries that has the medical infrastructure already in place, we will be going in with a full prevention therapy, as Dr. Fauci (MS?) has pointed out.

I think most countries that don’t have the infrastructure, we are going to start out, as he’s indicated, with the Nevirapine (MS?) for the mother and for the child.

Hopefully, over the course of the next five years, which is our intent is to build that infrastructure through the Twinning Proposal, that other proposals, so that we expand eventually to get to the full prevention as you’ve indicated, which of course is the ultimate objective.

MALE SPEAKER: Treatment.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Treatment.

MALE SPEAKER: Mr. Secretary, there needs (MS?) working group or (MS?) in the United States has estimated that we need $200 million this year and $162 million next year to treat people with HIV in the U.S. for not accessing lifesaving antiretrovirals in our country.

What is (MS?) suggest while we ramp up the necessary support (MS?) countries and developing world. You talked about (MS?) disparities. In our country, it’s mostly people of color, women, young people, African Americans, Latinos, Latinos who are suffering from this lack of accessing antiretroviral virus. What is the administration going to do to plug that in (MS?) this year and (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: We intend to be asking Congress for some additional money. And we’ve already expanded the budget for this year. We’re also expanding the global front. And we’re going to be expanding the domestic programs.

It’s the appropriation process right now, as you know, and it’s going through Congress. And we’re hoping to deal with it and get some additional money in the future, to be able to (MS?), make sure that that gap is taken care of.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Is it time to cut the rate of HIV infections in the U.S. (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: Our plans are working with NIH, with CDC. And the CDC is going to be doing a good share of the work in setting up the plans in order to accomplish that.

It’s the goal of CDC to set out a program over the course of the next five to 10 years, to accomplish that. And we expect to be able to use that program as a blueprint, in order to accomplish our objective.

It’s ambitious, but this is something that we want to do.

FEMALE SPEAKER: And you think that this is (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: Very much so. And for the -- there’s no question about the minorities, the homosexual communities, all of these are going to be hit very hard by the CDC program in order to prevent the spread of HIV infection.

MALE SPEAKER: Dr. Fauci (MS?), how close are we to (MS?)?

DR. Fauci (MS?): In layman’s terms, when you talk about cures and what we classically think of as a cure in removing the virus completely from an individual, we need to realize the possibility, if not probability, that that will not happen.

When you talk about a series of drugs given in combination, that can suppress the virus for an extended period of time, so that people as many or now, particularly developed nations, natural (MS?) have resistance.

So how do you try to counter that? We try to counter it with drugs that we develop. And there are several in the pipeline, some of which you’re going to hear about at this meeting, that are more user friendly than the given (MS?) doses. You don’t have to give them multiple times a day.

And (MS?) less toxic. And through that, would overcome the resistance that has emerged to other drugs.

So right now the ultimate game – ultimate (MS?) would be to have a cure in a classic sense. You can (MS?) and still have a major target of impact on the health of HIV infected individuals. That’s our immediate program.

The (MS?) would be to have (MS?) talking about. (MS?) ability to integrate themselves into cells, it’s quite problematic to (MS?) completely from the (MS?) virus.

JOHN FONG: My name is John Fong. I’m from “Science” magazine. I don’t mean to ask the when did you stop beating your wife question, but there’s been – there have been several sources who have told me that you asked not to speak in the same session with Mr. Mukai (MS?) from Thailand, who is going to discuss the common campaign because you had an abstinence method and you didn’t want confusion with the condom method. Is there any truth to it? Then that’s completely wrong?

TOMMY THOMPSON: John, it’s the first time I heard.

JOHN FONG: Okay.

TOMMY THOMPSON: You’re wrong.

[laughter]

MALE SPEAKER: (MS?) were talking about this. So it’s not my imagination coming up with this.

TOMMY THOMPSON: John, it’s the first time I heard about – I was – that’s why I looked so stunned. I (MS?), but –

MALE SPEAKER: (MS?) that I’m talking about.

TOMMY THOMPSON: They (MS?), but I want to (MS?).

FEMALE SPEAKER: Can I –

TOMMY THOMPSON: Did you want to say something, Ann?

DR. ANN: Yes.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Maybe you (MS?).

DR. ANN: (MS?) that as the agency that implements a lot of the programs on the ground. We have the ABC absence (MS?). And those three together are an integral part of all of our programs, as we with our new resource allocation. One of the first things we did was take $25 million off of the tops of (MS?) fund (MS?) first year was better for buying (MS?) for HIV/AIDS that would have had previously done.

So the evidence isn’t very clear that (MS?) will make a difference. But in each of those (MS?) with condoms as is appropriate for the risk populations that on the implementation and (MS?).

TOMMY THOMPSON: Laura?

FEMALE SPEAKER: Secretary (MS?) suggested some months ago that all the GA nations, and indeed all the wealthy nations, should aspire to contributing 0.7 percent of GNP to foreign development funds and with a special target to help fund.

Though we’re giving 44 percent of the amount that so far has been committed to the global fund, last (MS?) .01 percent of GNP that we’re spending in this manner. Is this administration prepared to make a commitment in relation to the (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: We are definitely, Lori, committed to this fight. And (MS?) the fact that we’ve almost doubled the amount of money from the last year of the Clinton administration and to 18 months from the Bush administration for international AIDS.

Secondly, we’re the only country that has put in a second amount of money into the global fund. That (MS?) to encourage his counterparts in Europe to also contribute to the global fund. But we have put in 25 percent of the money currently and 44 percent of all the money that’s being spent on international AIDS.

Third, we will continue the fight, as we have beyond just the global fund, by setting up other programs, which we have just done, and the president has announced, in regards to mother to child transmission. This is something that I personally am passionate about, as is the department is.

And we are going to do everything we possibly can to ramp that up and expand it. We’re (MS?) to be able to, in the countries that we’re in, be able to maybe (MS?) at least 40 percent of the transmissions to children during this period of time, which is an ultimate goal.

And fourth and finally, (MS?), one is we are to continue to move forward and see results and see programs, we will continue to expand the funding. The president has said that. The department has said that. And I have said that. And we will continue to do that.

In regards to that (MS?), eight tenths of one percent, I can’t speak because all I can tell you that is in the Department of Treasury at OMB and it’s beyond my pay rate. I can tell you what the department is doing and what we intend to do in the future. We intend to fight this war where we possibly can.

Yes, sir?

MALE SPEAKER: Secretary, I noticed in the increase in giving for 2000, 2001 that (MS?) of $4 million to all the Caribbean and Latin America, which far pales in comparison to (MS?) in other areas. You say (MS?) not as important as other parts of the world?

TOMMY THOMPSON: Oh, absolutely not. In fact, the program is (MS?) next to real hot spot. In fact, I don’t know if you know this enough, but I spent a couple days down in Guyana a couple of months ago, meeting with the international health ministers and the health ministers of the Caribbean and their ambassadors, trying to find ways in which we could do a better job.

And as you know, the mother to child transmission also deals with the continent of Africa and also deals with the Caribbean nations. And so, we’re teaming up in the Caribbean full force with the Caribbean nations, in order to fight this fight.

MALE SPEAKER: But what we require the -- (MS?) receiving the money (MS?) into their formularies and (MS?), we’re going to group (MS?), for example, an NGO, simply educate through condoms.

Well (MS?) have to be a part of their program.

TOMMY THOMPSON: It’s – there is no limitation at this point.

MALE SPEAKER: There’s no requirement that they follow abstinence (MS?)?

FEMALE SPEAKER: The General Accounting Office (MS?) program on AIDS in Africa and has several (MS?) having to do with lack of evaluation, it really is to compare between different sectors. And it’s been also public (MS?) inability to follow the money to (MS?) outcomes in USAID programs on eight million health issues.

In addition to an allocation, the USAID contractor in Uganda (MS?) given technical assistance on (MS?) legislation limiting options for (MS?) generic or low cost medication and (MS?).

Why is the administration choosing to use bilateral funding in these (MS?) initiatives while it’s in support, the raw (MS?) initiative that would have added $500 to $700 million this year during the emergency supplemental to the international (MS?).

FEMALE SPEAKER: (MS?)?

TOMMY THOMPSON: Yeah.

FEMALE SPEAKER: I’m not sure that that’s the Uganda issue at all. As far as the GAO monitoring and evaluation, I think there are two pieces. One is the global (MS?) agency were also a (MS?) that needs to do many things as any (MS?) program, held together with (MS?), together with economic development.

So as you try and roll the numbers back up, there are different things that are combined. So that’s one thing.

The second is the evaluation for programs and there were (MS?) all along. We’ve had imitators for a strategic objective for a number of years. We have additionally, in response to the GAO, intensified our monitoring evaluation. And together with CDC, are now that we jointly requiring the same indicators to be measured and reported on the priorities (MS?). You (MS?) national levels (MS?) have the full data.

So no reason (MS?) the data gathering. (MS?) HIV/AIDS was bilateral programs work with a lot of NGO (MS?) for a long time. And in fact, as you look at the global fund, and I (MS?) there isn’t clear that (MS?) assistance from the bilateral donors to give (MS?) and to influence proposals that are (MS?).

So I don’t think we should be doing just one direction. We should be doing both. And I would add to what the secretary said. Not only (MS?) something (MS?), we have been (MS?) with the increasing outbound (MS?) on the bilateral. I can’t think of any country that can say that.

TOMMY THOMPSON: You asked a second question in regards to global fund, putting the 500 additional $500 million (MS?). Ann has just mentioned that. What I also want to point out is that the United States is the only country that has put on the second tranche of money into a global fund. And at this particular point in time. And we’ll encourage other countries to do so, because the fund needs some extra dollars.

(MS?) the fund is just getting started. And the president, USAID, Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services, probably would be good, especially the area of mother to child to set up a new program to advance it, and to be able to accelerate it, so that we can show hopefully these final results (MS?) examples of what we’re trying to accomplish in ways to improve the quality of life in those countries, and be able to stem the transmission to children.

And that’s why we set up this program. And we would do both in the future. We will continue to participate in a global fund. We will also contribute in bio transmission and by nations in order to try and find ways, in order to come up with programs to be able to prevent this scourge.

And that’s why the mother to child transmission. Tony, did you want to add something (MS?)?

DR. Fauci (MS?): No, actually, (MS?), Mr. Secretary.

MALE SPEAKER: It’s a question for both secretaries, Thompson and Sullivan. (MS?). Would you both speak to the fact that it seems that this country is becoming more black and more brown, and the figures that we talked about today, the CDC, (MS?) heterosexual transmissions in this country are among black females. And (MS?) about healthcare in this country, the disparity in this country, and the potential spread to the social (MS?)?

MALE SPEAKER: Certainly the problem of the high infection rate in (MS?) and other minorities in the United States is a great challenge. This is a disease, a virus, that really permeates populations who are for and (MS?).

Clearly, the strategy to address this needs, a very broad educational effort, as well as availability of funds for treating the virus and treating the infection.

So this represents really a (MS?). It means having the trade (MS?) and the facilities to treat individuals. But it also means educating the population, so that individuals, groups, those are things that they have seen themselves to help bring this infection under control.

So this is a very clear example of an infection where we need to work in partnership with our citizens, because only when they are well educated and know how this virus is transmitted, and it can be prevented, with they undertake those actions that will be helpful in curbing this infection.

I was also thinking about the fact there was – October of 1989, (MS?) proud to be in services. But (MS?) the first drug (MS?) against this virus. We still have a major challenge, but we also (MS?) the last 13 years (MS?) of drugs and therapies. And (MS?) leadership on the part of the United States in addressing this issue nationally.

So while the secretary and Dr. Fauci (MS?) has stated, (MS?) have a major challenge in front of us, I think we are positioned in a much stronger place now than we were a little more than a decade ago.

And so far, we have yet much to do (MS?) and please via the strength of our scientific (MS?) several classes of drugs available. We go (MS?). And while indeed, as Dr. Fauci (MS?) has stated, we can’t really say positively about a cure and (MS?). Clearly, we have a financial already of this (MS?) being kept under control.

Our challenge is to continue to develop new therapies because the virus does change. So that this remarkable improvement in therapy can be extended. But clearly, we have a lot yet to do, but we have accomplished a tremendous amount over the past decade.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Tony?

DR. Fauci (MS?): No, actually just to reiterate, many of our programs now are (MS?) cognizant of this in (MS?) in terms of trials (MS?) when we have our domestic community, as well as the (MS?) specifically now directing via (MS?) who are now representing the face of the epidemic in our country.

As you know, 50 percent of the new cases – 40 percent of the new cases are among African American.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Yes, last question?

MALE SPEAKER: Mr. Secretary as (MS?) just pointed out, (MS?) as a community message, it’s very hard by drug abuse. (MS?) aware of the epidemic is spreading most rapidly at the moment (MS?) IV drug use. I’d like to know from you and also former Secretary Sullivan whether you will fund needle exchange, which has been shown (MS?) stop or slow the spread of HIV (MS?), both here and abroad?

MALE SPEAKER: It’s a very difficult issue, as you know. As you know, President Clinton in the last administration said no to the funding and the exchange program. And all these things are being considered. But there’s not been a change in policy at this point in time.

MALE SPEAKER: And Mr. Sullivan?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well my question is easier when I was secretary because those studies have not shown efficacy of needle exchange programs during my time as secretary. We funded studies.

Obviously, as health officials, as we want to do everything we can to improve the health of our citizens. We also want to be sure of our actions that we take don’t promote undesirable actions. And of course, that would be a (MS?) dilemma that the use of drugs is obviously very deleterious on populations, not only in terms of health, but also the (MS?) of resources.

And so clearly, we have the (MS?) ways to address this infection, but in ways that would not promote (MS?). So that will be the dilemma that we all wrestle with on (MS?) infection.

TOMMY THOMPSON: Thank you all for coming. And we appreciate it.