2/10: Primaries, AIDS, debt, and trade

Dear Friends, (please RSVP)

You are invited to a strategy meeting on inserting Global AIDS, debt
and trade
into the California Primary debate. PAUL DAVIS and JENNIFER COHN will
be in Oakland
on Tuesday, February 10, 6-8 PM, Women of Color Resource Center,
1601 Telegraph, Suite 303, Oakland (19th St. BART). Pizza, fruit and
water/juices
will be awaiting you. RSVP to John Iversen 510-841-4339.

The event is co-sponsored by HealthGAP, ACT UP East Bay and
Priority Africa Network.

Davis and Cohn have spent much time in Iowa and New Hampshire
raising these issues. Due largely to their efforts all major Democratic
candidates have agreed to spend $6 billion annually on Global AIDS.
Approximately 3 times what Bush requested for 2004. We need to
keep the heat on in California.

Paul Davis is a long time AIDS activist from ACT UP Philadelphia and
HealthGAP. He was the smart, politically savvy driving force behind
the huge grassroots
initiative which forced President Bush to adopt a global AIDS plan
unveiled in his 2003 State of the Union address. Davis has been the
driving force behind most global AIDS initiatives aimed at US elected
officials.

Jen Cohn is a fourth year medical student at University of Pennsylvania
School of Medicine and a member of the HealthGAP (Global Access
Project)
Coalition. Jen also works with the American
Medical Student Association (AMSA) and with the Health Professional
Student
AIDS Advocacy Network (HPSAAN).

From the meeting we hope you can make a commitment to attend at least
one
primary/candidate event to raise these important issues. We will keep
all
who attend or call updated on all candidates' appearances throughout
the
Bay Area.

***********************
If you can't come, but want to raise the issue with candidates in
California in
February, here is a sample list of questions:

An easy question for even your favorite candidate
might be "What is the difference between your Global AIDS Platform and
those
of the other candidates and George Bush?"

Sample Questions

Semi Open Ended Questions
1. I have a two part question. First question: as you know, Colin
Powell has
stated that AIDS is the most important security threat faced by the
world.
Can you explain why he would say this?
a. Second question option 1: What would you do to address this national
security threat? –or-
b. Second question option 2: If national security is such an important
issue, why aren't you talking about AIDS at every speech?

2. With 100 million infections expected by 2010, global AIDS is the
crisis
of our lifetime. If we are to stop the tide of this pandemic which is
threatening civilization as we know it, the next US president will have
to
have a strong AIDS plan. Will you please explain your AIDS plan and the
differences between your plan and
a. Option 1: the other candidates AIDS plans –or-
b. Option 2: President Bush's AIDS plan

3. Many experts predict that 100 million people will have HIV by 2010
and
the HIV pandemic is just beginning. Please give us your assessment of
Bush's
meager contribution to fighting the AIDS pandemic and how you will
plan, as
the next president, to honor your promises on global AIDS.

4. Global AIDS is continuing to decimate countries and threaten entire
continents. 8200 people die each day due to AIDS – that's equivalent
to the
World Trade Center falling 3 times each day. In order to combat this
pandemic, I read on your web site that as president you will commit $30
billion by 2008 to Global AIDS. Please tell me specifically how you
will
appropriate these funds so that the US can take real action to stop the
global AIDS holocaust.

5. Please explain your specific plans to address global AIDS, including
how
you will fight the epidemic in our own country.

6. In the US, nearly two thirds of all new infections occur among
people of
color, and a disproportionate number of people living with AIDS are
African
Americans and Latinos. Please explain how you plan to address the acute
AIDS
crisis in communities of color.

7. According to the CDC, half of all new HIV infections in the US (some
20,000 each year) occur among people under age 25. What steps will you
take
to reverse this severe health threat for adolescents and young adults,
including college-age people?


Global Fund Questions

1. The Global Fund was launched with much fan fair at the G8 summit
with
inaugural donation given by President Bush. However his contribution so
far
to this international fund has been too small, and the Global Fund is
bankrupt and rejecting good applications from countries heavily
affected by
HIV/ AIDS. Will you support a contribution of at least $30 Billion,
which
experts say is necessary by 2008?

2. Currently 8200 people die of AIDS each day. That is equivalent to
the
World Trade Center travesty occurring 3 times a day every day. Within
12
months the deaths related to AIDS will equal the population in the
State of
Iowa. Will you support a contribution of at least $30 billion to fully
fund
the Global Fund and maintain existing bilateral aid.

3. The Global Fund is $700 million short and will have to turn away
good
applications. Will you right now introduce an emergency supplemental
spending bill to support the Global Fund so they can fully fund all of
the
highly qualified application the Global Fund has received?

4. As of yet, Bush been the only Presidential candidate to talk about
AIDS
as a part of their platform. The other democratic candidates seem
dedicated
to mediocrity and spinelessness in that they have not provided any
alternatives to Bush's rob Peter to pay Paul plan for dealing with the
AIDS pandemic. As a matter of fact, I have yet to hear a Democratic
Candidate acknowledge AIDS as a leading foreign policy issue. Will you
rise
up from mediocrity and adopt a plan that has been endorsed by over 350
NGOs
to fully fund the Global Fund which includes $30 billion to global AIDS
by
2008 with half to the global AIDS fund?

5. The global AIDS crisis is the most devastating epidemic since the
Black
Plague. The CIA characterizes AIDS in Africa as a massive threat to
American Security. The United States is the wealthiest country in the
world. But America ranks last in the world when aid is measured as a
share
of global wealth. Between now and 2008, will you support US spending of
at
least $30 billion to fight global AIDS, with at least $15 billion going
to
the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria?

6. Bush promised the world his meager $200 million 2001 donation to the
Global Fund was a down payment and then proceeded to shift money from
other development programs into global AIDS spending. In his State of
the
Union Address, President Bush also announced he plans to flat-line US
funding of the Global Fund at $200 million until 2008. The Global Fund
is
up and running, and has already awarded more than $2 billion to more
than 80
programs around the world. Our Health and Human Services Secretary is
the
Chair of the Global Fund Board- but the US refuses to put its money
where
it's mouth is! Between 2004 and 2008, the US should contribute at least
$15
billion to the Global Fund – that's our fair share of the Fund's
conservative projected needs. Will you contribute this modest annual
investment, starting at $1.7 billion in 2004 to save lives?

7. President Bush went to Africa from July 7-12. Bush speaks about his
AIDS
and trade policies that have actually under funded the Global AIDS Fund
while
limiting access to affordable generics medicines. Will you commit to
the
minimum
necessary $30 billion needed by 2008 to start making a serious dent in
the
AIDS epidemic that is destabilizing the globe?

Orphan Questions

1. There are 14.2 million orphaned children due to AIDS. If we don't do
anything now there will be more orphans due to AIDS than those in the
US
public school system by 2010. According to the Orphans and Vulnerable
children Task force, a mere $50 per day annually will buy a future for
children orphaned due to AIDS. Will you support ??? towards programs
dedicated to the needs of children affected by AIDS?

2. Both CIA director George Tenet and Sec. Of State Collin Powell have
said
that AIDS in Africa is the largest national security threat. Sec. Of
State
Powell has also said that the affects due to AIDS in Asia will be
larger
than that from a nuclear weapon. Will you support an investment of ????
to
decrease orphan's vulnerability to terrorist organizations?

3. Currently there are 42 million people infected with HIV world wide,
there
are 14.2 million orphaned children due to HIV / AIDS, 91% of which live
in
sub-Saharan Africa. According to the CDC and the United Nations, AIDS
is
the 4th leading cause of death world wide. The CDC and United Nations
have
also documented measurable declines in nutritional status and
educational
opportunities of children who have lost a parent. Will you support an
investment of at least ??? from the United States to give a child an
opportunity for a stable life with access to education, healthcare and
food?

4. Currently there are 42 million people infected with HIV, 8200 people
die
a day due to HIV/AIDS. Worse yet, the disease jeopardizes the future of
Africa by turning its youth into a generation of orphans, lacking the
social
supports provided by parents and family. 91% of the world's orphans are
African children, largely because their mothers did not have access to
expensive drugs and healthcare that can prolong lives and block
mother-to-child transmission. Currently there are 10 million orphans in
Africa because of AIDS; many are infected, and some live on the streets
in
deep poverty. No one cares or provides for them, By 2010, the number of
AIDS
orphans in Africa will reach a staggering 44 million. Will you support
an
investment of at least ??? by the United States into programs directly
aimed
at alleviating this orphan crisis?


5. As a parent, I believe that it takes a community to raise a child.
However, HIV / AIDS has destroyed communities around the world by
killing
those that are in the prime of their lives, those that are of child
rearing
age, and those that are at or near the peak of their income-earning
potential. In it's wake, HIV/AIDS has left behind the elderly and
vulnerable children to raise themselves. Will you support an investment
of
at least $30 billion dollars by 2008 to fight global AIDS in order to
stem
the tide against HIV/AIDS?

Debt Cancellation Questions

1. The Pope has come out requesting that the United States, World Bank
and
IMF drop the debt of least developed countries. Would you follow the
Pope's
request and use US influence in the IMF and World Bank to drop the
debt?

2. Many counties are spending more money on debt repayment than
healthcare
and education combined. Will you join the Pope and use the power of the
US
treasury department in the IMF and World bank to ensure full debt
cancellation for poor developing countries?

3. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa spend more than $15 billion annually
repaying old loans. This money was often lent to corrupt regimes that
are
no longer in power. The resources we give to these countries are being
handed over to the World Bank in debt service. 100% debt cancellation
for
the world poorest countries would free up billion to fight AIDS and
poverty.
Will you use the power of the US government over the IMF and World Bank
to
plug the debt drain for the world's poorest countries?

4. Currently 42 million people are infected with HIV. More than 98% of
them
live in poor developing nations. The cure for this pandemic is not
national
but international. The deep silence that makes African leaders and
societies
want to deny the problem that render them helpless is something the
West
cannot fix. But the fact that they are poor is not. The United States
must
help. Debt cancellation is a prerequisite to African development. The
United
States must come out to join this struggle. Although the Bush
Administration
has pledged a fight against terrorism, it has shown little or no
interest in
leading an international effort to fight the terror of AIDS. When the
history of our time is written, how do we tell future generations that
we
watched the death of more than 40 million people, at least half of
which we
could have prevented, and did nothing? If you are elected to office
will
you use the power of the US government at the IMF and World Bank to
cancel
the debt of these poor developing counties so that they may concentrate
efforts on saving lives, providing education to their youth, building
infrastructure, and providing basic human necessities like running
water?

Treatment / Break the Patents Questions

1. Many people hold up Uganda's ABC model as a model for AIDS
prevention and
reduction. Uganda has made great strides in reducing the infection rate
of
HIV and deaths related to AIDS. Brazil however has adopted a model of
treatment for all by putting healthcare before pharmaceutical companies
profits by manufacturing generic medications. This has lead to greater
reduction of HIV infections and AIDS related deaths. To ensure access
to
these life saving AIDS medications, the US must support policies that
will
allow access to affordable generic medicines imported and exported to
developing counties. Will you help save lives and ensure access to
medications by keeping restrictive intellectual property provisions out
of
bi- and multi-lateral trade agreements?

2. Currently 8200 people die of AIDS each day. That is equivalent to
the
World Trade Center travesty occurring 3 times a day every day. Within
12
months the deaths related to AIDS will equal the population in the
State of
Iowa. President Bush has instructed the USTR (US trade representative)
to
file complaints at the World Trade Organization against countries that
are
issuing compulsory licensees of AIDS drugs. The Bush Administration has
also been undermining the 2001 Doha Declaration through bilateral or
regional trade agreements such as FTAA and FTA with Singapore. Will you
support the free compulsory licensing import and export of generic
medicines?

3. The CIA projects that the 43 million people with AIDS will balloon
to 100
million by 2010, 95% of which have no access to treatment. At WTO and
bilateral trade negotiations, Bush is protecting pharmacy monopolies in
even
the poorest of countries and blocking access to lifesaving medicines.
Will
you support trade policies that promote access to affordable medicines
including the importing and exporting of generic drugs to developing
countries?

4. 95% of the 42 million people with HIV around the world are too poor
to
buy the drugs that keep people with AIDS alive and healthy in richer
nations. The only program currently committing substantial money to
saving
dying people with AIDS is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and
Malaria.
Based on the Global Fund's conservative financial projections,
America's
fair share is at least $14 billion between 2004 and 2008. Contributions
to
the Global Fund leverage billions more from other rich counties. More
than
8500 people are dying needless deaths from AIDS each day. Full funding
for
comprehensive AIDS treatment in poor counties should be a priority of
your
campaign-now it's simply an afterthought. Will you support at least $30
billion by 2008 to fight to save the lives of people around the world
with
AIDS?

5. Access to essential medicines is becoming a litmus test for whether
or
not globalization will truly benefit the world's poor- particularly the
42
million people living with HIV, 95% of who have no access to medicines.
However, the US currently is involved in creating trade agreements
which
include intellectual property provisions which dramatically restrict
access
to quality generic medications for people with AIDS. The Doha
Declaration, a
WTO agreement that the US signed, states that public health should have
priority over private interest and profit. Will you support the Doha
Declaration and by keeping intellectual property provisions out of bi
and
multilateral agreements including the FTAA?

6. 42 million people are currently infected with HIV, 95% of which are
too
poor to pay for medications. To stand by and let millions feel sick
every
day and then die and leave children and the elderly without food when a
few
pennies from the treasury would solve this problem is an act of
barbarism
that will be remembered for a thousand years. The greatest single
ethical
crisis of the millennium is how rich countries like the United States
react
to this crisis.

George Bush wants to give back more than a trillion dollars in a tax
rebate.
A program to stop AIDS, Malaria and TB around the world would cost one
percent of this give-back program, one percent of what the government
says
is left over after all the bills are paid. President Bush continues to
be
obsessed with giving away this trillion dollars while the elderly in
Iowa
and Minnesota make a choice between their food bill and their heart
medicines and millions of Africans continue to suffer and die.

There can be no pride in an America that lets children die, and nations
fall, in order to save a few cents. Will you support trade policies at
the
WTO and in upcoming trade agreements that permit low income countries
to
gain access to low cost generic drugs and prioritize public health over
patent rights? – Even if it displease the US pharmaceutical industry?

7. 42 million people world wide are infected with HIV. HIV / AIDS
thrives
where human rights are denied; it attacks people already marginalized
by
poverty, gender inequality, racism and other forms of discrimination.
Along
with the burden of the disease, people living with HIV/AIDS too often
face
the misery of ostracism by their own societies. Children orphaned by
AIDS
face a future of exploitation and abuse. Will you support the United
Nation's HIV/ AIDS and Human Rights International Guidelines which
specifically says, States should enact legislation to provide for the
regulation of HIV-related goods, services and information, so as to
ensure
widespread availability of qualitative prevention measures and
services,
adequate HIV prevention and care information, and safe and effective
medication at an affordable price. Will you help support this
declaration
of human rights and promote access to affordable generics by keeping
intellectual property provisions out of bi and multi lateral trade
agreements including the FTAA?


AIDS and Security Questions

1. Secretary Powell has said that the AIDS crisis is a greater threat
to
American Security than terrorism. Fighting global AIDS and fighting for
a
more secure world are absolutely linked. Investing in the lives of
people
with AIDS in poor countries will help make the world safer, more
stable, and
can only improve the image of the US overseas. In the name of
compassion
and global security will you increase US spending on global AIDS to the
US
fair share of at least $30 billion between 2004 and 2008?