Annan urges US to fight Aids

From The BBC

Notice how the headline is framed? It implies that the US is "not" fighting aids. In fact, the article quotes Annan saying as much.

Mr Annan who is attending the International Aids Conference in Bangkok, said the US was spending huge amounts to tackle terrorism and weapons of mass destruction but had failed to deliver on its promises to combat the spread of Aids.

Well if you don't defend yourself from terrorists attacks you won't be in any position to help anyone.

Annan goes on to say "he believed Mr Bush was concerned about the impact of Aids, but said it was now time to step forward and commit resources to that fight".

Sorry, Annan but you do not know what the hell you are talking about. Perhaps he is unaware of the US contribution to the war on aids.

U.S. international contributions to the global AIDS emergency continues to be greater than those of all other donor governments combined

Assuming level funding by other donors, U.S. international contributions in 2004 will be approximately twice those of all other donor governments combined

The U.S. remains the largest donor to the Global Fund and has pledged a total of $1.97 billion from its inception through 2008

This is all part of the BBC's new "bias by omission" policy.

Annan goes on to question Bush's leadership.

"We really do need leadership. America has a natural leadership capacity because of its resources, because of its size," he said.

Based on what the US is giving to the world aids fight, I'd say Bush is providing outstanding leadership. By not acknowledging that fact, Annan is showing poor leadership.

And so are some African leaders.

HLABISA, SOUTH AFRICA - President Mbeki denies crisis even exists.

I'm all for fighting aids and many other disease all over the world but I'm against putting billions into a "global fund" controlled by someone else especially in light of the ongoing UN sponsored oil-for-food scandal.

For Mr. Annan, shut up! You have no business attacking the worlds biggest contributor to the fight against aids especially since your oil-for-food scandal caused the death of so many Iraqis.

For the BBC, do your damn job and report "all of the facts".

UPDATE: From The very same BBC.

HIV funds failing to reach target

Some poor countries do not have the infrastructure to be able to put money donated to fight HIV to good use, experts have said.

Right. Now, about more money, how does that go again Mr. Annan?
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