(Washington, DC) - Secretary of State Colin Powell embarks on his first African tour next week to the countries of Mali, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa to see firsthand the devastation wrought by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

However, the Global AIDS Alliance, a coalition of AIDS, debt cancellation, fair trade, religious, and Africa advocacy organizations questioned whether this trip will demonstrate a real commitment to end the AIDS crisis.

"We are pleased to see the Secretary of State traveling to Africa, and we hope the trip becomes an opportunity for him to hear from a broad range of voices about the AIDS catastrophe as well as the debt burden," commented Dr. Paul Zeitz, co-director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "We are concerned, however, that he seems to bring little with him in terms of any new flexibility in US policy on access to AIDS treatment, on deepening debt cancellation, or in terms of significant increases in US financial assistance to the AIDS fight."

Powell is expected to highlight the Bush Administration's recent announcement of a $200 million contribution to the UN-proposed Global Health Fund as a major step forward. Yet, well-supported estimates put the cost of battling AIDS in Africa at least $10 billion a year. A US contribution proportionate to its economic strength (29 percent of the world economy) would be $3 billion.

"The $200 million contribution is like putting a band-aid on cancer." Global AIDS Alliance Co-Director Chatinkha Nkhoma, commented from Malawi.

"The Bush Administration's decision to give such a small amount has already threatened the life of the fund," stated Asia Russell of the Health GAP Coalition. "The US s contribution amounts to only about $3.50 per person for AIDS treatment. It s not enough to save lives. Powell is coming to Africa empty handed." she stated.

Debt payments are still sabotaging the efforts of many African governments to tackle AIDS. Even with the HIPC debt reduction program, debt payments are only being reduced by just over one quarter. After the HIPC initiative, most countries will still be spending more on debt than on health, education, and the HIV/AIDS response. Despite HIPC, Uganda is still paying $74 million in annual debt service, Mali will pay $65 million and Kenya, not eligible for HIPC, will pay $700 million.

"In fighting the AIDS pandemic, the first step must be to drop the crushing debt of African countries dealing with this devastating disease, " stated Rev. Tim Atwater, Interim National Coordinator of Jubilee USA Network. "We hope Secretary Powell takes the time to speak with grassroots AIDS and debt campaigners. If he does, people will tell him to drop the debt, drop user fees, drop the cultural arrogance of World Bank and IMF structural adjustment policies."

With less than 1% of HIV-infected Africans having access to life-extending anti-retroviral medications, urgent efforts are needed to increase access to all HIV-related medication and commodities through lowest-cost bulk procurement and distribution.

"There is not only a need for a major increase in funding to stop AIDS -- in fact, the limits the US may seek to place on funds could become as important an issue as the funding itself," the Executive Director of the Washington Office on Africa, Rev. Leon Spencer, commented. "US funds need to embrace treatment, for both AIDS and opportunistic infections. The US should not seek to exclude any sources that are in accord with world intellectual property rights provisions that permit compulsory licensing and parallel imports."

As representatives of broad-based, civil society organizations, we urge Secretary Powell to support: provision of billions of dollars in grant resources for the Global Health Fund and to fund national AIDS plans using US influence and voting power to require the IMF and the World Bank to use their own resources to implement complete debt cancellation in countries affected by HIV/AIDS rapid access to lifesaving medications, including generically manufactured drugs, at the lowest cost.

We also call on Powell to meet with leading local AIDS and debt activists in each country he visits.

Jubilee Debt Cancellation contacts in Africa:

Kenya: Contact: Prof Wangari Maathai, Co-ordinator, Kenya Interfaith Debt Campaign, c/o Greenbelt Movement, Tel: 00254 2 571 523; Margaret W. Githendu , The Secretary Jubilee 2000 Nairobi Chapter Tel 002542 47332/440668

Mali: Contact: Sekou Diarra, Mali National Jubilee 2000 Coalition Tel.: (223) 21 59 49; Sada Diara, Coalition National Jubile 3000 Du Mali Tel: 00-223-23 18 78

Uganda: Contact: Zie Gariyo, Uganda Debt Network Tel; 256-41-543974

South Africa Contact: Teboho Klaas, National Co-ordinator, Jubilee 2000 South Africa Campaign Tel: 27 11 403 7624, Cell. 082 956 4845; Neville Gabriel, Jubilee 2000 South Africa Tel. +27 (0)33 330 8162 Cell. +27 (0)83 449 3934

Contact: Paul Zeitz, Global AIDS Alliance, 267-254-5857 mobile phone; Mara Vanderslice, Jubilee USA Network, 202-783-0129; Katie Krauss, Health GAP Coalition, 215-985-4448 x 168

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