Secretary of State Colin Powell Addresses Foreign Diplomats, Urges Importance of Political Leadership in Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday asked ambassadors and other foreign diplomats to "stress to their governments the importance" of political leadership in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, the AP/Washington Post reports. Addressing representatives of 86 nations, Powell said, "Each of us here today has the power to act. The positions we hold in our governments give our voices resonance at home and abroad. We can and must use our voices to convince others of the urgency and gravity of this global problem" (AP/Washington Post, 12/4). Powell asked the diplomats to work toward "forg[ing] partnerships" between governments, private interests and faith-based organizations to "wide[n] the circle of those who receive preventive education, medical treatment and compassionate care." Powell concluded, "As men and women all around the globe mark World AIDS Day with renewed pledges of commitment, may we in the diplomatic community strengthen our resolve to replace ignorance with information, shame with support, and helplessness with hope" (State Department release, 12/3).
A kaisernetwork.org HealthCast of Powell's remarks is available online.