Bush Reiterates Commitment To Fighting HIV/AIDS, Other Diseases to Malian President Toure at White House Meeting
President Bush on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases, including malaria, in Africa during a meeting with Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure at the White House, AFP/Google.com reports. Bush said he "assured" Toure that the U.S. commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases "remains strong" (AFP/Google.com, 2/12). Bush also thanked Toure for "his hard work in helping [Malian] citizens deal with HIV/AIDS."
Toure thanked Bush for "historical initiatives," such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation; U.S. participation in fighting HIV/AIDS through the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and the President's Malaria Initiative (White House release, 2/12). Bush is scheduled to leave for a five-country tour of Africa on Friday, where he likely will highlight his request for an increase in funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and PMI. He also is expected to discuss a $698 million MCC grant to Tanzania, AFP/Google.com reports (AFP/Google.com, 2/12).