Mandela Calls for Extra Funds

Nelson Mandela yesterday called on European countries to put more money into fighting HIV/Aids to turn the tide of "the greatest health crisis in human history".

The former South African president made his appeal in Paris in the run-up to tomorrow's meeting of European donor nations, including Britain, which will discuss how much to give to the UN's Global Fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. President Bush has promised it $1bn in 2004, as long as it can raise twice as much again from elsewhere, but the matching donations are sluggish in appearing.

At the International Aids Society's annual scientific meeting in Paris, Mr Mandela gave the Global Fund his backing, announcing that his personal foundation will be campaigning to raise money for it, especially from big private companies.

His speech followed a review of Aids research from Anthony Fauci, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US and advised President Bush before his $15bn commitment to Aids treatment over five years in poor countries, made last January.

While we have treatments for the virus that can keep people alive, if not cure them, said Mr Mandela, "we have failed to translate our scientific progress into action where it is most needed, in the developing world. This is the global injustice which can't be tolerated. It is a travesty of human rights on a global scale."

He gave careful praise to President Bush, although he said he hoped that more of the US money would eventually be channelled through the Global Fund. The bulk of the $15bn is intended for bilateral programmes which activists fear may be tied to political and trade interests.

He praised three African countries - Uganda, Senegal and Botswana - for their efforts in fighting Aids.