Pacific leaders agree to tackle HIV/AIDS

[doomgirl]

Pacific nation leaders meeting in Samoa have adopted a strategy to try to combat HIV/AIDS in the region.

They have directed the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat to develop a plan to implement it.

Endorsing the Regional AIDS Strategy, the leaders noted the need to address this "most urgent issue" vigorously.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark said the leaders agreed they were the ones who needed to show leadership in their own countries in combating the AIDS threat.

"AIDS right now is a disease we cannot cure and the cost of the advanced AIDS drugs is really beyond the capability of small developing countries to meet," she said.

"The main emphasis has to go on sex education. How that is approached will differ from country to country."

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard also announced Australia would contribute $4 million to a Trust Fund for Niue, the tiny island country hit by a cyclone earlier this year.

Mr Howard has committed Australia to a multi-million dollar support program.

The money will fund a number of projects, including improvements to maritime and aviation security.

Mr Howard says there is real enthusiasm for better governance amongst the Pacific Leaders.

"Oh, I think they're very keen. I think the lesson of the Solomons, the lesson from the PNG arrangement, the lesson of other countries is that governance is very much at the heart of the future of the Pacific," he said.

"We hold that view very strongly and we have once again been willing to back our rhetoric with a solid investment of another $6 million Australian dollars."

Source

[wunarmdscissor]

why they needed to AGREE is beyond me???

[doomgirl]

I know, it is something that needs to be fixed and they spend more time sitting around then they do actually doing anything

[AztecInca]

At least its a step in the right direction, but I believe that australia could easily pledge way more money to this cause. Well its something any way, something is better than nothing and this is a problem we must tackle head on!!!

[doomgirl]

Yeah they could give more money if they stopped giving money to defence

[AztecInca]

Exactly Doomgirl, I mean I know we are in Iraq and are fighting the war on terror around the war as well as helping papua new guinea and the solomons. Of course thats going to cost a lot but we still seem to be spending more than we need. No one is attacking us or building up their force to attack us. Its only the terrorists that pose in threat!!!

Anyway we have a lot of money that we spend on things that could have their budgets cut back, saving peopleand helping those coping with this disease should be a major priority for not only us but the entire world and I think we are heading in the right direction although very slowly!

[doomgirl]

I think Australia needs to worry more about looking after it's own ppl and the smaller islands around us, including Asia, and less about what American is doing.

It's like a case of keeping up with the Jones

[Subtemperate]

I agree with Doomy ..... No point in continually having suffering here and solving someone elses.....

[AztecInca]

Exactly once again I agree with you doomgirl and you to subtemperate!!! We need to be concentrating on not only our country but the nearby island nations and asia!!! Asia is by far the best opportunity for economic, cultural and political advances for australia.

But staying allies with america cant hurt too much as long as we learn to say no to them occasionally, they are handy to have around!!!