Leaders Shun Aids Summit

[george]

Leaders shun Aids summit

BANGKOK: -- The first summit meeting of national leaders on HIV/Aids in Bangkok next week has been called off because none of the invited leaders planned to show up, a Thai official said on Monday.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced in May that he would join the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Nigeria, Russia and Uganda and UN secretary-general Kofi Annan for the meeting at the world's largest Aids conference that starts here this Sunday.

But only Thaksin and Annan will now meet people living with Aids on the opening day of the six-day conference, foreign ministry spokesperson Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

"The other leaders were not comfortable with travelling here at this time," he said.

Nimit Thien-udom, secretary-general of Thailand's Aids Access Foundation which works with these patients, said the meeting would have been a good opportunity to highlight the need for treatment for people with HIV/Aids.

"It is pity. The leaders' meeting might have helped us to solve the Aids problem more quickly," he said.

Organisers expect up to 20 000 delegates for the 15th International Aids Conference from July 11 to 16 which has the theme of "Access for All".

The $15m conference brings together politicians, activists, scientists and people living with HIV/Aids.

--Agencies 2004-07-05

[12call]

What,AIDS in Thailand??? Surely Not !!!

[PvtDick]

What,AIDS in Thailand??? Surely Not !!!

What's that supposed to mean? If morons like Bernard Trink don't recognize the AIDS problem in Thailand, the Thai government has certainly been one of the better ones in the world in terms of acknowledging and confronting it.

[johng]

What,AIDS in Thailand??? Surely Not !!!

What's that supposed to mean?

It means... surely there is no AIDS in Thailand just like there is no bird flu or ilegal drugs (Humour)

[dr_Pat_Pong]

What,AIDS in Thailand??? Surely Not !!!

What's that supposed to mean?

It means... surely there is no AIDS in Thailand just like there is no bird flu or ilegal drugs (Humour)

I like it John. And the Elite card is selling well too.

[NedKelly]

......and there is justice for all !!

[astral]

It is a disgarce that national leaders can show such lack of compassion and continue to ignore a major worldwide epedemic.

Top marks for Thaksin and Annan for being there!!