Much back-splapping credit for HIV/AIDS was given to George W. Bush. recently. But in his acceptance speech he never mentioned the fact that the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, founded the foundation to help aids, tuberculosis and malaria patients as he called for action against these diseases in 1999. He was also strongly against the attack, invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Dear Ones,
In 2001 this great peace keeper and recipent of the Nobel Peace award honestly earned, called for a global compact and fund, worl's largest financier to fight these diseases. This great statesman was so passionalte about this Global Fund that he donated his prize money as the receipient of the Liberty Medal–$100.000–followied by the Bill and Melinda Gates Founation donation of $100 milliion. Annan's goal was seven to 10 billion.
The Bush Adminsitration was sharply criticized for only pledging $200 million a year, until Congress and the president, who originally chose a limited amount, finally signed a document that made the people of United States the biggest contributor. Between Bush and Ratszinger (Pope Benedict XVI, aids help was postponed, especially when the pontif refused to permit the use of condoms for Catholics. His solution to the pandemic was an ethical one–"a spiritural awaking" and "frienship to those who suffer"–together with sexual abstinance to a world crisis!
Kori Annan's intense influence for human inherent rights also brought him the Non-Prolifertion Award, J. William Fulbright Prize and the Indra Ghandi Prize for International Understanding. He was disappointed the U.S. being the richest nation and not contributing to the cause of AIDs sooner that it did. Annan said America was spending huge amounts on terrorism and weapons of massive devestation but in the beginningof the call for aid's help, failed to fund the program, with the administration's fixation on war over oil control instead.
Often time in life's journey real heroes are overshadowed by those who take credit for the hard work of others. Annan was noted for his untiring work for global development, education, economic development, concern to help low income nations and women's rights.
Besides the dedicated work of the former secretary of the U.N., other determined groups came to gether in team work: The World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and thousands of protesters marching for the cause. Thanks to Annan the U.N. General Assembly in 1001 signed a Declarlation of Commitment for a Global Fund. Between 2000 and 2001 President Clinton signed a bill establishing the Global Fund to prevent and cure aids.
Mr. Annan's first name, Kofi, means "a boy born on Friday." On my visit to Kumasi, Ghana a tour quide told the Urban League and me this fact, which is very special.
This prestigious world leader also opposed genocide and war crime against Iraq that continues to cause severe world problems and polluted lands. He stood strong against ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity.
Mame,
www.macdonaldsward.com
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killed or handicapped as those who commit wars are out of harm's way
