Fight against HIV/AIDS to be taken further as a result of Clinton visit to St. Lucia |
Contact: John Emmanuel Monday, January 20, 2003 - The fight towards combating HIV/AIDS in the region through the development of nationwide education, care and prevention networks could be taken one step further through the intervention of forty second president of the United States, William Bill Clinton. That announcement came on the weekend as the Mr. Clinton addressed over two hundred public and private sector leaders at a gala function at the Sandals Grande Resort and Spa on January 18th 2003. He told the gathering, that via the William Jefferson Foundation, the Bahamas had benefited from an 80% reduction in the price of drugs used to treat AIDS victims and that possible similar benefits could come for the Eastern Caribbean. “We have put together a sweeping effort and have also agreed to work with three African countries and we have been making progress. I have a lot of people here with me tonight who have been meeting and will be working in the Eastern Caribbean over the next several months beginning on Monday, January 20th, 2003 to try to bring the work of this AIDS effort home to all of you in these islands,” said the former U.S. President. Mr. Clinton underscored the need for continued efforts at interdependence between the Caribbean and the US in achieving common goals and in fighting terrorism. Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony who also addressed the gathering said St. Lucia had much to gain from Mr. Clinton’s visit. According to him, “it is our expectation that with the continuing considerable influence that you Mr. President exert on the world stage, your presence here will exercise that magnetic pull and help St. Lucia to become a centre of gravity for others.” As part of his one day visit to St. Lucia the former US President paid an impromptu visit to the Castries Market where he interacted with vendors and onlookers. |
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