of capitalist and imperialist control of resources, which make the removal of global inequalities and eradication of HIV impossible. In a recent Guardian article, Saskia Sassen, Get the Viewpoint!
CAPE=AL
The focus on developing services for
HIV/AIDS victims based on high
value drugs is diverting from the
need for much cheaper preventative
measures, which can cut off the
route by which the disease is still
spreading throughout much of
A 2001 study of UN data found
that provision of condoms, the most
cost-effective means of prevention,
had barely increased during the pre
vious five years, and was only around
a quarter of the level required to
match the highest provisions in
African countries, giving a "condom
gap" of 1.9 billion.
The additional condoms required
to meet projected needs could be
produced for only an extra $48 mil
lion.
for which the global north firms have developed medicines." The exception was drugs
for treating HIV/AIDS. Sassen highlights the
importance of worldwide NGO mobilisation in this victory
However, the US is now responding by
attacking NGOs, with the US Agency for
International Development granting more
contracts to private firms instead of NGOs.
On Bush's strategy Sassen has sobering
words,
"At the top of the list for horsetrading in Africa are oil and military bases...In return,
Bush is offering aid for AIDS victims and
enhanced access to US markets."
In the meantime, our own government
has been considering mandatory HIV tests
for asylum seekers on entry to Britain. Monthly review of news and analysis from the Fourth * 10 issues by airmail for only £30 from International Viewpoint, PO Box 112, Manchester MI2 5DW. THE NEXT issue will be a special, focusing on the European Social Forum in Paris in November. JULY'S - still available - was a special double issue with documents from 15th World Congress of the Fourth International (send €5 plus £1.00 p&p)
page 20 of the scan
International resistance 20 soclalist resistance Ctober 2003