    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 12, 2003]
    [Pages 868-869]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 868]]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 12, 2003

        Good morning. I've spent this week visiting Africa, a continent of
    great challenge and promise. Throughout this journey and in meetings
    with leaders of more than 10 countries, I have reaffirmed America's
    strong commitment to a more peaceful and prosperous future for all the
    peoples of Africa.
        America supports democratic and economic reforms in Africa because
    we know the power of freedom to lift whole nations and bring new
    opportunities to millions. And in a time of growing commerce across the
    globe, we are working to ensure that the nations of Africa are full
    partners in the trade and prosperity of the world.
        Progress in Africa depends on peace and stability, so America is
    standing with friends and allies to help end regional wars. And against
    the murderous ambitions of terrorists, the United States and African
    countries are working in common purpose. We will not permit terrorists
    to threaten African peoples or to use Africa as a base to threaten the
    world.
        The United States is also committed to helping African peoples
    overcome one of the gravest dangers they have ever faced, the spread of
    HIV/AIDS. And the need is urgent. Across the continent today, nearly 30
    million people are living with HIV/AIDS, including 3 million children
    under the age of 15. In Botswana alone, where I visited on Thursday,
    nearly 40 percent of the adult population has HIV.
        People in Africa are waging a courageous fight against this disease.
    In another nation on my trip, Uganda, urban and rural clinics are
    providing vital medical care, counseling, sound and honest information
    on AIDS prevention. Thanks to caring people and wise government
    policies, Uganda has dramatically reduced its infection rate. More
    Ugandan children are growing up with mothers and fathers, and Uganda is
    reclaiming its future.
        The tremendous progress in Uganda is showing that AIDS can be
    defeated across Africa. Yet current efforts to oppose the disease are
    simply not equal to the need. More than 4 million people require
    immediate drug treatment, but just 1 percent of them are receiving the
    medicine they require. Africa has the will to fight AIDS, but it needs
    the resources as well.
        Over the next 5 years, the United States Congress has authorized $15
    billion to fight AIDS around the world, with a special focus on 14
    nations in Africa and the Caribbean. Working with governments and
    private groups and faith-based organizations, we will build on the
    progress in Uganda by establishing a comprehensive system to prevent,
    diagnose, and treat AIDS.
        We will support abstinence-based education for young people and
    provide comprehensive services to prevent millions of new infections. We
    will provide HIV testing and purchase antiretroviral medications and
    other drugs that are needed to extend lives. We will help establish
    broad and efficient networks to deliver drugs. We will help build,
    renovate, and equip clinics and laboratories. We'll prepare doctors,
    nurses, and other health care professionals to treat AIDS more
    effectively. And the resources America provides will also help to hire
    and train childcare workers to look after orphans and provide care at
    home to many AIDS patients.
        This week, a committee of the House of Representatives took an
    important step to fund the first year of this effort. I ask the Senate
    to move quickly as well. And I urge the entire Congress to fully fund my
    request for the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief so that America can help
    turn the tide against AIDS in Africa.

    [[Page 869]]

        All of our actions in Africa--from fighting AIDS to promoting
    security and prosperity across the continent--represent the ideals that
    have always guided America in the world. The United States is committed
    to the success of Africa, because the peoples of Africa deserve to live
    in freedom and dignity and to share in the progress of our times.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at approximately 8:15 a.m., local time,
    on July 11 at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel and Towers in Pretoria, South
    Africa, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m., e.d.t., on July 12. The transcript
    was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 11 but
    was embargoed for release until the broadcast. Due to the 6-hour time
    difference, the radio address was broadcast after completion of all
    other Presidential activities for July 12. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.