Bush pledges global war on Aids

President George Bush said he was determined to lead the global fight against the Aids epidemic and would use his state visit to enlist further support from Britain.

He said there was "unbelievable devastation besides terror going on in the world" and that he would talk to his "good friend" Tony Blair to agree on how best to combat the scourge.

He said: "I look forward to reminding the British people that our country proudly is leading the world when it comes to the battle (against) Aids.

"I put forth an initiative of 15 billion dollars, 10 billion dollars new money on top of five billion dollars we're already spending over a five year period of time, to help get anti-retroviral drugs into the hands of the healers and helpers that are in these ravished countries."

He said: "We are living in a world ... in which the pandemic of Aids is wiping out an entire generation on a continent.

"And we must do something about it. And it's sad, and, yet, we have an opportunity to lead."

The President went on: "I look forward to talking to my good friend (Tony Blair) about how we can work together.

"And it's not only the United States working with Britain, it's the United States working with Europe, whole, free and at peace."

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