An excerpt from a related story in the Washington Post:

“Obama is asking former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to coordinate efforts to involve more Americans in the recovery and rebuilding effort that’s needed in Haiti.”

Click the link below for a clip of Perino’s remarks

-Chris Scott

The article offers many different perspectives and opinions, including those in Africa who have been directly impacted by programs such as PEPFAR, to those who feel the focus on HIV/AIDS has distracted too much attention from other diseases.

Excerpts below, full piece here

Like countless Africans, [Sweetness] Mzolisa looks forward to Barack Obama becoming America’s first black president Jan 20. But — like countless Africans — Mzolisa says she will always be grateful to Bush for his war on AIDS, which has helped to treat more than 2 million Africans, support 10 million more, and revitalize the global fight against the disease.

“It has done a lot for the people of South Africa, for the whole of the African continent,” says Mzolisa, a feisty mother of seven. “It has changed so many people’s lives, saved so many people’s lives.”

Some critics, like rockers-turned-advocates Bono and Bob Geldof, have become admirers.

“The Bush regime has been divisive … created bitterness — but not here in Africa. Here, his administration has saved millions of lives,” Geldof wrote in Time Magazine as he accompanied Bush on an Africa trip last February.

“The administration and Bush himself deserve a lot more credit than they received for getting this job done,” says Josh Ruxin, assistant professor of public health at Columbia University.

-Chris Scott

According to the Gallup poll, “Americans are more positive than negative about the fight against AIDS, with 38% saying the country has made progress over the last eight years and 19% saying it has lost ground.” More than any other issue polled, Americans believe President Bush has gained the most ground in fighting HIV/AIDS.

You can check out the full results here.

-Chris Scott

Excerpts below, full article here

Bush’s interest in AIDS as a critical global problem was evident from the very beginning of his presidency. In March 2001 he established a cabinet-level council chaired by his top foreign-policy and health aides, Colin Powell and Tommy Thompson. On May 11, he gathered in the Rose Garden with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to announce a maiden contribution of $200 million (subsequently increased to $500 million) to a new international AIDS fund now known as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. This represented a 30-percent increase over Bill Clinton’s final budget in total foreign spending on the disease (on top of the $13 billion being spent annually on the domestic crisis).

Although by autumn the President would be consumed with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan, his interest in the AIDS issue never wavered. In early 2002, he told Josh Bolten, his deputy chief of staff for policy, that he wanted to do more.

-Chris Scott

This renewed pressure on Mugabe comes as evidence of the deteriorating situation inside Zimbabwe emerges– the country’s collapsed water and sanitation infrastructure has led to a cholera outbreak, which has already claimed the lives of nearly 600 and the World Health Organization warns might infect up to 6,000 in a worst-case scenario.> A lack of doctors, equipment and treatment (oral rehydration salts which cost as little as 50 cents per dose) means the fatality rate is much higher than usual. Aid agencies are estimating that cholera patients in Zimbabwe are ten times more likely to die than patients living elsewhere.

The outbreak is the latest update to a long list of evidence on how failed governance and gross economic mismanagement have destroyed what was once one of Africa’s most promising countries. In the years after independence, Zimbabwe was hailed as a regional breadbasket and boasted one of Africa’s highest literacy rates. Today, on top of skyrocketing inflation and an ongoing political crisis, Zimbabweans face acute food shortages and an education system in shambles: the World Food Program anticipates that half of Zimbabwe’s population (over 5 million people) will be in need of emergency food aid in January and as of October, students in Zimbabwe had only been in the classroom for a total of 23 uninterrupted days.

The question now is whether global outcry over the cholera epidemic is just the latest in a series of grievances against the Mugabe regime or the tipping point needed to inject new momentum towards a real and lasting solution. Importantly, increased pressure from Western governments has been echoed by some key African leaders- last week, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga called for Mugabe’s removal and in November, the leader of South Africa’s African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, indicated a tougher stance towards the Zimbabwean government, saying the situation had moved beyond “wait and see”, and that “We have got to act and act now.” The fact that the epidemic is spilling over into neighboring countries could mean voices like these might become stronger in the days ahead.

These African voices are vital in moving toward a lasting solution for Zimbabwe. Although emergency aid could help ease the cholera epidemic and fill food shortages, Zimbabwe’s current plight is the product of a long-term socioeconomic demise that only the establishment of a functioning and inclusive government can resolve (as noted by the Elders last week after their visit to the region). Ultimately, such a solution will depend on Zimbabwe’s neighbors. Mugabe has weathered sanctions and pressure from the West for years. Now, as his country tips towards a breaking point, the onus is on African leaders to turn rhetoric into action and renew efforts towards ending the crisis. The rest of the world should be poised and ready so that once this happens, Zimbabwe has the support it needs to stand a real chance at winning back some of the development gains it lost after 28 years of Mugabe’s rule.

-Nora Coghlan

Statement from President Bush:

As my Administration has made clear, it is time for Robert Mugabe to go. Across the continent, African voices are bravely speaking out to say now is the time for him to step down. These leaders share the desire of ordinary Zimbabweans for a return to peace, democracy and prosperity. We urge others from the region to step up and join the growing chorus of voices calling for an end to Mugabe’s tyranny.

-Chris Scott

This morning I was lucky enough to get to go to the Saddleback Civil Forum here in DC on behalf of ONE. I only found out about this event late Sunday, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I am very glad I got to go, because today was a great day in the fight against AIDS around the globe.

The event was hosted by Pastor Rick Warren (you may know him as the man who wrote A Purpose Driven Life) and was in honor of all that President Bush has done over the course of his Administration to advance the fight against HIV/AIDS. President Bush received the first ever “International Medal of PEACE” from the Global PEACE Coalition for his unprecedented contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases. As Pastor Warren, Ban Ki-moon, Tony Blair, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton all said today (in person or in video messages sent from around the world), President Bush has done more than any world leader on these issues, ever.

President Bush was quick to point out that the credit goes to the people who also have a heart for this work and inspired this program, among them Condoleezza Rice and Mike Gerson. The President also credited the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to make sure PEPFAR is run well and ensure the program’s success, among them PEPFAR’s Coordinator, Mark Dybul. President Bush asked Mark Dybul to stand and be recognized at the event, and I don’t think Dybul would’ve done so if anyone but the President asked; he’s clearly happier being the man behind the scenes who makes sure everything is running right.

PEPFAR is a huge program, and a huge success. There is certainly much credit to go around, and much work left to do. Today, on the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, it’s important to celebrate the progress we’ve made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to recommit ourselves to the challenges that still lie before us. President-elect Obama sent a video message echoing his own commitments to fight HIV/AIDS, which he often repeated on the campaign trail. In an event honoring what’s been accomplished in the current president’s Administration, it was a great end to the Saddleback Civil Forum to look to the future and see the next president pledging to continue this great program and America’s lifesaving work.

-Kimberly Cadena

President Bush will deliver remarks today at 10:05 am EST commemorating World AIDS Day. We will post the webcast and transcript shortly, if they are made available.

Shortly after delivering his remarks, Mr. Bush will be joined by Mrs. Bush and President-elect Obama (via taped remarks) at the 2008 Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health at 10:30 am EST. Pastor Rick Warren is expected to recognize President Bush for his work around PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). You can watch a live webcast of the event here.

Also in commemoration of World AIDS Day, Ambassador Mark R. Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator of the Office of National AIDS Policy will be hosting an “Ask the White House” online forum at 2 PM EST fielding questions from readers about World AIDS Day. Click here to submit your questions now.

We’ll keep you posted throughout the day with any other developments.

-Chris Scott

1. Developing Country Representation: The G20 calls for better representation of developing countries – both emerging economies and poor countries – in the Bretton Woods Institutions like the IMF and World Bank, in order to accurately reflect the world economy and increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of these institutions. The G20 calls for these reformed institutions to play a role in identifying future crises and responding to them.
2. Trade: The G20 rejects the impulse to turn to protectionist measures to stabilize their economies and promises to refrain from raising new barriers to trade or investment in the next 12 months. The G20 also calls for a successful completion to the World Trade Organization’s Doha Round trade talks.
3. Official Development Assistance (ODA): Considering the impact of the financial crisis on developing countries, and particularly on the most vulnerable in those countries, the G20 countries reaffirm the importance of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their development assistance commitments. They urge all countries to undertake commitments consistent with their capacities, and re-iterate the principles agreed upon at the UN Conference on Financing for Development that took place in Monterrey in 2002 that emphasize country ownership of and mobilizing all sources of financing for development.
4. Anti-Corruption: The G20 supports the efforts of the Financial Action Task Force that works to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. In addition, the G20 commends the work of the World Bank which is fighting corruption, drug-related activity, illegal arms trading and other illegal activities, and is repatriating stolen funds to developing countries, through the UN Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR).
5. Follow-up: The G20 Finance Ministers are required to follow up by March 31st, 2009; the G20 will meet again in April of 2009 in London. In preparation for this meeting, Finance Ministers will develop additional principles and recommendations to stem the global financial crisis. One of their tasks is to explore the mandates, governance, and resource requirements of the International Financial Institutions like the IMF and the World Bank. In addition, the G20 commits to the following concerning the reform of International Financial Institutions:

   • By March 31st 2009: The G20 will review the adequacy of the resources of the IMF, World Bank, and other multi-lateral development banks and be ready to increase resources if necessary. The IMF will also draw lessons from the current crisis and work with the Financial Stability Forum (another global body made up of central banks and ministries of finance) to integrate regulatory and supervisory measures into policy. The International Financial Institutions will review and adapt their lending mechanisms to meet the needs of their members in light of the current financial crisis, and explore ways to restore credit to emerging and developing countries in pursuit of sustainable growth and development, with a particular focus on investing in infrastructure.

   • The issue of reforming the Bretton Woods Institutions to give greater voice and representation to developing countries is listed as a medium-term priority for the G20.

Moving towards greater representation for developing countries in Bretton Woods Institutions like the World Bank and the IMF, and ensuring access to credit for developing countries, will help the developing world mitigate the effects of the financial crisis and prevent future crises. The G20 statement reaffirmed the importance of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and development assistance; however, it did not go so far as to re-pledge to meet their respective aid commitments. In addition, the elimination of existing barriers to trade remains unaddressed.

As we’ve previously mentioned, this summit was a pre-cursor to the Financing for Development forum, which is a follow-up to the Monterrey meetings in 2002, that will take place in Doha at the end of the month. Stay tuned for more information.

ONE released a press statement about the outcomes from the G20 which you can check out for additional information.

-Beth Adler