CHINA: U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CONTINUES VISIT, COMMENTS BALI BOMB ATTACKS / AIDS

Record ID: 552268

  • Title: CHINA: U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CONTINUES VISIT, COMMENTS BALI BOMB ATTACKS / AIDS
  • Date: 14th October 2002
  • Summary: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, CHINA (FILE) (REUTERS) MV/CU: VARIOUS OF NURSE WITH AIDS PATIENT (4 SHOTS) MV/CU: VARIOUS OF BLOOD DONATION AT LEGAL BLOOD BANK (5 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BEIJING, HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Health,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4IR5NG0O24RXTA9GXF6BY7UXF
  • Story Text: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has condemned a bomb attack that killed more than 180 people in Bali and urged all countries to work together to combat terrorism.
    Annan made the comments during a visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Jiang Zemin and called on China's leaders to step up their fight against AIDS or face an explosive epidemic.
    Chinese President Jiang Zemin met U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in Beijing on Monday (October 14) for talks expected to focus on the issue of Iraq, the fight against terrorism and AIDS.
    During the meeting with Jiang, Annan said Saturday's bombing in Bali illustrated the need for countries to work together to combat terrorism.
    At least 183 people were killed in the bomb blasts in Bali - the worst act of terrorism since September 11.
    Before a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (pron: Tang Jia-shoowan), Annan condemned the Bali blasts.
    "It is tragic, it is a brutal and inhuman act and my condolences and deepest sympathies for the families who lost loved ones and are now grieving for them. And of course to those in hospital I wish a speedy recovery. But I think this act underscores the importance of the international community coming together to fight terrorism, it underscores the importance the work the Security Council is doing and it is important that all of us, all countries, come together to share information, to decide not to support terrorists, not to give them financial support, not to give them safety, not to give them comfort and if we do that we will deny them their opportunities," Annan said.
    Annan had arrived in China on Sunday (October 13), for a four day visit there as part of a 10-day tour of Eastern and Central Asia.
    At Zhejiang (pron: djur djiang) University on Monday, Annan received an honorary degree, before delivering a speech in which he urged China's leaders to act to halt the spread of AIDS.
    "For the truth is that today China stands on the brink of an explosive AIDS epidemic. Over the past few years the HIV virus has spread to more and more parts of this country. The epidemic has become a moving target and it is at risk of turning out of control," he said.
    According to the latest United Nations estimates, between 800,000 and 1.5 million Chinese were infected with HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS -- at the end of 2001 and about 30,000 have so far died from the disease.
    But the number could soar to 10 million by the end of the decade if there is no effective action, U.N. officials say.
    Throughout the world, some 60 million people have been infected since AIDS first surfaced about two decades ago.
    While most HIV infections in China can be traced to unsafe procedures for paid blood collections or the sharing of tainted needles by intravenous drug abusers, sexually transmitted cases are on the rise, Annan said.
    He called on the Chinese leadership at all levels to overcome the silence and stigma associated with the disease and "spread the message that AIDS is a problem with a solution".
    China's response to the threat will determine not only the size of the epidemic but the extent of the destruction it brings, he said, referring to the loss of young, productive workers, the creation of AIDS orphans and the spiralling costs of providing social services and treatment.
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