Obama, Clinton pledge US support for AIDS fight

[babylonsister]

Obama, Clinton pledge US support for AIDS fight

By VERONIKA OLEKSYN (AP) – 7 hours ago


VIENNA — President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have pledged the support of the United States in the global fight against AIDS.

Speaking Friday via prerecorded video at the close of an international conference dedicated to the disease, the two said they were committed to building upon progress and taking the lead in ensuring a sustainable and effective response.

"Ending this pandemic won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight," Obama told delegates gathered in the Austrian capital. "But thanks to you, we've come a long way — and the United States is committed to continuing that progress."

Clinton said the United States believes access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care should be a universal and shared responsibility and said health was a human right.

"As we push to expand access to these resources, the United States will continue to work with our partner countries and with civil society to help empower citizens to lead the charge in their own countries," she said.

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