Opening statement

XIII internation, AIDS conference durban, south Africa 9th July, 2000

Resumo

Mr President, His Majesty King Zwelithini, Professor Coovadia, Nkosi, friends... good evening. We have come to Durban to break the silence - To break the silence, stigma, indifference and ignorance surrounding the Aids epidemie. At the outset, I pay tribute to those who marcbed this afternoon, to break the silence around treatment and care for people living with HIV. I have attended all International Aids Conferences since 1985. BuL this one feels different to me. Because this is the First international conference in the south - in Africa. Finally. Today, there is new hope - we are seeing an unprecedented increase in political commitment and resources to fight the epidemie. And 1 wholeheartedly applaud President Mbeki's, powerful voice here tonight. [...]