ITALIAN HEALTH MINISTER POSITIVE ON PRESIDENT'S

UNCLAS ROME 000770

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV EAID PREL IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN HEALTH MINISTER POSITIVE ON PRESIDENT'S
EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF

REF: SECSTATE 38300


1. IN RESPONSE TO REFTEL DEMARCHE TO SENIOR OFFICIALS OF
THE ITALIAN MOH, MINISTER OF HEALTH GIROLAMO SIRCHIA WROTE TO
EMBASSY SCIENCE COUNSELOR ON FEBRUARY 25, REGARDING THE
PRESIDENT'S EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF.


2. BEGIN TEXT (INFORMAL TRANSLATION):

I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE RECENT INFORMATION REGARDING THE
INITIATIVE APPROVED RECENTLY BY THE U.S. CONGRESS, REGARDING
PRESIDENT BUSH'S NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FIGHTING AIDS. I
ALSO NOTED WITH GREAT PLEASURE THE FINANCING ENTITY FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN, WHICH WILL BE ADDED TO THE
FUNDING OF THE GLOBAL FUND, AN INITIATIVE IN WHICH OUR
COUNTRY IS STRONGLY INVOLVED AT THE SIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR CONVEYING TO THE MOST SENIOR
OFFICIALS OF YOUR GOVERNMENT MY DEEPEST COMPLIMENTS FOR THIS
NEW DECISION THAT MAKES CLEAR THE COMMITMENT TO FACE THIS
GLOBAL PLAGUE WITH THE GREATEST SERIOUSNESS AND DETERMINATION.

(SIGNED)
PROF. GIROLAMO SIRCHIA
MINISTER OF HEATLH
SEMBLER

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2004ROME00770 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED