Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MASERU334
2006-07-14 09:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
VISIT OF FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BILL AND MELINDA GATES
how-toVZCZCXRO8900 PP RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0334 1950942 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 140942Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2160 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHJO/AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG PRIORITY 0113 RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2448
UNCLAS MASERU 000334
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AIDAC
DEPT FOR AF/S - LINDA MUNCY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV OVIP PREL PGOV LT
SUBJECT: VISIT OF FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BILL AND MELINDA GATES
TO LESOTHO
UNCLAS MASERU 000334
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AIDAC
DEPT FOR AF/S - LINDA MUNCY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV OVIP PREL PGOV LT
SUBJECT: VISIT OF FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BILL AND MELINDA GATES
TO LESOTHO
1. On 12 July 2006, Former U.S. President William Jefferson
Clinton visited Mafeteng, Lesotho, in connection with his AIDS
foundation. The Embassy provided vehicle and security support
(as requested by USSS),assistance with motorcade and liaison
with the GOL. Mr. William Gates and Mrs. Melinda Gates,
representing their charitable foundation, accompanied Mr.
Clinton. They greeted the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers of
Foreign Affairs and Health and Social Welfare, Ambassador Perry,
health care officials, and patients. A brief press event was
held by the visitors with international and local press.
2. President George Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR),which was well underway in Lesotho before the Clinton
Foundation arrived, has played a major role in sensitizing the
leadership of Lesotho and coordinating the many American
organizations working in the HIV/AIDS arena. The Clinton visit
highlighted the increasing international interest in and example
set by Lesotho. This leadership is reflected in the "Know Your
Status" campaign, which aims to test all Basotho twelve years
and up for their HIV status before the end of 2007. Lesotho's
Know Your Status campaign is reported to be the first
nation-wide testing response to the HIV epidemic and may become
a model for other countries that face or may face the HIV
epidemic. Large scale human resources have to become available
to carry out this enormous task.
3. During the visit, the GOL reported that that Anti-Retroviral
Treatment (ART) adherence rate in Lesotho is eighty-nine
percent. ART adherence measures the number of patients who take
their medication in the right dosage on time more than eighty
percent of the time. For ARTs to be effective they must be
taken in accordance with prescription eighty percent of the
time. During a press Q and A, Mr. Clinton said these statistics
negate the theory that people in developing nations cannot and
will not take medication in accordance with prescriptions. He
said his foundation would help provide CD4 count machines.
(Note: The USG through CDC and DOD has contributed several in
country now.) To date, with adherence counselors and the
provision of child formula, 7,000 Basotho have received ARTs and
are living longer lives, according to a local phyisican. The
Clinton Foundation hopes to encourage the Gates Foundation to
become involved in Lesotho.
4. International press at the event were CNN, NBC, MTV, the New
York Times, The New Yorker, Fortune, the Financial Times, the
Guardian, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, The Washington Post,
The Star and Business Day. Mr. Clinton, Mr. Gates and Mrs.
Gates gave an extended interview to NBC. Local media present
included Lesotho Television.
5. Local police and security were helpful, provided escorts and
worked closely with Secret Service Agents Chris Sigalos, Karen
Gerstbrein and Jeff Golaszweski. Post would like to commend the
efficiency and flexibility of these agents. Post would also
like to thank Vice-Consul Elizabeth Schlachter, TDY from
Johannesburg, for her work covering consular services during the
visit and Embassy Pretoria for its supportive role.
PERRY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AIDAC
DEPT FOR AF/S - LINDA MUNCY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV OVIP PREL PGOV LT
SUBJECT: VISIT OF FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BILL AND MELINDA GATES
TO LESOTHO
1. On 12 July 2006, Former U.S. President William Jefferson
Clinton visited Mafeteng, Lesotho, in connection with his AIDS
foundation. The Embassy provided vehicle and security support
(as requested by USSS),assistance with motorcade and liaison
with the GOL. Mr. William Gates and Mrs. Melinda Gates,
representing their charitable foundation, accompanied Mr.
Clinton. They greeted the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers of
Foreign Affairs and Health and Social Welfare, Ambassador Perry,
health care officials, and patients. A brief press event was
held by the visitors with international and local press.
2. President George Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR),which was well underway in Lesotho before the Clinton
Foundation arrived, has played a major role in sensitizing the
leadership of Lesotho and coordinating the many American
organizations working in the HIV/AIDS arena. The Clinton visit
highlighted the increasing international interest in and example
set by Lesotho. This leadership is reflected in the "Know Your
Status" campaign, which aims to test all Basotho twelve years
and up for their HIV status before the end of 2007. Lesotho's
Know Your Status campaign is reported to be the first
nation-wide testing response to the HIV epidemic and may become
a model for other countries that face or may face the HIV
epidemic. Large scale human resources have to become available
to carry out this enormous task.
3. During the visit, the GOL reported that that Anti-Retroviral
Treatment (ART) adherence rate in Lesotho is eighty-nine
percent. ART adherence measures the number of patients who take
their medication in the right dosage on time more than eighty
percent of the time. For ARTs to be effective they must be
taken in accordance with prescription eighty percent of the
time. During a press Q and A, Mr. Clinton said these statistics
negate the theory that people in developing nations cannot and
will not take medication in accordance with prescriptions. He
said his foundation would help provide CD4 count machines.
(Note: The USG through CDC and DOD has contributed several in
country now.) To date, with adherence counselors and the
provision of child formula, 7,000 Basotho have received ARTs and
are living longer lives, according to a local phyisican. The
Clinton Foundation hopes to encourage the Gates Foundation to
become involved in Lesotho.
4. International press at the event were CNN, NBC, MTV, the New
York Times, The New Yorker, Fortune, the Financial Times, the
Guardian, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, The Washington Post,
The Star and Business Day. Mr. Clinton, Mr. Gates and Mrs.
Gates gave an extended interview to NBC. Local media present
included Lesotho Television.
5. Local police and security were helpful, provided escorts and
worked closely with Secret Service Agents Chris Sigalos, Karen
Gerstbrein and Jeff Golaszweski. Post would like to commend the
efficiency and flexibility of these agents. Post would also
like to thank Vice-Consul Elizabeth Schlachter, TDY from
Johannesburg, for her work covering consular services during the
visit and Embassy Pretoria for its supportive role.
PERRY