Collin Powell Re: International AIDS Funding

Below is excerpted from a memo regarding USAID funding targeting AIDS and trafficking issues.

Collin Powell Cable, sent to USAID contractors January 15, 2003

2. WHERE THERE ARE GENERALIZED EPIDEMICS, A FULLY BALANCED APPROACH TO THE ABC'S - ABSTINENCE, BEING FAITHFUL, AND CONDOMS - SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. EMPERICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS SUPPORT A STRONG EMPHASIS ON CAMPAIGNS THAT PROMOTE ABSTINENCE, FAITHFULNESS AND REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF PARTNERS. IN ADDITION, INCREASED ATTENTION TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS IS IMPORTANT. FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE ENGAGED IN USAID'S FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS. (NOTE: ON DECEMBER 12, THE PRESIDENT ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDERS 13279 AND 13280 TO ENHANCE THE PARTICIPATION OF FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN U.S.

3. POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS: WE NEED YOUR ATTENTION FOCUSSED ON IMPLEMENTING OUR HIV/AIDS PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH ADMINISTRATION AND AGENCY POLICIES. THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE AND THOSE PLANNED REQUIRE INTERVENTIONS THAT STEM THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDS AMONG HIGH RISK GROUPS SUCH AS PROSTITUTES AND INJECTING DRUG USERS. THESE ACTIVITIES AND RELATED COMMUNICATIONS MUST BE MANAGED SENSITIVELY. EXISTING USAID POLICY, SET FORTH IN THE AGENCY'S FY 2002 GUIDANCE ON THE DEFINITION AND USE OF THE CHILD SURVIVAL AND HEALTH PROGRAMS FUND, PROHIBITS THE USE OF RESOURCES TO SUPPORT NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, ORGANIZATIONS ADVOCATING PROSTITUTION AS AN EMPLOYMENT CHOICE OR WHICH ADVOCATE OR SUPPORT THE LEGALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION ARE NOT APPROPRIATE PARTNERS FOR USAID ANTI-TRAFFICKING GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, OR SUB-GRANTS AND SUB-CONTRACTS. (NOTE: USAID'S ANTI-TRAFFICKING STRATEGY WILL BE RELEASED DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY. END NOTE).

4. ALL OPERATING UNITS SHOULD ENSURE THAT USAID-FUNDED PROGRAMS AND PUBLICATIONS REFLECT APPROPRIATELY THE POLICIES OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. CAREFUL REVIEW OF ALL PROGRAMS AND PUBLICATIONS SHOULD ENSURE THAT USAID IS NOT PERCEIVED AS USING U.S. TAXPAYER FUNDS TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRADICT OUR LAWS OR POLICIES, INCLUDING TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN AND GIRLS, LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS, INJECTING DRUG USE, AND ABORTION.

5. WEBSITES: ALL OPERATING UNITS SHOULD REVIEW THEIR OWN WEBSITES AND ANY WEBSITES FULLY OR PARTIALLY FUNDED BY USAID TO ENSURE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE MATERIAL. (NOTE: ADS 557.5.3 REQUIRES THAT MATERIALS FINANCED BY THE AGENCY MUST BE REVIEWED BY LPA PRIOR TO POSTING ON THE WEB. END NOTE) YOU SHOULD ALSO REVIEW THE APPROPRIATNESS OF MESSAGES ON THE WEBSITES OF OUR COOPERATING PARTNERS WHICH RECEIVE SOME PORTION OF THEIR FUNDING FROM USAID.

6. MISSIONS ARE REQUESTED TO RESPOND TO THIS CABLE WITH CONFIRMATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY JANUARY 31, 2003.

POWELL
Carol Leigh (email) penet@bayswan.org