US the world's biggest provider of condoms for AIDS-hit nations: Powell

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Secretary of State Colin Powell said that United States is the world's biggest provider of condoms for poor countries hard-hit by AIDS, seeking to deflect criticism that US policies to combat the disease are overly focused on abstinence.

"We buy more condoms than any other government on the face of the earth or organization on the face of the earth. Under this administration, we have doubled, if not tripled, the purchase of condoms for use in undeveloped nations," Powell told PBS television.

The debate over abstinence versus condoms in HIV prevention programs "take us off course," Powell said.

The United States came under widespread criticism at the just-ended 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, despite being the largest world...