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Obama Criticizes South Africa's AIDS Policy

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Aug 21, 2006 11:28 am US/Central

Obama Criticizes South Africa's AIDS Policy

U.S. Senator Says Government Underestimating Extent Of Problem

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) ― U.S. Sen. Barack H. Obama Jr. (D-Ill.) is adding his voice to the chorus of international criticism of South Africa's AIDS policies.

During an appearance in South Africa today, Obama said the government is underestimating the extent of the problem and needs to do more to prevent and treat the disease.

Obama met with AIDS activists and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu on the second day of his two-week African tour. He also visited a hospital with HIV positive women.

Obama says there's an "enormous" amount of denial about AIDS in the community and that's partly because of denial among government officials.

The Illinois Democrat also said he plans to take a public AIDS test when he visits his late father's home village this week to try to dispel the stigma surrounding the virus in many African countries.

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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