[00:05.51]The Clinton administration has declared the disease AIDS a threat to the national security of the United States.
[00:14.92]White House officials say they hope the action will help build support for programs to fight the disease around the world.
[00:24.76]Administration officials say the worldwide spread of AIDS is an especially serious security threat in developing countries.
[00:35.24]They say the AIDS crisis could affect democratic and economic development and lead to tensions that could result in wars.
[00:46.37]They say these problems could increase the chances of American intervention.
[00:51.98]A disease has never before been listed as a national security threat.
[00:59.27]But administration officials say AIDS is just one of several serious threats to American interests in the new century.
[01:09.15]The others include the illegal drug trade, organized crime and terrorism.
[01:16.38]The United Nations AIDS program says about 34,000,000 people are believed to be infected with H-I-V, the virus that causes AIDS.
[01:30.78]Most of them are in poor countries.
[01:33.13]In twentyone countries, more than 10% of adults are infected with the AIDS virus.
[01:40.86]A recent American intelligence report says up to 25% of the population in southern African nations is at risk of dying from AIDS.
[01:53.27]More than 20,000,000 people are believed to be infected with H-I-V in southern Africa.
[02:00.97]H-I-V infection levels also are increasing in India and other South Asian nations,
[02:09.04]as well as countries of the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe.
[02:13.98]More than 13, 000, 000 people have died from the disease during the past twenty years.
[02:21.32]The report says the large number of people dying from AIDS
[02:27.62]could weaken poor countries because there would be fewer people able to work.
[02:33.81]Many children are growing up without parents.
[02:38.22]And armies could be affected by the high infection rates among soldiers.
[02:44.34]The report says these conditions could cause tensions among ethnic groups and lead to the failure of some governments.
[02:54.39]The Clinton administration says AIDS is no longer just a worldwide medical problem.
[03:03.12]It is a problem that also involves economics and security'.
[03:11.06]The administration is requesting more than 250,000,000 dollars from Congress this year
[03:18.16]to try to slow the spread of the disease around the world.
[03:22.53]The administration wants more money for research to develop a vaccine to prevent AIDS.
[03:30.13]And Mister Clinton has ordered an easing of restrictions to make AIDS drugs less costly and easier to get in African nations.
[03:40.89]Federal health officials praised Mister Clinton's decision to declare AIDS a threat to national security.
[03:49.49]Some health officials suggest more countries should do the same.
[03:54.68]However, they say much more money is needed in the" fight against AIDS.
[04:00.72]White House officials say President Clinton will appeal for joint action against AIDS |