Government To Intensify Information campaign on AIDS

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday called for a more intensive information campaign by religious and community leaders to prevent the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome).

The Coordinating Minister on Social Welfare Azwar Anas said that the President was concerned with the disease and hoped that good inter-ministerial coordination could fight the spread of the disease.

"I reported on the steps we have taken to prevent AIDS by putting it on the national agenda. The program will be implemented jointly by the ministers of health, social services, religious affairs and population," Azwar Anas told the press after reporting to the President at Bina Graha yesterday.

He explained that Indonesia does not want to repeat the same mistakes made by other countries who were too late to realize the importance of national coordination in fighting the disease.

Concerning the requirement for an "AIDS-free" card for expatriates who work in Indonesia, Azwar said that the rule will be enforced in cooperation with the expatriates' countries of origin, such as Thailand.

"I have notified the ambassador of Thailand here of our findings that some of the AIDS victims in Irian Jaya were fishermen from Thailand.

"The Thailand diplomat said that his government will give AIDS-free certificates for citizens who will be working in Indonesia," Azwar said. (01)