Government To Intensify Information campaign on AIDS

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)