The 'Forgotten' War

04 Mar 2003
Bono called for an end to 'The Forgotten War' last night, on receiving aspecial Humanitarian Award at the 2003 Meteors.

Having thanked everyone for making the award in recognition of hiscampaigning work for debt-relief and highlighting the AIDS pandemic inAfrica, he took the opportunity to wonder why millions of people had notturned out onto the streets to draw attention to the victims of Africa's'forgotten' war against AIDS.

Drawing a comparison with the recent mass protests against U.S. plans forpossible war against Iraq, Bono said millions of poverty-stricken Africanswould die over the next few years without vital medicine to help them combatthe deadly virus.

'While I am inspired to see people out on the streets to defend thepotential loss of life in Iraq, two million Africans will die next year andthe year after because they cannot get hold of medicine,' he said.

'I want to know why there aren't a million people out on the streets forthis other forgotten war.

Bono was commended in video recordings by former US President Bill Clintonand Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern, while ex-South African PresidentNelson Mandela applauded his 'tireless campaigning' in a message read out atthe ceremony.

With the award came a donation of 100,000 Euros (£69,000), which will beshared between the development charities Concern and Goal.

More on the advocacy work of Bono for Africa here
www.datadata.org

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