MP Meets Bill Clinton                                                         

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, met Bill Clinton at the Princess Diana Memorial Lecture, organised by the National Aids Trust. Mr Gerrard was at the lecture in his capacity as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Aids, and was one of a small number of guests invited to meet the ex-President before the lecture.

"As President Bill Clinton took a personal interest in the fight against AIDS, and he has now become joint chair, with Ex-President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, of the International Aids Trust" said Mr Gerrard. 

"His lecture was one of the best speeches I have ever heard. He pointed out clearly and forcefully the consequences for the world if the spread of AIDS continues. If the threat of 100 million AIDS cases world wide in the next five years were to materialise it could have the effect of destabilising developing countries."

"He went on to remind us all that we actually know a great deal about how to prevent new infections, and to treat those who do become infected, even though a cure is still not possible. Poverty and the lack of basic healthcare systems are things we can do something about, and this, together with better education could have a dramatic effect in slowing the spread of infection."

"I was delighted to be able to meet Bill Clinton, and to take part in this event, which gave everyone present some pointers for the future."

The photo shows Neil Gerrard (who would have preferred it if the photographer had not caught him with his eyes shut) with Bill Clinton, and John Godwin from the National Aids Trust.

Dec 2001

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