Bono Disappointed by US politicians over AIDS Fund

|PIC1|Bono was left disappointed after meetings with incoming US Democratic leaders late last week did not lead to commitments of financial support for the fight against the spread of AIDS, according to the New York Post.

"I'm alarmed we could not get a commitment from the Democratic leadership to prevent the loss of $1b in the continuing resolution to fight AIDS, malaria and extreme poverty," the U2 frontman said in a statement.

President George W Bush had proposed that amount in the past.
"I don't know who's to blame. Democrats are blaming Republicans, Republicans are blaming Democrats," Bono added.

Bono already went to the White House in February this year to ask President George W. Bush for more US aid to end world poverty.

The rock superstar and anti-poverty campaigner recently met with Australian Treasurer Peter Costello to lobby Canberra to increase its foreign aid to poverty stricken countries.

The meeting was orchestrated by the Rev Tim Costello, head of World Vision Australia and renowned Christian speaker.

Bono also recently launched the RED campaign together with philanthropist Bobby Shriver to bring big businesses and customers into the fight against HIV and Aids. Corporate giants Amex, Apple, Armani, Gap, Converse and Motorola have all signed up and brought out special RED products.

A percentage of the sale of these products goes straight to the Global Fund which was set up in 2002 with the specific purpose of fighting HIV and AIDS. The campaign has already raised more than £5m.