BRAMA, May 7, 2003, 1:00 pm ET
Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky, Counselor at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, spoke about Ukraine's HIV/AIDS epidemic at
a May 4 press conference held at the Philadelphia Visitor's Center.
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"Ukraine is an old nation, but a very young State," said Dr. Korsunsky, "with cultural and economic strengths.
But the centuries spent under the rule of the Russian
Empire and Soviet Union resulted in a vaccum in social life, and one of the consequences
is the terrible increase drug use in Ukraine. And this, of course, is the main cause of
HIV cases, about 75%." Dr. Korsunsky thanked the The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Philadephia on behalf of Ukraine's Ambassador Gryshchenko, for
having organized the Aids in Ukraine Awareness Weekend, which took place May 3 and 4, 2003.
"The government of Ukraine fully recognizes this problem and is fully aware of the consequences of HIV/AIDS.
Ukraine is working very actively to stop the spread of the disease," Dr. Korsunsky continued.
"Ukraine is a member of the governing board of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria (founded by the United Nations)
http://www.globalfundatm.org/
based in Geneva. Ukraine is the only country that has obtained two separate grants from this Fund
totalling 20 million.
"Ukraine also obtained a World Bank loan of $60 million.
This is the first case for loan credit to be used in the fight against a disease. Mr. James D. Wolfensohn,
President of the World Bank, hopes to use the Ukraine as a model for other parts of the world such as Africa and Asia that
are experiencing HIV/AIDS epidemics.
"All those efforts, supplemented by the activities of the Ukrainian-American community
which is especially powerful and able in Philadelphia, we believe will result in the
prevention of the further spread of HIV/AIDS infections in Ukraine. I have no doubt that we will overcome this
terrible disease, and within a few years Ukraine will not be among those countries
which have the high rate of HIV cases.
"Thank you all, thank you for all efforts. They are highly appreciated in Urkaine.
The clinics and cities in Ukraine know what is being done for them [in North America],
they know how much you are helping. The children who are saved by your efforts will remember you."
Dr. Korsunsky announced that as soon as it was discovered that Miss Universe 2002, Justine Pasek, was born in
Ukraine, the Ukrainian government "decided to finally open an Embassy of Ukraine in Panama,
a very important country."
Dr. Korsunky and Miss Pasek are standing in front of the Liberty Bell which is located in
Independence National Historical Park in downtown (called "Center City") Philadelphia.
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