( US President George W. Bush on Wednesda...)Bush Seeks Doubling of AIDS-fighting Funds,Health

US President George W. Bush on Wednesday urged lawmakers to set aside 30 billion dollars over five years to fight AIDS worldwide , but AIDS activists said the proposal fell short of funds needed to battle the global scourge.

Bush also said that First Lady Laura Bush would visit Africa in June to assess HIV/AIDS-fighting strategies in Zambia, Mali, Senegal and Mozambique, and report back on what works and what does not in battling the deadly disease.

"She's going to meet with community leaders and visit with participants in HIV/AIDS programs during her trip to Zambia, Senegal, Mali, and Mozambique. And she's going to come back with her findings," the president said.

Bush urged the US Congress to renew and double his President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has 15 billion dollars and is due to expire in September 2008.

"The generosity of the American people is one of the great untold stories of our time. Our citizens are offering comfort to millions who suffer and restoring hopes to those who feel forsaken," said Bush.

"Today, I ask Congress to demonstrate America's continuing commitment to fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS by reauthorizing this legislation now," he said in the White House Rose Garden, surrounded by AIDS activists.

"I ask Congress to double our initial commitment and approve an additional 30 billion dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention for care and for treatment over the next five years," he said.

Bush said Washington would work with African governments, the private sector, and community groups around the world to focus the funds on treatment for some 2.5 million people, preventing some 12 million new infections, and care for 12 million more, including more than five million children.

The White House said that PEPFAR, as of March 31, had helped fund treatment for 1.1 million people in its focus countries -- Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire
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