UN AIDS Conference Draws Thousands to New York

Two decades after the first AIDS case was reported, the United Nations on Monday opens a high-level conference to combat the disease killing 5 million adults a year and creating a generation of orphans. The appalling figures are not in dispute for the 3,000 government leaders, advocacy groups, scientists, businessmen, health experts and AIDS victims descending on New York for the first three-day special U.N. General Assembly session on AIDS. Some 36 million people are infected worldwide with AIDS or HIV, the virus that causes it, with 25 million in Africa alone. The killer disease is rapidly spreading through Asia, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. Delegates from 180 nations are divided on a final declaration that would name homosexuals, prostitutes, prisoners and intravenous drug users among the most vulnerable groups. Muslim nations argue this would offend religious beliefs. And U.N.-organized panels that include activists, major foundations and businessmen are in jeopardy. Egypt, Libya and Pakistan, among others, object to the participation of an American gay rights group, prompting Europeans and Canada to hold back approval of the entire speakers list.