Zambian appeal

''It does not need my son's death to appeal to the international community to treat the question of AIDS as a world problem. It is something that is so serious, that once again I plead with the World Health Organization and those in a position to help fund the campaign against AIDS. We want to fight this together, regardless of who dies from it.''

Many African politicians are reluctant to admit to having an HIV epidemic, for fear of creating panic or discouraging tourism. It is therefore significant when President Kaunda announces that his son has died of AIDS, opening dialogue about the epidemic.