Diary Prequel Package — page 72

Feb. 6, 2003 - Snow storm in DC. Went out to dinner with Stew Simonson and driving back home from Etrusco's restaurant on DuPont Circle I hit a patch of ice on Cathedral Ave., spun around twice and broad sided a telephone pole. No other cars or people involved. I was unhurt and drove my wrecked car home. Luckily it still ran since only the side doors (passenger side) were destroyed. Feb. 6 - 12, 2003 - Much briefing of White House and Congressional staff on Project BioShield and the President's AIDS plan. Much, much activity. The WH wants me in on all briefings. Feb. 13, 2003 - Delivered Plenary lecture at the 10th Conference on Retroviruses and OIs in Boston. Spoke on Role of viremia in host abnormalities. Very well received; it was hard core basic science, which was in sharp contrast to the publicity that I have been getting for the policy issues. Returned in early afternoon to go to WH to brief Congressional leaders on Project BioShield. Received secret briefing from CIA Torrey Froscher (Deputy Director, WINPAC, CIA). Present were Admr Stephen Abbott, Tom Ridge, Tommy Thompson, Jim Capretta, Kristen Silverberg, Chris Cox and Ginger Poers (Special Assistants to the president for Leg Affairs), Sens Gregg, Congressmen Burr, Turner Cox, Tauzin, Sen Collins; Sally Stansfield, Stewart Simonson, Carol Kuntz. The President walked in during the meeting and greeted the Congressmen and gave me a special warm greeting saying that the "A" team was there. He now has his special name for me. It is not Tony or Dr. Fauci it is "Fauci". Feb. 13, 2003 - Received wonderful FAX from Bono congratulating me on the AIDS initiative. Referred to us as "partners in crime". Did more briefings on the hill as well as briefing of activists Paul Davis, Asia Russell, Rachel Cohen (MSF) on the Pres. initiative. Still much concern out there that we did not put all of the money in the Global Fund. Yet, the Global Fund has not really done anything yet. Also, issues such as generic drug purchase and the Mexico City Agreement (MCA) have come up. Importantly, Jay Lefkowitz is supporting my view that even if organizations would not qualify to receive USG funds because they are not in accordance with the MCA, i.e. they do counseling that encourages abortion or they actually do abortions, they can in fact receive funds as long as they use them for treatment and not abortion performance or counseling. Major victory for me if Jay supports me since otherwise many groups would be disqualified to participate in the AIDS implementation plan. Also, according to the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement, the WTO countries would not permit breaking of patents or use of generic. However, in paragraph 6 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration on the TRIPS, members could use "compulsory licensing themselves or have a third party compulsory license for them to make drugs in the case of an epidemic emergency such as AIDS, malaria, TB, cholera, Ebola, etc. so long as certain conditions are met such as this must be in poor countries and drugs cannot be sold back to rich countries. Thus, the TRIPS agreement will not interfere with our giving money to poor countries to buy generic or compulsory licensed drugs. Please refer to TRIPS and Doha documents.