Flanked by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo at the White House, Bush made the United States the first Western donor to the global effort.
Any contribution is welcome and needed, but the United States can do better.
The presidential pledge is a miserly sum from the world's wealthiest nation - especially to fight a disease that has taken 22 million lives, created 13 million orphans and seriously threatens the futures of entire nations. Bush said he is open to more funding, so he should heed the calls for greater U.S. generosity. Ever the diplomat, Annan thanked Bush and expressed hope that other developed countries would contribute to the global fund. Much of that battle must be fought in Africa, home to more than 70 percent of the world's 36 million HIV-positive people. To its credit, the Bush administration has paid particular attention to Africa during recent days.