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 WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Thursday called for spending $1.2 billion to cut malaria deaths in half by 2010 in Africa where many of its victims are children. "In the overwhelming majority of cases the victims are less than 5 years old — their lives ended by nothing more than a mosquito bite," Bush said.
The president also announced two other initiatives for the continent. He proposed doubling U.S. spending to $400 million to promote the education of girls in Africa and said he wanted Congress to approve $55 million over three years to improve legal protections for women in Africa against violence and sexual abuse.
The announcement came as Bush prepares to travel to Scotland next week for a meeting of major industrial democracies and Russia that is focused on Africa. He said that in Scotland he will urge other nations and private foundations to help fight malaria in Africa as well.
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