VZCZCXRO9718
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1652/01 1500753
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300753Z MAY 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6353
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001652 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND S/GAC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO EAID KHIV SOCI OEXC ET
SUBJECT:  ETHIOPIAN PATRIARCH A CRITICAL ALLY ON THE BATTLEFRONT 
AGAINST HIV/AIDS 
 
¶1. SUMMARY.  The Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abuna 
Petros, and the Ambassador appeared at a public event on May 23 to 
advocate for HIV/AIDS victims to take antiretroviral treatment 
(ART), not just traditional holy water alone, as treatment for their 
disease.  Hundreds of worshippers, most of whom were HIV-positive, 
heard the Patriarch stress that taking holy water alone was not the 
answer to fighting HIV/AIDS.  The significance of this event was the 
Patriarch's strong determination to speak out in support of ART and 
the HIV/AIDS strategy developed by the U.S. Mission President's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) team in coordination with 
the Ministry of Health and other Ethiopian government agencies.  It 
was also important because it publicized the existence of a nearby 
medical clinic dispensing free ART supported by PEPFAR.  (Note:  ART 
treatment in Ethiopia is provided free of charge throughout the 
public health system with significant PEPFAR, Global Fund and other 
partner support.) END SUMMARY. 
 
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FAITH AND SCIENCE WORKING HAND-IN-HAND 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. The event, organized by the Public Diplomacy Working Group of 
PEPFAR/Ethiopia, took place at historic Entoto Mariam Church, the 
highest point in Addis Ababa and one of three dozen sites in the 
country known among Christians and Muslims alike for the potency of 
alleged cures brought about by its holy water.  Recently, the Entoto 
site had drawn approximately 3,000 Ethiopians, most of whom were 
presumed to be HIV-positive, with some 8-9 deaths occurring daily. 
People at the site relied solely on holy water, with people 
previously on ART abandoning medical treatment.  Journalists held an 
hour-long discussion with persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) 
undergoing the "dual" treatment and then went to the church to hear 
the Patriarch urge HIV/AIDS victims to take ART in conjunction with 
holy water, to improve their quality of life.  Following the event, 
the press engaged the Patriarch, the Ambassador and several holy 
water recipients with many questions. 
 
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A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT FOOD SECURITY IS A PROBLEM 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶3. The Patriarch called on those affected by the virus to consider 
returning to their communities once they start ART, and becoming 
productive citizens once again.  He also called on the U.S. and 
other donors to help PLWHA by ensuring that they received adequate 
food and other resources in addition to ART, and by helping them 
overcome discrimination in their communities by creating jobs for 
them. 
 
¶4. The Ambassador praised the Patriarch's courageous advocacy of 
ART, a position the Patriarch only recently adopted (due in large 
part to the hard work of PEPFAR partners Johns Hopkins University 
and International Orthodox Christian Charities.)  The Ambassador 
also stressed the importance for HIV/AIDS victims to leave the 
churches and return to their communities where they can now (thanks 
to the efforts of PEPFAR and the Ministry of Health) continue to 
receive ART as well as family and community support.  Calling them 
'messengers,' the Ambassador said that these PLWHA can help break 
down prejudice and overcome stigma and discrimination. 
 
¶5. The Ambassador pointed out that the U.S. was the largest 
bilateral donor of food assistance in Ethiopia, and will continue to 
make major investments in increasing food production, creating jobs, 
and providing support for women and other vulnerable groups to 
overcome discrimination on the basis of their HIV status.  The 
Ambassador stressed that helping victims of HIV/AIDS to obtain 
gainful employment and support in their local communities must come 
about through a partnership in which both countries are working 
cooperatively. 
 
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MEDIA AMPLIFY THE MESSAGE 
------------------------- 
 
¶6. The event was well covered by both local and international media. 
 The same day, the Voice of America Amharic Service broadcast a 
report on the event by a local stringer in which several 
HIV/AIDS-affected people who were taking holy water at the church 
shared their views on the pronouncements of the Patriarch and the 
Ambassador.  Some said that this was the first time they heard the 
Church saying that ART and holy water do not conflict with one 
another.  One said he had been taking holy water exclusively for the 
last five years.  "Previously, we were told that it is a sin to take 
medicine and holy water at the same time.  People have been dying 
because they were told not to take both at the same time."  Another 
person who had been exclusively taking holy water for the last three 
months expressed the view that it was not only the Church but 
society as well that told people to choose either holy water or ART. 
 "Society," he said, "advises that if one has faith, one should take 
only holy water.  This is what the person who administers holy water 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001652  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
and his assistants also advocate."  Some of those taking holy water 
at the Church told the VOA that they were ready to convey the 
message to others and to start taking the medicine. 
 
¶7. COMMENT.  The issue of Holy Water vs. ART became an issue over 
the past year when public health professionals working on HIV/AIDS 
realized that people were abandoning ART in favor of holy water. 
Orthodox priests - on their own - were telling the people to take 
only holy water.  At that time, there was no church position on the 
issue.  Once this matter was brought to the attention of the 
Patriarch and the Holy Synod, they ruled in favor of compatibility. 
The Patriarch's explanation of the Church's position at this event 
was an important message, that the two approaches to treating 
HIV/AIDS are in fact compatible.  By advocating ART, the Patriarch 
has helped promote constructive dialogue.  In impressing upon the 
people to return to their communities, Addis Ababa will avoid 
becoming overwhelmed by new arrivals of HIV/AIDS victims from rural 
areas.  Interestingly, at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church there were 
many Muslims, a striking mix of Christians and Muslims facing common 
problems with shared solutions, praying together with an Orthodox 
Patriarch.  Amplified by the media, including coverage by local 
television, radio and print media, as well as several international 
news organizations, the event sent a powerful message to the 
community that the Patriarch's position is to have religious issues 
and scientific practicality work hand-in-hand.  The PEPFAR/Ethiopia 
team is funding programs by the Development and Inter-Church Aid 
Commission (DICAC) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as well as by 
the Ethiopian Muslim Development Association for messaging and 
awareness on HIV/AIDS.   END COMMENT. 
 
YAMAMOTO