7th International Conference on AIDS in Asia Pacific, to be held in
Kobe, Japan in October 2003 is to be postponed

Dear Friends,

I am very sorry to inform that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
for the 7th ICAAP decided to postpone the conference. It was proposed
�@by the Chair Dr. Kishimoto on 6 June. That was just after SARS
panic occurred in the Kansai area with Kobe-city. (It happened only
for the SARS patient having traveled Kansai!) Then we argued about
possibilities in the conference, and searched for the opinion of a
specialist.

Many of members of the communities, we, asserted holding as
scheduled. Especially I emphasized how this conference that held at
this time when Accssess to Treatment is just starting would be very
important for PLWHA in Asia, and how do PLWHA community get a large
damage by postponing of 7th ICAAP.

But, confusion of the Kansai community influenced of direct panic was
so large that the result of vote was determined as postponing. (I
remembered AIDS panic in Kobe that happened 15 years ago. I felt it
same kind of prejudice and discrimination. It may be how to appear
Japanese stereotype stigma)

But, I supose the determination is not final. Even if the LOC ( Local
Organizing Committee ) for the 7th ICAAP offers postponing, the
sponsors (UNAIDS,SEVEN SISTERS etc.) may refuse this determination.(I
believe they will do so) Then LOC must consider about holding of the
conference again immediately. The result may be arearranged
holding, or It may be cancellation. To tell the fact, I cannot
anticipate either. There are also many committees who want to hold
rather than cancellation even they voted to postponing this time.

Anyway, I'll keep moving on each committees strongly to held as
scheduled with sufficient preparation for SARS prevention. In
addition many people from communities still keeps preparing to hold
the conference as scheduled in such difficulties.

Thank you for your help.

Hiroshi Hasegawa
E-mail: <pinkbear@...>