TI   "Rio Admits "Mistake," Repays Brazil AIDS Fund"
 AU   Bennett, Vanora
 SO   Reuters (12/28/93)
 AB   Rio de Janeiro--Local health authorities in Rio de Janeiro repaid
      $636,000 they took from an AIDS fund to pay off debts.
      Nongovernmental groups protested last week when it was discovered
      that authorities had used some of the federal contribution, part of
      which was donated by the World Bank.  They said misuse of the fund
      jeopardized future funding from the World Bank, which earlier this
      year agreed to loan Brazil $250 million over a three-year period for
      AIDS treatment and prevention.  However, the agreement can be
      abandoned it the funds are misappropriated. "Nothing illegal took
      place," maintained Hudson Ventura, head of Rio's state health board. 
      "It was a mistake, everyone makes mistakes."

      Copyright (c) 1993 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD.  This
      information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control &
      Prevention (CDC), National AIDS Clearinghouse as a public service. 
      Non-profit reproduction is encouraged.

 * Origin: AEGIS/San Juan Capistrano 714.248.2836 (CASAN)  (1:103/927)
 * Provided as a service of THE BACKROOM - NYC * 718-951-8256