In an extremely dangerous response to the Mexican government's latest condom campaign, the Catholic church has launched, with assistance from the anti-abortion group Pro-VIDA, a very aggressive campaign against condoms. The group has been using false data and twisting information to "prove" the ineffectiveness of condoms, stating that they have a "40%" failure rate. This aggressive counter-campaign started because CONASIDA (the government's National AIDS Prevention and Control Program) launched, for the first time in recent history, a frank and straightforward public prevention and awareness-raising campaign targeting adolescents. The campaign includes displaying the word CONDOM prominently in giant billboards, on the public transportation system, and television and radio advertisements. The condom promotion campaign of CONASIDA is backed by Mexican AIDS NGOs (non-governmental organizations), by progressive intellectuals, and by political parties, among them the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) and PRD (Partido de la Revolución Democrática).

Pro-VIDA is suing CONASIDA and the Secretary of Health, Dr. Juan Ramón de la Fuente in an attempt to end CONASIDA's AIDS prevention condom campaign. Pro-VIDA's suit charges CONASIDA and Dr. de la Fuente with placing Mexican citizens at risk for not discussing monogamy and celibacy. Dr. de la Fuente has recognized Pro-VIDA's right to oppose their campaign but has remained firm in his support of the campaign. Monsignor Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, is at the same time demanding the government include the following warning on condom wrappers "This product may be hazardous to your health."

On September 1st, Mexican President Lic. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, delivered his annual address to the nation and omitted any reference to the AIDS situation in the country, despite the high incidence of HIV infection in Mexico.

Activists in Mexico have requested that letters of support be sent to:

Dr. Patricia Uribe
Executive Coordinator of CONASIDA

Calz. de Tlapan No 4585 - 2ndo piso
Col. Toriello Guerra
México D.F. C.P. 14050
MEXICO
Fax: 52-5-528-4220
Email: conasida@cenids.ssa.gob.mx

They also ask that respectfully worded letters be sent to President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León requesting that he openly express his support for the official prevention initiatives of his own government.

Lic. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León
Presidente de la República

Palacio Nacional
México D.F. C. P. 06067
MEXICO
Fax: 52-5-515 5729

Please send all copies of letters directly to the following Mexican AIDS service organization:

Colectivo Sol

Aptd. Postal 13?320
México D.F. C.P. 03500
MEXICO
Fax: 52-5-666-6849
Email: colsol@laneta.apc.org

For those who wish to have their letters sent to Mexican media, copies of letters should also be sent to the following newsletter for persons living with AIDS in Mexico:

Letra S

Zempoala #9-205
Colonia Narvarte
México D.F. C.P. 03020
MEXICO