Howard Berman, (D-CA) chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, put out a statement criticizing the budget resolution passed by the Senate Budget Committee that proposes $4 billon in cuts to President Obama’s international affairs budget request.

From the release;

“This budget outline would slash critical funding to our Foreign Service Officers and development professionals precisely at the time when the President is seeking to stand up our civilian capacity in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. The notion that this budget would have no impact on our national security funding is simply misleading. As this and the previous administration have made abundantly clear, diplomacy and development are essential components to our national security strategy.”

Late yesterday Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria released a statement on President Obama’s 2011 budget request. Friends suggests that the requested dollars for the Global Fund are concerning saying that by cutting the U.S. donation we are miss opportunities to be more effective in the fight against disease.

“Particularly during this difficult financial time, Friends of the Global Fight welcomes President Obama’s investments in global health and thanks the Administration for recognizing the critical role of global health as part of its overall development strategy,” said Natasha Bilimoria, President of Friends of the Global Fight. “A key tactic of GHI’s strategy is to strengthen and leverage partners – including multilaterals such as the Global Fund – to reach its goals. The Global Fund currently anticipates receiving viable grant funding requests for FY2011, however, that will significantly exceed what the Administration’s budget request contains. Fully funding the Global Fund provides the U.S. with an important opportunity to leverage global efforts so that countries can continue to successfully lead their own fight against the three diseases and strengthen their health systems.”

The Global Fund is vitally important to efforts to end malaria in Africa and we will be watching the budget conversations closely to encourage adequate funding.

The Policy Center will be analyzing the budget proposal and releasing our take in the coming days.

Why support Pres. Obama’s global health budget? Because it’s in OUR Interest – diplomacy continued… 

When I was ambassador in Tanzania, the strength of our assistance programs brought us to venues and audiences that we might not have otherwise reached.  In 2008, I was a featured speaker at a gathering billed as a “National Conference of Muslim Scholars on AIDS.”  Muslim opinion leaders from the far reaches of Tanzania were in attendance  . . . there were even leaders from beyond Tanzania’s borders. Some of them had probably never before heard an American official speak.  And while I didn’t address some of the issues that have hurt America’s image in some Islamic lands, my presence and my words emphasized the causes that we share.

I remember another occasion that drove home the point for me. I was the first American ambassador to speak at the State University of Zanzibar . . . where the student body is nearly 100 percent Muslim. I held a townhall-style meeting with the student body . . .probably another first for guest speakers.  I remember calling on one student who proceeded to slowly  and awkwardly read out loud a pre-printed question – “Why do you abuse your power in the world?”

I paused for a moment, and then answered with my own question. “Can you tell me, what is the number one killer of Muslim children in this beautiful country?” A long pause. “My guess is that it’s malaria. Now can you tell me who is doing more to fight malaria than America is?” A long pause, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in the young minds in my audience.

I didn’t convert any anti-American students that day, but I did force them to think. And for those with open minds, I reminded them of how much the US can be a force for good.

Why support Pres. Obama’s global health budget? Because it’s in OUR Interest  — diplomacy  

Policy makers should support President’s Obama’s increased budget for global health because its in OUR interest as much as in the interest of recipient nations.

Condoleeza Rice used to call it “diplomacy by deeds.” Secretary Clinton includes it in her arsenal of tools for “smart power.” Whatever the terminology, the concept is pretty simple: one of the best ways to build international friendships and diplomatic strength is to visibly help our friends take on their domestic humanitarian challenges.

When I was the American ambassador in Tanzania, I made sure that every part of our mission – from the traditional diplomatic corps to the gifted development professionals who represented USAID – were engaged in reinforcing America’s humanitarian image. I  used to preach a simple message to my leadership team. “If we can just get Africans, when they think of America, to think of those bed nets we’re distributing or that clinic we’re opening, than our diplomatic challenges will fall away.” 

Our public emphasis on our generous assistance programs and our effective assistance professionals seemed to pay off. According to the 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, positive impressions of America improved more in Tanzania than anywhere else in the world. It wasn’t magic, it was simply that we made sure people knew we were on their side in fighting their great humanitarian and development challenges.