12 July 2004	Monday	23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

BANGKOK, July 11: The 15th International AIDS Conference opened here on Sunday with 17,000 delegates due to attend, making it the largest ever gathering of experts and activists dedicated to fighting the pandemic.

Some 38 million people are living with the condition across the world and the six-day conference will highlight the attempts being made to try to curb its spread.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and actor Richard Gere were among the thousands of dignitaries and AIDS workers who gathered at the conference venue for an opening ceremony that included traditional Thai dancing and music.

PROTEST: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra drew catcalls and whistling from drug activists on Sunday as he countered accusations of intolerance towards injecting drug users, who carry a high risk of HIV and AIDS.

Protesters unfurled a large black banner saying "Thaksin Lies" as he announced an end to his government's hard-line policy on drugs as part of his speech at the opening of the 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok.

"In the past, drug use was treated like a crime which warranted severe punishment," Thaksin said. "At present, our mindsets have changed and we now see drug users as patients who require our support and treatment."

Around 20 protesters held up posters in the auditorium saying: "No more lies", and "Methadone now", a reference to a heroin substitute which remains illegal in Thailand.

More than 2,000 people died last year in a Thaksin-led "war on drugs". Human rights groups said many of the deaths were extra-judicial killings but the Thai government insists most were drug-dealers.

Before he spoke, 1,000 activists and protesters urged conference organizers to focus on providing cheaper treatment to more people. Conference organizers Craig McClure and Joep Lange of the International Aids Society met protest leaders who petitioned them to get the world's rich countries to make good on their promises of funding for AIDS treatment and projects. -Reuters