JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Here in Washington, South African President Thabo Mbeki is making his first visit to the U.S. since he took over from Nelson Mandela last year. CNN senior White House correspondent John King joins us with the very latest -- John.</s>JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, a number of issues on the agenda here. But one gathering the attention early on: the AIDS epidemic across Southern Africa and in South Africa itself. One in 10 South Africans infected with the HIV virus. President Mbeki drawing attention because he has, quite controversially, consulted with scientists who do -- who say that HIV does not cause AIDS. President Mbeki approached reporters in the East Room here, after this ceremony today to make the case that he has never said that; that he has consulted those scientists, but that he himself has never said that HIV does not cause AIDS or criticize the AZT drug. Now, this, an issue because of South Africa's efforts to get those drugs. On his way out of the room, President Clinton stopped and talked to reporters as well. It's a bit noisy because of the band. But the president said he was encouraged by an agreement struck last week under which five pharmaceutical companies say they will cut the cost of AIDS drugs and AIDS treatment.</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm very encouraged by what those pharmaceutical companies said. And then, of course, if the Congress will pass my tax proposal to give a big tax credit to them to develop these vaccines, I think that will make a big difference.</s>KING: AIDS not the only issue on the agenda. Both leaders discussing South Africa's effort to lower its $24 billion international debt. And of course, the violence in Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone being discussed by the two presidents here at the White House today. John King, CNN, reporting live from the White House.
President Mbeki in U.S.; Consultation with Scientists who Claim HIV Does Not Cause AIDS Draws Criticism