French Assistance Research Articles

Notes on Anti-French Attitudes Expressed in the "Primera Cronica General"

Little tangible evidence of anti-French sentiment is found before the eleventh century, but there are indications which seem to help set the stage for attitudes that will follow. We know, for example, that France took an interest in Spain soon after it was overrun by the Saracens.1 During the reigns of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious various expeditions crossed the Pyrenees and conquered Catalufia, but with the Carolingian decline French interest in that area was lost. An antagonistic attitude toward the French, in spite of collaboration between Alfonso el Casto and Charlemagne, may well go back to those early expeditions. One of the medieval Spanish epics, Bernardo del Carpio, relates that Alfonso, who had no heirs, sent word to Charlemagne that he would give him his kingdom in exchange for French assistance against the Moors. When the news reached the Spanish nobles they were much disturbed:

Research in Africa

Since its creation ANRS has sought to conduct AIDS research in Africa despite the frequently inadequate technical conditions and economic problems of African health systems and the shortage of French medical teams experienced in tropical medicine. Much basic biological research on AIDS takes place in the laboratories of developed countries using samples from Africa. The ANRS conducts clinical and epidemiological research and studies of individuals in society to help in understanding particular aspects of AIDS pathology and epidemiology in Africa. From 1989 to 1995 37 studies were conducted by ANRS teams in Africa. 13 studies concerned the individual in society including social and economic aspects reactions to AIDS and studies of sexuality and migration. 11 studies examined tuberculosis infectious pneumopathies vertical transmission and other medical aspects. Six studies concerned serologic problems specific to Africa four were strictly epidemiologic and three concerned viral strains observed in specific countries. Studies on HTLV 1 were conducted in Gabon and Zaire. In 1993 Coordinated Action no. 12 (AC12) was established and most ANRS research in Africa now is under its authority. One goal of AC12 was to regroup research activities in Africa into a small number of sites that could be provided with sufficient resources for effective action. The three current sites are Abidjan Brazzaville and Dakar. The large number of qualified specialists and foreign medical researchers and a specialized laboratory and modern hospital made possible with French assistance make the Ivory Coast a potentially effective site for clinical research. A center for clinical research on AIDS in Bobo Dioulasso Burkina Faso will cooperate with the Abidjan center. A new hospital financed through French aid has made clinical research possible in Brazzaville despite difficult conditions. Senegal is relatively less affected by the epidemic but HIV l coexists with HIV 2 and HIV 1 may spread in coming years. The countrys well equipped medical facilities will aid future research.