Albright ignores HIV stigma In Africa, she hails infected singer's bravery

GABORONE, Botswana In this African nation where about a third ofall adults are infected with HIV-the highest rate in the world-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright hugged a singing star andpraised her bravery Monday after the entertainer revealed she wasinfected with the AIDS virus.

The gesture was a potent one in a nation where AIDS infectionbrings shame and social ostracism, and acknowledging infection istaboo.

Mayoress Molefi-Mochangana, one of Botswana's most celebratedsingers, told Albright and a small group of women meeting inside aprenatal clinic that she learned of her infection from a recent HIVtest and she urged other women to find out whether they have …