PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki has withdrawn from the public debate on the causes of Aids after admitting he had created confusion, but has not backed down from his controversial stance which questions the orthodox scientific view that HIV is the cause of Aids. Mbeki has sided with dissidents who claim other factors, including poverty and malnutrition, could also play a role. According to the government, 4.2 million South Africans – one in 10 – were HIV-positive at the end of 1999. – AFP