Bush Calls Johnson a Hero, Defends Administration’s Policy on AIDS : Health: President says he can empathize with basketball star. He criticizes radical tactics of the group ACT UP.

President Bush on Friday described Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Earvin (Magic) Johnson as “a hero to me” and “to everybody (who) loves sports,” and called Johnson’s dramatic disclosure that he is infected with the AIDS virus “a tragedy.”

Bush, speaking at a news conference before leaving for the Hague, Netherlands, described Johnson--who has vowed to educate young people against the dangers of AIDS--as “a gentleman who has handled his problem in a wonderful way.”

“Oh, it’s sad. Good man,” Bush said earlier in the day.

Later, meeting with reporters at the end of a NATO summit conference, Bush had more words of praise for Johnson.

“I can’t tell you the high regard that I have for this athlete,” Bush said. “And I can empathize with him.”

Bush, who watched Johnson’s televised announcement of his condition Thursday, said he “saw the heartbreak of some of the kids that idolize him. And so it’s a tragedy, but handled well--and I don’t want to sound like this is . . . carrying it further than it is--because he might do very, very well indeed.”

Bush again defended his AIDS policies, declaring that his Administration has “increased funding dramatically” to fight the disease.

“If there’s more I can do to empathize, to make clear what AIDS is and what it isn’t, I want to go the extra mile, because my heart goes out to them,” Bush said.

“I’ve been to hospitals and seen them; I’ve talked to some of the victims of AIDS,” he continued. “I can’t say I’ve done enough; of course, I haven’t. But I don’t like the allegation, if it is, that I don’t care, because I do very, very much.

“We’re doing well as an Administration, but if I need to do more and Barbara does, to express the concern we feel, we’ll do it,” he said. “I say Barbara because I think she is trying very hard also. When you hold those little AIDS babies in your arms, I think that sends a powerful message, not just of love, but of what AIDS is and is not.”

At the same time, Bush attacked the radical AIDS activist organization ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), which has fought for increased funding for AIDS research and early access to experimental drugs, and against AIDS-related discrimination.

The group staged a disruptive demonstration near Bush’s vacation home in Kennebunkport, Me., on Labor Day. During the 1990 International AIDS Conference in San Francisco, ACT UP conducted a noisy demonstration while Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan was attempting to deliver a speech. Sullivan was infuriated with the group’s behavior.

“I think some of the machinations of ACT UP, which is an extreme organization, hurt the cause of understanding--denying people the right to speak--this doesn’t help the cause,” Bush said.

Larry Kramer, a New York writer and founding member of ACT UP, responded to Bush’s comments about the group, saying that the President did not understand the beneficial results of ACT UP’s activities.

“There are 23 treatments out there that would not be available to AIDS sufferers if not for ACT UP’s pressuring,” Kramer said. “If such results are an endangerment of free speech, then God help the health care system in this country.”

In Washington, tributes to Johnson poured in from all quarters, while several AIDS organizations criticized the federal Centers for Disease Control for reducing funding for AIDS education programs, particularly in the minority community.

“Magic Johnson’s unique magic on the basketball court and in life has already made him a hero and role model for millions,” said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee. “The grace and courage and commitment he displayed yesterday made his magic even greater. His action is likely to mark the beginning of the major new effort the nation urgently needs in the battle against AIDS.”

Johnson “holds the all-time NBA record for assists,” Kennedy said, “but this may be his most important assist of all.”

Surgeon General Antonia Novello said Johnson’s announcement “shows us that, out of tragedy can spring great courage and a limitless ability to make a difference. I praise Magic’s courage, and I welcome his amazing ability, unique only to him, to reach our nation’s young people. . . . This daunting task before us--of saving our young people from AIDS--is now within our reach, thanks to the grace and courage of Magic Johnson.”

Belinda Rochelle, speaking for the AIDS Action Council, said Johnson’s announcement was a “sad reminder that everyone is at risk for HIV disease . . . even our heroes.”

Paul Kawata, executive director of the National Minority AIDS Council, noted that Johnson’s revelation would be “particularly meaningful for people of color.”

Jack Markham, of the National Assn. of People With AIDS, said he hoped that others would “find the courage that Mr. Johnson has shown and come forward.”

“Until people with this disease stand up to be counted, HIV will not have the national priority necessary to stop the loss of life that continues,” Markham said.

At a Washington news conference, several AIDS groups attacked the CDC for its decision to cut funds for AIDS education. But Kent Taylor, a spokesman for the agency, said that the reductions were across-the-board cuts imposed by Congress and that the CDC had not yet decided how the remaining money would be allocated.

Reggie Williams, executive director of the San Francisco-based National Task Force on AIDS Prevention, said he was “in a state of shock” over the cuts, but had decided to “fight them tooth and nail because our lives are at stake here.”

The CDC’s Taylor said that Congress had reduced the agency’s $494.6-million budget this year by $14 million, which he characterized as “part of the overall reduction in funding.”

The CDC, which provides funds to state health departments, schools, community-based organizations and other programs for testing, counseling and education, was “still working on the budget figures at this time to evaluate the changes and we don’t know at this time how the money will be dispersed,” Taylor said.

Gerstenzang reported from Rome and Cimons reported from Washington.