[Letter to Ann London from Jon Cohen]

April 17, 1991

TO: Ann London
FROM: Jon Cohen
VIA FAX: [phone]
Dear Ms. London,
I am writing a book on AIDS vaccine research for Delacorte
Press and would like to learn specifically how NIAID is
funding (and has funded) AIDS vaccine research.
As per the Freedom of Information Act, I request records
that detail: 1) the Division of AIDS budget since its
inception to the present date, yet not excluding any future
budget requests that have been documented; 2) the dollar
amount and descriptions of grants and contracts awarded by
NIAID and/or the Division of AIDS for AIDS vaccine
development, including but not limited to SIV vaccine
research, HIV vaccine research, clinical trials, adjuvants,
and related immunological research; 3) any and all requests
for assistance from vaccine developers; 4) any and all
offers of assistance from NIAID to specific vaccine
developers.
If documents are denied in part or in whole, please specify
which exemption(s) is (are) claimed for each passage or
whole document denied. I am not seeking any trade secrets,
personnel or medical files, or anything that involves
national defense secrets, so I expect to appeal any denials;
please specify the office and address to which an appeal
should be directed. I believe my request qualifies for a
waiver of fees since the release of the requested
information would primarily benefit the general public and
be "in the public interest."
I already have some documents regarding these questions,
and, to avoid duplication of effort and speed this request,
would be more than willing to discuss specifics or to review
documents at the NIH.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Jon Cohen
3445 17th NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 332-9564 or (202) 387-7517 5571095.0199.019