Special to WorldTribune.com
WASHINGTON — For the first time, Congress has openly threatened U.S.
military aid to Egypt.
Senate leaders said they would examine prospects to sever or reduce the
annual $1.3 billion in U.S. military assistance to Egypt. They said the
military regime in Cairo, which cracked down on U.S.-financed
non-governmental organizations, has repeatedly violated pledges to honor
human rights and encourage democracy.
“They should know that this action on their part jeopardizes a normal relationship between us,” Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin said. “They know that, and that includes the impact it could have on aid.”
Both Levin and the committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. John McCain, have agreed to examine the feasibility of blocking U.S. military aid to Egypt in fiscal 2012. They cited the State and Foreign Operations Bill, which requires the administration of President Barack Obama to certify that Egypt was protecting democratic freedoms, holding fair elections and moving
toward civilian control before the Arab League state could receive U.S. military aid.
Congressional sources said both the House and Senate leadership have sent messages to the military regime in Cairo to stop harassing NGOs,
including U.S. staffers, several of whom have taken refuge in the
American embassy. They said the congressional leadership has repeatedly
warned both Egypt as well as the administration that U.S. military aid was
contingent on Egyptian reforms.
“We will have to closely review these matters as it comes for us to
certify whether any of these funds from our government can be made available
under these circumstances,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Feb.
4.
An Egyptian military delegation has been meeting administration
officials in a discussion that focused on military aid in 2012. The
delegation was scheduled to meet Senate leaders, including Levin and McCain,
during the week of Feb. 6.
“We want to send a clear message to the Egyptian military that the days
of blank checks are over,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations,
said on the floor of the Senate on Feb. 3. “We value the relationship and
will provide substantial amounts of aid, but not unconditionally. They must
do their part to support the transition to civilian government. If the
assault against international and Egyptian nongovernmental organizations
continues, several of the requirements for certification could not be met.”
The Washington-based Freedom House has lobbied Congress to halt U.S.
military assistance to Egypt. In a statement by congressional lobbyist Sarah
Trister, Freedom House asserted that Egypt has failed to meet the
requirements set by Congress.
“Per the FY 2012 State and Foreign Operations Bill, before the
administration can release the $1.3 billion in military aid for Egypt, it
must certify that the government of Egypt is ‘supporting the transition to
civilian government including holding free and fair elections; implementing
policies to protect freedom of expression, association, and religion, and
due process of law,’ ” Freedom House said. “At this point, it is clear these
conditions are not being met.”
Freedom House said Egypt should not be entitled to U.S. economic aid in
2012. The organization said the NGO harassment campaign has been directed by
Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Fayza Abu Al Naga, whose office
channels the U.S. aid to social welfare and pro-democracy programs.
“The ministry that receives this funding, the Ministry for Planning and
International Cooperation, is headed by a Mubarak holdover who has been
directing the assault against civil society,” Freedom House said.
Senators warn Egypt: NGO crackdown could end U.S. military aid added by World Tribune on
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