Israel Matzav

Kerry circumvents Congresional hold, sends $1.3 billion to Egypt

US Secretary of State John FN Kerry has circumvented a Congressional restriction against providing aid to Egypt until it meets certain democratic standards, and has sent Islamist Egypt $1.3 billion in foreign aid (Hat Tip: Curtis F).

“Under U.S. law, for the $1.3 billion to flow the secretary of state must certify that the Egyptian government ‘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’,” Reuters reports.

Kerry’s quiet decision came before an Egyptian court this week sentenced 43 democracy workers, including 16 Americans, to up to five years in jail for working in NGOs not registered with the government. Critics of the restrictive government see the action as a crackdown on pro-democracy, non-governmental organizations.

In a May 9 memo, Kerry said that “we are not satisfied with the extent of Egypt’s progress and are pressing for a more inclusive democratic process and strengthening of key democratic institutions.” Yet the new secretary of state still decided to push the aid through.

Reuters was able to obtain a copy of the State Department’s notification of Kerry’s sneaky move, which was never released to the public.

“A strong U.S. security partnership with Egypt, underpinned by FMF (Foreign Military Financing), maintains a channel to Egyptian military leadership, who are key opinion makers in the country,” Kerry wrote in the memo.

“A decision to waive restrictions on FMF to Egypt is necessary to uphold these interests as we encourage Egypt to continue its transition to democracy,” he continued.

The unpopular memo was reportedly sent to congressional appropriations committees while some aides didn’t even know about its existence.

Under Hillary Clinton, the State Department last year also waived the restriction, however, it announced the decision and publicly defended its position to the media.

Labels: Egypt, Egyptian democracy, Islamist, John Kerry, Mohammed Morsy, US foreign aid

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:28 AM