The US Senate Budget Committee, headed by Senator Patrick Leahy, announced a decision last Thursday to cut funds allocated to promoting democracy in Egypt by US$5 million. Observers say the move reflects a trend within the US administration to reduce pressure on the Egyptian regime to carry out political reforms and promote civil liberties. US President Barack Obama had earlier requested that congress earmark some US$25 million for promoting democracy in Egypt in 2011, which the committee has since cut back to US$20 million. Egypt will, however, receive US$250 million in economic aid, in addition to US$35 million for education, of which US$10 million will be granted in the form of scholarships for Egyptian students wishing to study in the US. Egypt will also receive US$1.3 billion in military aid. This includes funds for border protection and “activities in the Sinai Peninsula,” the nature of which the committee did not specify. US law allows Egypt, Israel and other non-NATO allies to rent or purchase US military equipment for civilian use if approved by the US president. Meanwhile, the committee agreed to grant Israel a total of US$3 billion worth of aid for next year. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
