CAIRO: Egypt's USAID Director James Bever, who abruptly left the country on Thursday amid reports of growing anti-Americanism, denied that his reason for leaving his post was due to the rising xenophobia in Egypt. “Reports that Cairo USAID Director James Bever has departed Egypt due to anti-American sentiment are inaccurate,” said the statement. “Mr. Bever is a widely respected senior development professional who will be preparing for other duties. His departure from Cairo was purely for internal reasons.” He exited Cairo on the heels of the government's decision to investigate foreign aid to local NGOs, notably American funding. The State Department's statement was posted on the department's website on Friday in response to the questions regarding Beyer's departure from Cairo. Earlier this month, Bikyamasr.com reported that military police were allegedly behind rumors that they had called on citizens to “hand over” foreigners, accusing them of being spies, which has heightened tension among foreigners and life in Egypt. It came after the Egyptian military accused a number of political groups and movements of being foreigner “traitors” who accepted financial support from abroad. While it could not be confirmed that the military police were indeed attempting to round up foreigners, the rising number of foreigners reporting being questioned over their reasons for being in the country has seen the US government speak out on the matter. “Let me say with regard to this kind of anti-Americanism that's creeping into the Egyptian public discourse, we are concerned,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters on Wednesday in Washington. “We've expressed these concerns to the Egyptian government. We think this kind of representation of the United States is not only inaccurate, it's unfair.” But Nuland was careful to stress Washington's “strong” support for Egypt's democratic transition. “We will continue to be there for Egypt,” she said. After initial US ambivalence toward pro-democracy protests that erupted in Egypt on January 25, the United States backed the February 11 ouster of president Hosni Mubarak. BM
