CAIRO: The United States Congress may restrict aid to Egypt, as part of a $53.3 billion bill set to restructure US foreign aid. As a state of political chaos unravels through Egypt's post-Mubarak transition to democratic rule, Congress has moved to reconsider the $1.3 billion in security service funding it gives to the Egyptian military annually. Under the terms of the bill, $250 million in US economic assistance for Egypt would also be blocked for review. The funds would be released when the secretary of state assures Congress that Egypt is obeying the 1979 Camp David Peace Accords with Israel, and supporting a transition to a civilian-led government in Egypt by “implementing policies to protect freedom of expression, association and religion and due process of law.” “In a difficult economic and political climate, this bill meets our national security needs and global responsibilities while implementing tough restrictions and requirements on recipients of US assistance,” said Rep. Nita Lowey. The Republican-backed bill was passed in the House of Representatives on Friday, and will be up for a Senate vote this weekend. It comes amid efforts to cut the United State's budget deficit, as Republicans push to reduce overseas spending. The United States government has given Egypt an average of $2 billion in aid since 1979, the majority of which goes to the Egyptian military. In 2010, $1.3 billion went to the Egyptian forces. Another $1.9 million was allocated to help train the Egyptian military and bolster long-term cooperation between the United States and Egypt. The Obama administration requested the same amount of assistance for the 2011 fiscal year. The bill under debate devotes $3.1 billion in security assistance for United State's ally Israel. It also restructures US foreign aid for Pakistan and the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, political violence in Egypt continues, as the military wages an attack on anti-government protesters for the third consecutive day, leaving at least 10 dead and nearly 400 injured, according to official Ministry of Health death tolls. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/DFq1a Tags: featured Section: Egypt, Latest News
