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Realities Overtake Arab Democracy Drive

(Washington Post) Glenn Kessler and Robin Wright - Egypt, the second-largest recipient of U.S. aid, is also ruled by one of the Arab world's most autocratic governments. Egypt's government has a veto over what Egyptian institutions can get U.S. aid, a provision that effectively blocks funding of human rights groups and government critics. Funds labeled by Washington as promoting democracy ended up being used for projects such as sludge removal. Washington is trying to negotiate an agreement with Egypt that would allow it to channel about $20 million directly to independent organizations to promote democracy. Yet the funds are still only a sliver of the nearly $2 billion in annual U.S. military and economic aid, the largest chunk of which, $1.3 billion, still goes to Egypt's security forces, which have been repeatedly cited by the State Department's human rights report for torture, prolonged detentions without charge, and other abuses.
2003-12-04 00:00:00
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