US Cancels Hundreds of Millions in Aid to Egypt

October 12, 2013

Obama Caught in Dilemma on Egypt

From VOA Learning English, this is In the News.

Egypt is criticizing an American decision to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the country. An Egyptian Foreign Ministry official says the decision is wrong. He says his country is prepared to carry out what he called a political road map, which includes plans for elections next year.

The Obama administration said this week it was suspending the delivery of major weapons to Egypt because of delays in progress toward an inclusive government.

The decision followed an investigation of events since the Egyptian military ousted President Mohamed Morsi three months ago. President Obama has also decided to suspend $260 million in assistance to the government that followed the ouster.

Mr. Obama has said there can be no business as usual following the overthrow of Mr. Morsi. American officials say this suspension is a way of expressing that point. But it is far from a complete break in American assistance.

The United States will continue to support programs that it says directly help the Egyptian people. It will also continue financing programs that support what it calls “vital security objectives.” These include help aimed at securing Egypt’s borders.

Jonathan Broder is with Congressional Quarterly, a publication that reports on American politics. He says Mr. Obama has been under pressure for not taking stronger steps after the ouster of Egypt’s democratically-elected leader.