With Egypt’s first post-Mubarak elections drawing ever closer, both the nation’s interim military junta and opposition political leaders are expressing growing disquiet about the massive amounts of US grants being provided to key NGOs across the nation.
Reports have the US already committing some $200 million in grants to “assist with their participation in the political life of the country.” Many see this as an attempt by the US to buy the election or at least to exert undue influence on it.
US Ambassador Ann Patterson has defended the moves, saying that they “will serve as a model for the rest of he Arab world,” but it is not just the junta complaining. Reports have both Islamist and liberal factions complaining that the junta should ensure that the first “free elections” in the nation’s history be free of foreign intervention.
Faced with the complaints, the junta has set up a committee to investigate the funding as well as ordering all banks to keep on eye on a list of NGOs and would-be political movements known to have asked USAID for funds, eager to see which are being granted a bankroll and what impact it might have on the vote.
Way To Go USA.
Bankrupt in your own country – But enough money to sponser terrorism in other countries.
We 'might' be buying votes? Please. I've been around long enough to know there is no election in the world that the US doesn't seek to influence through overt or covert means. There's something in the Washington Kool-Ade that imbues our politicians with the uncontrollable urge to exert power in any and every way they can.
I'm surprised we haven't already seen reports of the 'mysterious deaths' of those politicians who will be up against 'our' picks. Stay tuned, though, I'm sure they'll show up any week now.
It will help nothing in Egypt as america and Israel will be thrown out.
They have commited enough crimes.
First Venezuela, now Egypt, USAID the cutting edge of a democratic dictatorship where the 51% most wealthy establish for the lower class economical slavery.
The US motto: if you can't buy them, threaten them. If that fails, invade them!