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As U.S.-Egypt Strains Grow, USAID Boss Quits the Country
(AP-Washington Post) Jim Bever, the USAID director in Egypt, abruptly flew back to Washington on Thursday after less than a year on the job, the first major casualty of a row between the two longtime allies over American funding for pro-democracy groups. Egypt's military rulers are growing anxious over foreign aid they fear could strengthen the liberal groups behind Egypt's uprising at the expense of the military's own vast power. Those pro-democracy groups have grown more critical of the ruling generals lately. The government insists that American aid funding must go through official channels, and not directly to the groups. Last month, Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Assar, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, criticized the U.S. for funding pro-democracy groups without submitting to Egyptian government supervision. Claims of a "meddling foreign hand" have routinely found resonance among Egyptians. More than a few are convinced that the U.S., Israel and others are constantly scheming against their nation and Islam. Amid all the xenophobia, anti-American sentiments have stood out. Egypt's military has for more than 30 years received about $1.3 billion in annual U.S. assistance.