WASHINGTON - The
Obama administration announced Friday that it intends to deliver all $1.3 billion in promised aid to
Egypt's military this year, despite calls from lawmakers and rights advocates to hold back money because of limits on political rights in the North African nation.
Congress requires the administration to certify, before providing aid, that Egypt has met
U.S. requirements for following democratic principles and is meeting its obligations under a peace treaty with
Israel . Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton said Egypt was living up to the treaty and waived the democracy requirements, citing "America's national security interests."
The decision reflects the anguishing choice facing the administration, which is deeply unhappy with Egypt's treatment of civil groups but wants badly to maintain its longstanding ties to Egypt's powerful military. ...