Message-ID: <3311F4A5.14DD@uniontel.net> Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:05:57 -0800 From: David Johnson <mailto:pinefarm@UNIONTEL.NET> Subject: Foreign Aid To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
I was half listening to the radio when I heard an item about the
foreign aid package for the next year. I had always known the foreign aid
only amounts to about one percant of the budget but I never really paid
much attention to where that amount went.
The report said that some aid was being increased, notably to
Russia and the Eastern European nations if I remember correctly. In
total, I think it came to some 8 or 900 million dollars.
What really astounded me, however, was the statement that the
"traditional" aid to Isreal and Egypt would remain at about 3 BILLION
dollars for Isreal and almost that much for Egypt.
How was Egypt singled out of all the counties in that part of the
world for all that money? Could a small country like Isreal even exist
without that much money every year?
I'm sure that most people on these lists are aware of this, but,
it was big news to me, especially the comment about the "traditional" aid
package as if, this wasn't something even discussed, it was just there
and would be for all time.
I have nothing against either of these countries, but, it did
make me wonder hwo they came to be so lucky for so long.
Dave Johnson