World
Egypt: U.S. aid suspension ‘errant’ EGYPT’S MILITARY RULERS called the U.S. freeze on some forms of military assistance “errant in both substance and timing.” “The decision raises serious questions regarding the United States’ readiness to provide constant strategic support for Egyptian economic and security programs,” said a foreign ministry statement sent to reporters Oct. 10. The Obama administration had announced the previous day that it would suspend delivery of some “large scale military systems” to Egypt but will maintain financial aid to help secure its border with Israel. In recent weeks, as the Egyptian military has stepped up its crackdown on Muslim Broth-
erhood-affiliated opponents of the regime, the Obama administration has signaled it would reconsider aid. That reversed its original reluctance to penalize the military for the July 3 coup, which removed the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi from the presidency. “The United States continues to support a democratic transition and oppose violence as a means of resolving differences within Egypt,” said the statement by Jen Psaki, a State Department spokesperson. Psaki did not say how much of the $1.5 billion in annual assistance — $1.3 billion of it in defense aid — would be cut, but she outlined areas where
assistance would continue, suggesting that at least some of the defense aid would be diverted to civil society programs. The decision was “errant in both substance and timing,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said, “despite the fact that the decision is of a temporary nature and does not terminate or reduce the aid programs and that it was accompanied by assurances that the United States will continue to support the interim government in Egypt.” The statement said that Egypt remained “keen to maintain its good relations with the United States” but added that its internal affairs and security decisions would be taken in an “independent manner.” — JTA
Israel uncovers terror tunnel near kibbutz A TUNNEL UNCOVERED between Gaza and an Israeli kibbutz was full of explosives and ended near a kindergarten. The 1.5-mile-long tunnel, which was discovered last week and is now being reported after the lifting of a gag order, had more than one exit point in and around Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, according to the Israel Defense Forces. It is believed to have been constructed to kidnap civilians and soldiers, or to infiltrate the commu-
nity and carry out a terror attack. The tunnel began in the Absan village located between Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip and the Gaza border fence. It was destroyed over the weekend. Israel halted the transfer of goods and construction materials to Gaza following the IDF’s announcement of the discovery of the tunnel, according to reports. It is the third such tunnel to be discovered in
the last several months, originating from the same area. IDF officials believe there are many more such undiscovered tunnels, Ha’aretz reported. A similar tunnel was used in the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the discovery is part of “an aggressive policy against terror,” despite the fact that this year has been the “quietest in more than a decade.” — JTA
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24 October 17, 2013
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