Clinton may decide on Egypt aid next week

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could decide next week whether to resume U.S. military aid to Egypt, which has been embroiled in a dispute with the United States over democratic freedoms, the U.S. State Department said on Friday.    

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters Clinton has not yet made any decisions despite a New York Times report that said the Obama administration planned to resume the assistance.    

Congress has already approved $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt for the current fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30, $250 million in economic aid and up to $60 million for an "enterprise fund."    

But for the military aid to flow, the law requires Clinton to certify that the Egyptian government is supporting a transition to civilian government, including holding free and fair elections, and implementing policies to protect freedom of expression, association, religion and the due process of law.    

The conditions were attached to the U.S. military aid by Congress for the first time late last year as lawmakers expressed concern about human rights in Egypt under the generals who assumed power after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.   

The U.S. law allows Clinton to issue a waiver allowing the assistance to go forward if she deems this to be in the U.S. national interest.        

Reuters