{{The United States said on Wednesday it would withhold deliveries of tanks, fighter aircraft, helicopters and missiles as well as $260 million in cash assistance from Egypt’s military-backed government pending progress on democracy and human rights.}}
The decision, described by U.S. officials, demonstrates U.S. unhappiness with Egypt’s path since its army on July 3 ousted Mohamed Mursi, who emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood to become Egypt’s first democratically elected leader last year.
But the State Department said it would not cut off all aid and would continue military support for counterterrorism, counter-proliferation and security in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders U.S. ally Israel.
It also said it would continue to provide funding that benefits the Egyptian people in such areas as education, health and the development of the private sector.
The split decision illustrates the U.S. dilemma in Egypt: a desire to be seen promoting democracy along with a need to keep up cooperation with a nation of strategic importance because of its control of the Suez Canal, its 1979 peace treaty with Israel and its status as the most populous nation in the Arab world.
“We will … continue to hold the delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the government pending credible progress toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through free and fair elections, “ State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
Mursi’s supporters and security forces have repeatedly clashed since the Islamist president’s ouster, including on Sunday, one of the bloodiest days since the military took power, with state media reporting 57 people dead.
Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said it was doubtful Washington would gain any leverage over Cairo by withholding the aid.
“ It may make some Americans feel better about the U.S. role in the world, but it’s hard to imagine how it changes how the Egyptian government behaves, “ he said.
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