U.S. names 63 states eligible for development aid<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse
\nWashington<\/p>\n
The United States on Tuesday named 63 countries, including
\nIndonesia, eligible to share billions of dollars in U.S. aid
\nunder a new program aimed at rewarding developing nations which
\ncommit to democratic and free market reform.<\/p>\n
A billion dollars has already been made available by Congress
\nfor fiscal year 2004 and President George W. Bush on Monday asked
\nlawmakers to approve US$2.5 billion for the account in fiscal
\n2005.<\/p>\n
Nations named on Tuesday will be able to compete for a slice
\nof the aid under the program, billed by the Bush administration
\nas a revolutionary way to wean poor nations off long-term aid and
\nprevent assistance from disappearing into the coffers of corrupt
\nstates.<\/p>\n
Aside from Indonesia, eligible recipients include fledgling
\nstates like East Timor and Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Asian giants
\nIndia and Pakistan, and Uganda, Nigeria and Senegal, which Bush
\nvisited during a quick tour of Africa last year.<\/p>\n
The announcement followed a meeting on Monday of the board of
\ndirectors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) which
\nwill administer the aid.<\/p>\n
Secretary of State Colin Powell chairs the board, which also
\nincludes Secretary of the Treasury John Snow, U.S. Trade
\nRepresentative Robert Zoellick, and the head of the U.S. Agency
\nfor International Development Andrew Natsios.<\/p>\n
Powell said at the start of the meeting on Monday that "People
\nmatter."<\/p>\n
"The plight of the world's poor presents all of us with a
\nprofound moral challenge," he said. "Alleviating their suffering
\nalso holds profound implications for freedom and security across
\nthe globe."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-names-63-states-eligible-for-development-aid-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}