[Pern]

We need to cut off all of these blood suckers, not just a select few.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I immediately looked for Columbia on this list and discovered that my suspicions were correct. Note that no military aid to them was suspended. That's very significant.

[rface]

thanks for the bit of good news

[MizSterious]

Yes, it's a good first step. I can think of dozens more that should be axed.

[BrooklynGOP]

Why are we giving aid to... Let's say... Finland?

[Squantos]

Key word IMHO is suspended..........I'd bet the next check is already in the mail. But I agree, stop all aid . We can't save the world while we lose the United States.

Stay Safe !

[FreeTheHostages]

Yes! This should help with our budget deficit, too.

[Centurion2000]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday suspended military assistance to nearly 50 countries, including Colombia and six nations seeking NATO membership, because they have supported the International Criminal Court and failed to exempt Americans from possible prosecution.

Damn good start.

[InvisibleChurch]

I'm disappointed in Latvia.

[martianagent]

And yet we go on supporting the prosecution of Slobodon Milosevic and, after causing tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damage with the bombing campaign against Serbia, requiring that that poor nation turn half to three fourths of its political leaders over to this same stupid criminal court before receiving any aid at all, precisely as if Bill Clinton were still president of the United States.

That's for the crime of trying to defend themselves against the KLA/Al Quaeda narco terrorists of course.

If anybody understands this, I'd appreciate hearing the explanation.

[DoughtyOne]

I hate to see Costa Rica in there, but if nations don't want to play ball, then what choice is there.

[Gunrunner2]

FYI: Most of this "aid" is in the form of IMET (International Military Education and Training), and not classic hardware.

IMET is usually when we bring select members of a foreign military to the states to learn democratic principles, civilian rule and oversight over the military, establish personal relationships with the aim of expanding ties and improving relations. This, in turn, gives the US access and influence. We send them to a variety of schools (Air University, Army War College, etc, as well as to civilian universities). We also have exchange programs where we bring them over to serve "in" the US military while one of our guys serves "in" their military. Again, exposure to US democratic ideals and practices.

Oh, while a military program, IMET funds are administered by the State Dept.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Why did Bush give waivers to any of them at all? Do we REALLY need the political and military might of THIS bunch?

Albania, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Honduras, Macedonia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan and Uganda.

All of them together couldn't muster 50,000 decent troops or a single modern bomber much less a guided missile cruiser.

[Publius6961]

Is "Palestine" included?

Why can't this be permanent?
It's a great start!

[OXENinFLA]

As the deadline passed for governments to sign exemption agreements or face the suspension of military aid, President Bush issued waivers for 22 countries.

But the 22 countries did not include Colombia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Sloveni

The countries which received presidential waivers are:

Albania, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Honduras, Macedonia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan and Uganda.

It looks to me that Colombia got the Ax.

[Publius6961]

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominica, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Niger, Paraguay, Peru, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zambia.

Waivers are:
Albania, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Honduras, Macedonia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan and Uganda.

Does any one have any suggestions on how to determine how many $$ these countries get currently and have gotten in the past?

[MistrX]

Why in the world would Nauru be on this list?

[semaj]

This is just one of the many reasons I don't recommend the military to youngsters seeking advice on military service. Just like the women trying to get out Saudi Arabia with her daughters, the Government, (State Dept, Pentagon) doesn't hesitate to sell its' citizens down the river for the sake of International Relations.

When that policy is changed, maybe my advice to youngsters regarding military service will change also.

[truthandlife]

They didn't cut off these animals

Administration consider resumption of aid to Palestinian Authority; due to receive $200 million

[OPS4]

The President remains stead fast on his patriotic mission,
if your not with us, your against us.

Ops4 God Bless America!

[msdrby]

In light of the recent news that the U.S. is sending $200 million more to Palestinians. I guess I now know where the money is coming from (besides directly from us taxpayers).