[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.

[MJY1288]

Never underestimate the military might of Mauritius < /sarcasm > off :-)

[Gunrunner2]

Actually, Botswana is a rare exception to the usual rubbish in Africa. Sound economy, disciplined military, dedicated to the US, stable population. . .

Botswana is my guess to take over the lead in sub-Saharan Africa when South Africa follows Zimbabwe.

[WoofDog123]

"Panama, "

Panama is getting american help now with their not-military military regarding their eastern border with colombia, and there are a number of US personnel in the country. They have an election this fall, so there is no way their govt is going to do anything pro-gringo until that is out of the way. I suspect these two items combined are why panama got a waiver while colombia didn't.

[TheWriterInTexas]

Some of the countries receive very little (relatively) in the amount of aid, but it means a lot to those poor, small countries and generates tremendous good will towards the United States.

Honduras, for example, will only get $1M or $2M. A lot to a working mom like myself, but a pittance to our Gov. Still, in Honduras, it makes a difference in education or medical care to people who have almost nothing.

My neighbors are from Honduras, originally, now naturalized citizens. Hard working, clean living, generous, industrious, caring people, devoted parents, great neighbors, wonderful friends. Couldn't ask for nicer folks.

Honduras has enthusiastically supported us in the WOT and signed on to help in any way it could during the Iraq War. I'd rather give aid to a country that could only send a few thousand men willing to die for us, than send sheckles to a bunch of panty waists poised with a dagger at our back.