Redistributing Foreign Aid
The Times is right to observe that the United States is under-funding its foreign assistance programs (editorial, “Redistributing the Largess,” March 25). Foreign aid has long been viewed as an important way to safeguard American interests and strategic concerns around the globe. Nevertheless, America gives less foreign aid as a percentage of its gross national product than most other industrial nations. But to throw support behind discredited proposals that call for the redistribution of existing funds from close U.S. allies to other countries undergoing political change is myopic and irresponsible.
The five largest recipients of foreign aid--Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and the Philippines--are steadfast democratic allies who have taken great risks in support of American interests. Would a reduction in aid to Israel and Egypt contribute to Mideast stability and peace? Could the Philippines survive cuts in aid as it fights a guerrilla war? Should assistance to Pakistan be cut in the wake of that country’s record of opposition to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and assistance to Afghan refugees?
If large-scale U.S. assistance to Eastern Europe and other needy nations is in our interest, then a more serious examination of ways to finance such aid is in order. The proposal to finance assistance exclusively out of the foreign aid budget, which accounts for only 1.2% of our budget, is wrong. The U.S. spends $130 billion on defense in Western Europe alone. Compared to the $3 billion in foreign aid to Israel or $2.3 billion in assistance to Egypt, it is clear where the new funds should be drawn from--with changing conditions in Europe a few cuts could more than amply provide for our new friends.
What The Times should be calling for is a careful examination of new priorities in the wake of global change--an examination that should recognize the need for special attention to the needs of America’s allies.
JACK M. NEWMAN, President
Anti-Defamation League
Pacific Southwest Regional Board
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