WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s administration said Tuesday that it has certified that Egypt is upholding its 35-year-old peace treaty with Israel and therefore qualifies for some military and counterterrorism assistance.
Secretary of State John Kerry informed Egypt’s foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy, of the decision in a telephone call, crediting the Egyptian government with sustaining its strategic relationship with the United States and fulfilling its obligations to Israel, State Department spokesman Jen Psaki said.
The decision clears the way for the release of Apache helicopters to Egypt, which the United States has held up since July when the Egyptian military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood-led government.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel informed Egypt’s defense minister, Col. Gen. Sedki Sobhi, of Obama’s decision to deliver the Apaches in support of Egypt’s counterterrorism operations in Sinai, the Pentagon said.
The move also allows the U.S. to release some of its annual $1.3 billion military assistance package to Egypt, specifically those parts dealing with security in the Sinai Peninsula and counterterrorism efforts.
The administration notified Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees foreign aid. Leahy has written legislative language restricting military aid to Egypt since Morsi’s ouster. He has argued that U.S. law is clear: When a military coup occurs, U.S. aid should be cut off.
The administration’s decision means aid is now flowing to the Egyptian military.
Front Section, Pages 8 on 04/23/2014