James Kunder, Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, USAID at Washington Foreign Press Center Briefing on "Update on Humanitarian Assistance to Lebanon."
Photo: fpc.state.gov
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NGOs Beat Off U.S. Special Services’ Attack
// With the help of Russian human rights defenders
U.S. authorities put off introducing the measures toughening the control over NGOs financed by Washington. However, the White House did not give up the idea to strengthen the control of U.S. special services over foreign NGOs. There measures will now concern just Palestine. In other countries, Washington’s plans might fail at all, due to the protest of NGOs themselves, including Russian human rights organizations.
The Partner Vetting System, proposed by the USAID to strengthen U.S. special services’ control over NGOs, was to come into force on August 27. However, its implementation was put off. USAID deputy head James Kunder said on Tuesday the new system will be launched in September just for the NGOs working in Palestine and receiving funds from USAID.
Meanwhile, USAID top officials announced on Friday that they will keep collecting feedback for the Partner Vetting System throughout September. Then, the state agency and the U.S. Department of State, which curates it, will thoroughly study the comments of all NGOs involved, and will make the final decision only after it.
Apparently, Washington slowed down due to the sharp criticism which the project received from many NGOs worldwide. Influential U.S. NGOs were the first to speak against the new system which allows special services to control the implementation of USAID programs. Then, the wave of discontent reached most foreign organizations, including those in Russia, with which USAID cooperates.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 01, 2007
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