Forging a New Defense Relationship With Egypt
Highlights
GAO reported on U.S. military relations with Egypt. After three decades of cool relations, the United States and Egypt entered the 1980's with a new and expanding relationship. Egypt has established itself as a valuable strategic asset to the United States in seeking Middle East peace and in protecting U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf region. Egypt is the second-largest recipient of U.S. military aid and is slated for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) financing in fiscal year 1982 totaling $900 million. Besides this security assistance, the United States has established numerous other ties with Egypt. These new developments in the U.S.-Egyptian relationship and the attendant congressional interest that surrounds them led GAO to review progress in military cooperation and areas in which the relationship can be enhanced.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should enact legislation requiring the executive branch to provide advance notification for "cash flow" financing commitments to be given to allied countries. This would help ensure adequate oversight and control. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Congress has not taken any action on the recommendation and it is indeterminable when such actions will be taken. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretaries of State and Defense should establish a joint consultative group with Egypt to study procurement priorities and help ensure that Egypt has the capability and resources to effectively use and maintain the equipment. |
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of State | The Secretaries of State and Defense should establish a joint consultative group with Egypt to study procurement priorities and help ensure that Egypt has the capability and resources to effectively use and maintain the equipment. |
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretaries of State and Defense should fully disclose to Congress the details of the "cash flow" financing authorization given to Egypt and Israel so it can assess the desirability of continuing such a commitment. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The State Department believes that information it provided in 1980 is sufficient for Congress. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East, questioned the State Department and DOD extensively in hearings in 1982 on "cash flow" in Egypt. This, in effect, achieved the goals of the recommendations.
|
| Department of State | The Secretaries of State and Defense should fully disclose to Congress the details of the "cash flow" financing authorization given to Egypt and Israel so it can assess the desirability of continuing such a commitment. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The State Department believes that information it provided in 1980 is sufficient for Congress. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East, questioned the State Department and DOD extensively in hearings in 1982 on "cash flow" in Egypt. This, in effect, achieved the goals of the recommendations.
|