| Staying Bought |
7 July 2003
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US Uses Military Aid for Leverage -- Quite Right
The United States has decided that there are 50 countries that are unworthy of the military aid sent to them, and therefore, the money won't be arriving this year. It seems that the countries in question won't sign so-called "Article 98" deals with the US to prevent Americans from being tried before the International Criminal Court. What is laughable are the administration's opponents who claim the money should be sent anyway.
The merits of the court itself are debatable. The increasing legalistic nature of international society is not inherently a good thing. At the same time, having a place to formally hang Slobodon Milosevic and Charles Taylor is comforting. The fact that the court can only act against US citizens if the American legal system does not goes a long way to abating the need for debate. Lieutenant Caley's My Lai trial suggests the US can police its own -- so long as there are no presidential pardons.
Foreign aid comes in two varieties: humanitarian and political. Humanitarian aid, such as emergency food sent to earthquake zones, is not affected by this, and never should it be. Political, in this case military, aid is quite simply a bribe. And if someone won't stay bought, there is no reason to keep paying -0- even when one's own goals are foolilsh.
Moreover, the amounts involved are pitifully small. For example, South Africa will lose out on $1 million of military aid -- in fiscal year 2001, it spent US$1.7 billion on its military. In other words, it will not cause severe harm, or even any measurable damage, but by withholding funds, the US government is voicing its displeasure. Foreign aid must be understood for what it is, a tool of diplomacy, a means of influencing others. It must be used accordingly.