U.S. Delays Terror Screening for Aid Groups
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
The Bush administration has decided to defer the start of a new security screening program for thousands of officials of organizations seeking funds from the Agency for International Development until it reviews all the comments from those affected, according to USAID’s acting deputy administrator, James Kunder. Although USAID said in a Federal Register notice last month that the program would become effective this week, Mr. Kunder said in a telephone interview that it “would be effective, but not operational” until there is “a systematic review” of the views of the private organizations involved.
The plan would require charities, religious organizations, colleges, and corporations seeking foreign aid funds to give the government detailed information about key personnel, including dates and places of birth, employment, citizenship, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.
