"Not only has President Bush broken his word on funding, he has not put in the effort required to turn this excellent idea into a lifesaving reality," says Jamie Drummond, executive director of DATA, the international aid organization co-founded by Bono.
Even leading conservatives who initially supported the program are now blasting the Millennium Challenge Corporation. "The great promise [of the MCC] was met with tremendous hope and anticipation," said Rep. Henry Hyde, who voted to authorize the initiative as chairman of the House International Relations Committee. But now, he said, "we see a program struggling to get off the ground . . . lacking the boldness necessary to break the cycle of poverty" - a failure that "belies the original vision."
Conor Walsh, who represents Catholic Relief Services, testified to Congress, “Many Hondurans were left disillusioned." In June, five African leaders visited the White House and "complained bitterly," about the program's failure to deliver on its promises.
The MCC steers aid to support business, while meanwhile slashing funding for children's health in the world's poorest countries. "Resources for fragile states in Africa … have been cut from last year, despite unmet needs they have right now," said Rep. Nita Lowey, who initially supported the MCC. "I find it extraordinary that the MCC model is being touted by the administration as an ideal and successful solution to poverty alleviation."
Bush got a tremendous PR boost by announcing the MCC, winning the support of Bono and other high-profile aid advocates. "Maybe this is all … a political game to make people think that the US government is committed to reality," says Rieffel of the Brookings Institution. "When, in reality, the US government doesn't care."
[Excerpts of an article by Joshua Kurlantzick, Rolling Stone]
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