The U.S. House of Representatives, Committee of Government Operations, has called for Congressional hearings on A.I.D. A report on the agency’s finances is presently being prepared by the U.S. Government Accounting Organization.
During the first week of December, millions of television viewers saw evidence of the rampant waste, abuse and corruption that is part of international foreign assistance projects sponsored by A.I.D. The four-part “Special Assignment” series about the agency was prepared by investigative journalist Mark Feldstein for Cable News Network (CNN).
There were scenes of the streets in Cairo, where numerous youths could
be seen playing with large white “balloons.” The balloons were condoms
which A.I.D. has shipped by the millions to Egypt. “Free toys paid for
by the American taxpayer,” Feldstein commented.
Gene Richardson,
A.I.D.’s assistant Inspector General, appearing on the series, stated
that no other agency of government had a comparable record of
corruption: “Our crime rate is essentially higher than virtually every
other agency in the government and most major cities in the United
States.”
A.I.D. Administrator Ron Roskens admits that there are a few problems now and then but denies that they are tolerated. He scolded CNN reporter Mark Feldstein: “I think it is terribly unfair, Mark, to use the word ‘crooks.’ That’s language that is unbefitting.”
