Secretary of State Colin Powell said ________. [br] [originaltext] Secretary

Secretary of State Colin Powell has spoken out against possible cuts in U. S. foreign aid to Egypt and the Palestinians while the Bush administration is working for Middle East peace.
   Secretary Powell appeared Tuesday before a Senate subcommittee on the foreign aid budget. Republican Senator Mitch MeConnell said Egypt may not deserve a proposed $ 2 billion military and fiscal aid package because he says anti- Semitic rhetoric in government- run media is at an all-time high. Secretary Powell says Cairo is very active in the peace process and plays an important role in the region. Mr. Powell also says the Bush administration speaks out when Egyptian newspapers print what he calls inappropriate remarks.
   Secretary Powell also defended proposed $ 75 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the face of Senate criticism blaming them for the violence with Israel. Mr. Powell said it is in the U. S. national interest not to cat funds to the Palestinians.