Published in September 2007, this Special Report by John Carlisle is subtitled “State Department Collaborates in Skirting U.S. Law Against Promoting Drug Use and Prostitution.” The Report is based on documents obtained by NLPC through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Between 2001 and 2007, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded grants totaling $18.3 million to the Open Society Institute, the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan and the Alliance for Open Society International, all Soros-affiliated groups.
Click here or on the cover to the right to download a 12-page pdf version.
The Soros groups receive American taxpayer funds for the ostensible purpose of fighting AIDS in Central Asian countries. The programs, however, appear to reflect Soros’ social and political views in their administration. The groups operate needle exchange programs for drug users and provide “outreach” to prostitutes.
In addition, USAID and the US State Department have given millions of dollars to Soros’ nonprofits to operate education programs and other civil society initiatives in various nations. Since 2001, USAID and State Department grants to the Soros nonprofit network have totaled at least $25.6 million.
In a formal Complaint filed in October 2007, NLPC asked the USAID Inspector General to investigate whether the agency is violating federal law by funding private groups founded by the controversial billionaire. USAID is part of the State Department. The Inspector General has the authority to investigate compliance with applicable laws and Department policies.
Since 1989, Congress has restricted the use of federal funds for the purchase of needles, syringes, and other materials for the purpose of illegal drug use, and for the promotion of prostitution.
NLPC Chairman Ken Boehm said:
Soros is worth $8.5 billion. If he wants to fund groups that advocate the legalization of drugs and prostitution, that is his right. But it is outrageous that taxpayers are being forced to fund a billionaire’s pet projects.
When asked about the USAID grants on National Public Radio, Soros wisecracked that his foundations have “the same objectives as the State Department, except we concentrate more on promoting democracy than the State Department.”