But, they added, it was not a direct threat from the Bush Administration to tie American aid to human rights.

For example, many countries tie aid to the purchasing of domestic products, although this practice has drastically decreased over the past 15 years.

As a result, tying aid is estimated to increase the cost of aid by 15-30%.

Tying economic aid to deeper cuts could easily slow the process.

Democratic critics want to tie international bailouts and other financial aid to human rights issues and improved conditions for workers.

But the political pressure has increased in recent decades as more and more Federal legislation tied aid to the states and cities to population.

Japan has tied aid to its own exports.

And with limited Government resources, there is much to recommend tying Federal aid to service.

It has not tied aid to the benefit of its industry.