Why poor countries are poor.

• Author: Adhia, Nimish
• Position: Letter to the editor

Foreign aid money might be lining the Cameroonian despot's pocket and perpetuating his rule ("Why Poor Countries Are Poor," March), but that hasn't stopped us from sending more. In 2003 dictator Paul Biya received $200,000 under the International Military Education and Training program of the U.S. Department of Defense. If you are wondering why, consider a White House press release from March of that year, which reported a meeting at which George W. Bush "congratulated President Biya...