Egypt moves against groups despite U.S. ire

CAIRO - Egypt refused to back down Wednesday in a dispute with the United States over Cairo's crackdown on nonprofit groups despite Washington's threats to cut aid. Meanwhile, the military deployed troops to the nation's streets after a surge in violence and protests against its rule.

Egypt's official MENA news agency said the army was deploying more troops to reinforce the police, and restore security and state "prestige." The move comes after a deadly soccer riot last week that sparked days of clashes between the police and protesters. At least 89 people were killed in a week of violence.

The deployment appeared to be a show of force by the military in response to criticism of its handling of the country's transition to democracy and calls for the ruling generals to step down. Calls for a general strike Saturday have been gaining traction.

Egypt's military rulers are also facing a worsening dispute with the United States over Cairo's campaign against foreign-funded pro-democracy and rights groups. Authorities allege there is a foreign conspiracy against Egypt to explain the widening protests against the military's performance.

On Sunday, Egyptian investigative judges referred 16 Americans and 24 others to trial on accusations they illegally used foreign funds to foment unrest in the country.

That drew a sharp rebuke from Washington. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned that failure to resolve the dispute may lead to the loss of $1.5 billion in aid to Egypt. Some U.S. legislators said every aspect of the relationship with Egypt must be examined after the crackdown.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland called on Egypt to release the Americans, saying the 16 "have not done anything wrong." Egyptian authorities put the number of Americans referred to trial at 19, but Nuland on Tuesday said there are 16 Americans in the case.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, is to travel to Egypt this week for talks with Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi. Dempsey's spokesman, Col. Dave Lapan, said Wednesday that the trip had long been planned but that the nonprofit dispute would come up if it hadn't been resolved. He said Dempsey would talk with Egypt's leaders about "choices and consequences," but declined to elaborate.