Official: Intense talks in Egypt over NGO standoff February 25, 2012 -- Updated 2240 GMT (0640 HKT) More than a dozen Americans face charges as part of a crackdown on NGOs in the country Among the Americans is the son of the U.S. secretary of transportation (CNN) -- The United States is having "intense discussions" with the Egyptian government to resolve the case of more than a dozen American overseas aid workers facing charges as part of an Egyptian crackdown on nongovernmental organizations, a senior administration official said Saturday. In December, Egyptian authorities carried out 17 raids on the offices of 10 organizations, including the U.S.-based Freedom House, National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute. The latter group describes itself on its website as a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that "advances freedom and democracy worldwide by developing political parties, civic institutions, open elections, democratic governance and the rule of law.