The Hindu : International : Bush pushes for war fund

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005

International

International

Bush pushes for war fund

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, FEB. 15. The White House has formally asked Congress for an additional $82 billions in supplemental spending, most of it going to the Pentagon to help pay for the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to fix equipment and increase the size of the army.

The move includes nearly $1 billion for tsunami assistance, $658 millions for a new embassy in Iraq and millions of dollars for allies in the war on terrorism.

Pakistan, for instance, is set to get $1560 millions, $300 millions for Jordan and $60 millions for Ukraine.

The Palestinians would get $200 millions for economic development and in the creation of new institutions.

Special supplement

Almost $75 billions is marked for the Pentagon over and beyond the $25 billions already approved by Congress in a special supplemental last year for Iraq and Afghanistan.

One independent estimate is that the President, George W Bush's anti-terror spending overall is in the neighbourhood of $300 billions or more.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are costing the tax payers $100 billions for 2005 alone.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International