Bush to ask for €58bn more for Afghan and Iraq wars

THE White House has told the US Congress to expect requests for $70 billion (€57.85bn) more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and $18bn (€14.9bn) more for hurricane relief, Senate Republican aides say.

President George W Bush’s budget for 2007 will reflect the totals for planning purposes, said the aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House has not yet announced the requests. Another $2.3bn (€1.9bn) to combat avian flu is also expected.

The Iraq funding is in addition to $50bn (€41.3bn) approved in December and should be enough to conduct the war through September 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Members of the House Appropriation Defence Subcommittee said last year that military officials had told them to expect additional Iraq funding of as much as $100bn (€82.65bn) for 2006. But the lawmakers said this week that the total could be lower because of expected troop reductions.

On relief for Hurricane Katrina, the request will include funding for federal facilities such as military bases and veterans’ hospitals damaged by the storm.

The relief would be on top of $62.3bn (€51.5bn) appropriated last year.

In December, Congress dedicated $29bn (€24bn) of those funds for levee repair and construction, funds to compensate homeowners whose hurricane insurance does not cover flood losses, and childcare, mental health and other social services.

Then, Congress exceeded Mr Bush’s request by $10.4bn (€8.6bn), mostly by approving $11.5bn (€9.5bn) in flexible grants.

On Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress in December sent the Pentagon $50bn to pay for wars for the beginning of 2006. Military officials had indicated the money would last through May. But this week, several lawmakers said the Pentagon has informed them the money was being spent more quickly than anticipated.

Congress has approved over $350bn (€289bn) for Iraq and Afghanistan since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including military operations, reconstruction, embassy security and foreign aid, as well as other costs related to the war on terrorism.