Bush seeks $81.9b for Iraq, other efforts

WASHINGTON -- President Bush asked Congress yesterday to provide $81.9 billion more for conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other US efforts overseas, pushing the total price tag for the conflicts and counterterrorism fight past $300 billion.

Republicans hope to push the package through Congress by early spring, reflecting both parties' desire to finance US troops in the field and give Iraqis more responsibility following their national elections.

Bush asked lawmakers to pay for the new spending by borrowing the money, which will increase federal deficits.

''The majority of this request will ensure that our troops continue to get what they need to protect themselves and complete their mission," Bush said in a statement accompanying his request.

He also said the money would help continue the pursuit of terrorists and help the United States ''seize the opportunity to build peace and democracy in the Middle East."

The request was the latest demonstration of how the soaring costs of war, and the ongoing reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, have exceeded the administration's early characterizations. White House officials derided an early estimate by former Bush economic adviser Lawrence Lindsey of a $100 billion to $200 billion price tag.

About $77 billion of the total request was for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while about $5 billion was for aid to US allies. Of the total package for the wars, $74.9 billion was for the Defense Department, with other agencies sharing the rest.

About $12 billion was requested to replace or repair worn-out and damaged equipment, including $3.3 billion for extra armor for trucks and other protective gear.

There was also nearly $400 million for more generous death benefits for the families of slain American soldiers, and money to cover higher fuel costs and programs aimed at boosting the morale of US troops, many of whom have been forced to serve prolonged periods in Iraq.

In addition, there was $5.7 billion to train Iraqi forces and $1.3 billion to train Afghan security agencies. Another $5 billion was for the Army to redesign many of its own combat brigades so they would be more flexible and less reliant on other units.

Bush requested $658 million to build a new US embassy in Iraq that could house a staff of 1,000, plus $717 million to staff it. He wants $4.8 million to enhance US-backed broadcasting to Arabs, including new television broadcasts aimed at Muslims living in Europe.

Afghanistan would get almost $2 billion more for its own reconstruction, including money to build roads and schools, combat illegal drugs, and prepare for parliamentary elections.

There was also money for other US allies, including $150 million for Pakistan and $300 million for Jordan. The Ukraine would get $60 million in the aftermath of its elections, and the Palestinians -- engaged in a new peace effort with Israel -- would get $200 million for economic development and to help them create democratic institutions.

One possible flashpoint with Congress was two $200 million funds the State Department would control to provide economic and security aid to unspecified US allies.

A total of $950 million would be provided for Indian Ocean countries damaged by the tsunami, largely for relief and long-term reconstruction. That included $350 million to replenish US accounts tapped earlier for initial tsunami aid.

Also requested was $242 million for aid for Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region, plus another $100 million to help implement last month's peace agreement in southern Sudan.

Representative Jerry Lewis, Republican of California, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said he would move the bill ''quickly and cleanly through the Congress" with a goal of sending Bush the legislation by early April.

In a hint that lawmakers would look to rework some details, he added, ''Congress will exercise our constitutional obligations while expediting the consideration of this request."

Representative John Spratt of South Carolina, top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said lawmakers would back the effort to help American forces. But he said the measure contained some items, such as the money to help restructure Army combat units, that seemed to have little to do with the war and should have been in Bush's overall budget released last week.

''This is one way of trying to keep the regular budget sum down," he said.

Congress provided Bush with a $25 billion down payment last summer for this year's costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.