Bush seeks 82 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan
US President George W. Bush on Monday formally asked lawmakers for 81.9 billion dollars to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as for Indian Ocean tsunami relief.
"This request reflects urgent and essential requirements. I ask the Congress to appropriate the funds as requested and promptly send the bill to me for signature," he said in a statement.
The request includes 150 million dollars for Pakistan; 200 million to help the Palestinians; 300 million in economic and security assistance for Jordan; and brings total US tsunami aid to 950 million dollars, the White House said.
It also includes 7.4 billion dollars to accelerate the training of local security forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bush has made the latter a precondition for withdrawing the roughly 140,000 US forces in Iraq.
The request calls for two billion dollars to help Afghanistan prepare for upcoming legislative elections, fund reconstruction efforts, and combat drug trafficking.
And it includes 717 million dollars for US embassy and security expenses in Iraq, including 658 million to build a permanent facility for US diplomats there.
Bush asked for 400 million dollars meant to help countries that have contributed troops to US-led military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The request also includes 242.4 million dollars in food aid and refugee assistance for Sunday's trouble Darfur region, and 100 million dollars to help Sudan implement a peace agreement signed in January.
And it includes 60 million dollars earmarked to help supported newly-elected President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine.
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