It works out at around $5000 per head in Iraq
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US President George W Bush has told the American people that Iraq is "now the central front" in a global war against terrorism, and called on other countries to contribute to the effort.
In his first national address since declaring in May that America's mission in Iraq had been accomplished, Mr Bush said he would ask Congress for $87bn to continue occupation and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Bush said the spending was necessary to continue the war on terror in Iraq.
"Enemies of freedom are making a desperate stand there, and there they must be defeated. This will take time, and require sacrifice," Mr Bush said.
"Yet we will do whatever is necessary, we will spend what is necessary, to achieve this essential victory in the war on terror, to promote freedom, and to make our own nation more secure," he said in the televised speech
Congressional leaders were reportedly stunned by the size of Mr Bush's funding request, which was far larger than they had expected, the Washington Post reported.
The $87bn figure would increase America's federal budget deficit by almost 20% for the coming year.
Mr Bush also appealed for international help to resolve Iraq's security problems, saying the United Nations had a "responsibility" to take on an expanded role in the country
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3088772.stm
-------------------------------------------
US President George W Bush has told the American people that Iraq is "now the central front" in a global war against terrorism, and called on other countries to contribute to the effort.
In his first national address since declaring in May that America's mission in Iraq had been accomplished, Mr Bush said he would ask Congress for $87bn to continue occupation and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Bush said the spending was necessary to continue the war on terror in Iraq.
"Enemies of freedom are making a desperate stand there, and there they must be defeated. This will take time, and require sacrifice," Mr Bush said.
"Yet we will do whatever is necessary, we will spend what is necessary, to achieve this essential victory in the war on terror, to promote freedom, and to make our own nation more secure," he said in the televised speech
Congressional leaders were reportedly stunned by the size of Mr Bush's funding request, which was far larger than they had expected, the Washington Post reported.
The $87bn figure would increase America's federal budget deficit by almost 20% for the coming year.
Mr Bush also appealed for international help to resolve Iraq's security problems, saying the United Nations had a "responsibility" to take on an expanded role in the country
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3088772.stm
