Bush approves US$25 billion emergency funds for Iraq

1.00pm

WASHINGTON - US President George W Bush approved another US$25 billion ($39.22 billion) in emergency funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan on Thursday, while appealing to key military constituents as he signed a new US$417 billion Pentagon spending bill.

At a ceremony near the White House, Bush underscored new protections afforded to US troops by the emergency funding package that Congress said could be used as soon as it received the president's signature.

"With this legislation, America's military will know that their country stands behind them as they fight for our freedom and as they spread the peace," Bush told an audience including Pentagon officials and veterans.

"This money will buy more armoured Humvees, more ammunition, more fuel, more spare parts. It will upgrade our helicopters with the latest equipment, allowing them to fly more safely in the dangerous theaters."

The Bush administration had previously said it would not need more money for Iraq and Afghanistan until the new fiscal year, which begins on October 1, but officials later acknowledged they might need to draw on the emergency funds allocated by Congress.

A congressional report last month said the administration had underestimated costs for Iraq and Afghanistan by US$12.3 billion for the current fiscal year.

Congress, which had approved an US$87 billion emergency spending bill in October 2003 to finance military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of September, sanctioned the extra funds late last month as a down payment on next year's emergency spending bill.

Bush, who is in a tight election year race against Democrat John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, also touted US$103 billion in military benefits spending as a commitment to military families.

"America must do all we can to encourage these special Americans to stay in uniform. And that starts with taking care of their families," Bush said while flanked by non-commissioned officers from the four branches of the armed services.

Analysts say Republican-leaning military personnel and their families could prove vital for Bush's re-election prospects. The president received strong backing from military voters in the key state of Florida in 2000.

But operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have also strained military families with extended tours of duty and the recall of thousands of veterans to active duty.

Bush drew special attention to enhanced pay and housing benefits for soldiers.

"This year's raise of 3.5 per cent brings the total pay raise over the last four years to nearly 21 per cent. This money is well earned, well deserved and well spent," he said.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq