Stevens says Iraq administrator needs more money, sooner

[stickdog]

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/082503/sta_stevens.shtml

Bush administration is expected to request another $40 billion to $50 billion for 2004

By MARY PEMBERTON
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ANCHORAGE - The U.S. administrator for Iraq needs more money before the end of the year to finance rebuilding efforts there, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens said Saturday. L. Paul Bremer called Stevens to discuss ongoing attacks on U.S.-led military personnel and Iraq's own infrastructure, which is slowing efforts to get the nation back on its feet.

Stevens, an Alaska Republican, said Iraq is scheduled to get more money in February. The White House is expected to request another $40 billion to $50 billion for 2004. But Stevens said after talking with Bremer, he now understands additional money will be needed before then, probably in December. While Bremer did not specify an amount, Stevens said it is likely between $2 billion and $3 billion. Defense Department officials have said U.S. operations are costing about $3.9 billion monthly.

"I told him I would do my very best to help him," Stevens said. "I think we have to get things on a straight path and finish the peace process."

"We have never hidden the fact that we have security problems in Iraq," Bremer said.

[hadrons]

1. but don't Republicans say that throwing $$$ at a problem is bad???

[ewagner]

2. Didn't Rummy

get nailed by the Senate Committee for not revealing how much money they would need, or, for that matter, when they would need it?

In other words, more deception, more double-talk, more stupidity!