U.S. ready to double Afghan aid spending

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.iht.com/articles/107658.html

Officials say changes will be unveiled soon

KABUL In the next several weeks, the Bush administration is expected to announce a major increase in aid to Afghanistan that would greatly expand the American role in this country, senior U.S. officials here and in Washington say.

The administration appears set to embark on a vast American-led effort at top-to-bottom rebuilding and recasting of Afghanistan, these officials said in recent days.

A senior American diplomat said that President George W. Bush, viewing the situation "like a businessman," had decided that investing more reconstruction money here now could lead to an earlier exit for American forces and save money in the long run. The United States currently spends $11 billion a year on its military forces in Afghanistan and $900 million on reconstruction aid.

But officials of aid groups here contend that the presidential election in the United States next year will be the motivating factor. They say the White House is eager to have Afghanistan appear to be a success story to voters.

Under the new initiative, American reconstruction aid is expected to double, to $1.8 billion a year, officials said. A dozen senior American government officials would work as advisers to Afghan government ministers. Up to 70 staff positions would be added to the embassy in Kabul, where virtually the entire senior staff is being replaced.

more

[Deja Q]

1. Humanitarianism as an electioneering gimmick?!

Has the wretched little bastard* any shame or dignity whatsoever?!?!?!

Why not do it AT THE TIME WHEN IT WAS MOST RELEVANT?

How about Iraq, the country he destroyed?

How about America - or at least Americans who aren't the big corporations?!

No need to hope, I'm certain the Afghani will treat the Americans just how th Iraqi have. Afghanistan will not be a "success story" or notch on the post for this shrubbypanted twit* in office.

And repukes talk about LESS government... :eyes:

[xchrom]

2. i'm just a little dazed

where is this money going to come from?
talking about the possibility of another military strike some place else or more money for afghanistan or who knows what else and deficits getting bigger all the time -- where's it all going to come from?
osama did a better job than he ever imagined.
if we manage to elect a dem in the next election -- there is an awful lot in the landscape that is looking and smelling like quicksand.
repukes are setting up boobytraps if you ask me/

[saigon68]

3. GLAD WE HAVE NO SCHOOLS TO FUND

Or Seniors to provide prescriptions to

Or Homeless to shelter

Or Veterans to take care of

Or hungry to feed

I'm sure the Mayor of Kabul A/K/A Kharzai and all of his friends are wiring their Swiss bankers today and telling them about the soon to be consummated deposits of Graft and Corruption money -----headed their way from the American TAX-PAYERS !!!!!!

[tweekinnow]

4. Must have

had a good Opium harvest to fund all the rehab.,huh?