Iraq Occupation Could Cost $29B a Year (+ two new Army divisions

[Noordam]

AP News

September 2, 2003
Iraq Occupation Could Cost $29B a Year
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


Filed at 7:12 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A U.S. occupation of Iraq that relies on the creation of two new Army divisions could cost up to an estimated $29 billion annually, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

Relying on existing soldiers serving one-year tours would cost as little as $8 billion a year but would mean the force would steadily shrink as troops were rotated out of Iraq, the study said.

The report, released Tuesday, was requested by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., one of Congress' most outspoken critics of Bush administration policy in Iraq. In remarks on the Senate floor, Byrd said the report ``is quantified evidence that the long-term occupation is straining our forces close to the breaking point.''

<cut>

The study excluded any cost estimates for rebuilding Iraq, which administration officials have said could cost billions of dollars.

<a little more at article>>

[Malva Zebrina]

1. Dear Senator Byrd

At least he will go out of this world knowing that he stood for something that was honorable.

[Noordam]

2. So true on Senator Byrd

:toast:

[legin]

3. General rule of thumb

Any costs of the Iraq occupation produced by the White House multiply by a number between 2 and 5 to get the real figure.

[Nottingham]

4. Byrd is telling the TRUTH! Reality!

and how much are we gonna pay for Military when our population is aging! :bounce:

[Torgo]

5. The $29 Billion sounds like a low-ball figure!

Even at current levels we are blowing away more than $4 billion a month.

Imagine when the time comes for building real bases, depots, port facilities, etc., to support a long-term occupation.

We're looking at $100 billion a year!

Talk about Federal deficits!!!!!!!!

[Don_G]

6. Cheap For An Oil Source

Providing (a) the fast money dosen't end in a Cayman Island banking account to disappear forever, (b) the conquering nation dosen't squander the taxpayer's money and (c) the subjected nation dosen't get too pissed off during the current administration.

[legin]

7. Link to the CBO document

Letter to the Honorable Robert Byrd regarding the U.S. military's ability to sustain an occupation in Iraq

Link at:
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdoc.cfm?index=4515&type=1
(2.9 M pdf file)

Or:
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdoc.cfm?index=4515&type=3
(for a couple of Wordperfect files ??)

[legin]

8. I'm not exactly sure

that this can be such a high powered report.

In my local council I sort of noticed that the top managers of departments always seemed to do their work in the latest version of Word, whilst some people a lot further down the hirarchal ladder had to make do with WordPerfect 5.1.

Maybe just a subjective observation.

[legin]

10. Forget the above post

This is quite interesting reading so far

[cliss]

9. The li'l lunatics

have maxed out the credit cards. Time to call Ameridebt.