WASHINGTON, April 30, 2008
Congress Urged Not To Slash Iraq Funding
White House Warns Cutting Aid, Despite Iraq's Anticipated $70B Oil Revenue, Could Prolong War
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(CBS)
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Interactive Iraq: 5 Years At War Five years after the U.S.-led invasion, the war wears on.
The Bush administration did not slam the door on proposals in Congress that would insist Iraq do more to pay for its rebuilding efforts. In the meantime, independent investigators conclude in a report that substantial U.S. support continues despite Baghdad's anticipated $70 billion windfall in oil revenues.
The soaring cost of fuel prices and duration of the war have spurred the latest effort in Congress to get the Iraqis to pay more toward rebuilding efforts. Democrats and even some Republicans say American taxpayers are footing too much of the bill, including an expensive and painfully slow operation to train and equip Baghdad's security forces.
"There's going to have to be some honest-to-goodness pressure" to get the Iraqis to take charge, said Rep. Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "We can't be there forever."
Administration officials are concerned that cutting U.S. aid, particularly for rebuilding Iraq's security forces, would only slow the war effort and delay the homecoming of troops.
"We're funding things that are in our interest to fund, that help us meet our goals and that we can do in the most efficient way," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.
There are certain projects "that in the interest of speed and efficiency to accomplish our mission, it's better for us to spend the money," he said.
Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, the president's war adviser on Iraq and Afghanistan, met on Capitol Hill behind closed doors Monday with three senators - Republican Susan Collins of Maine and Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Evan Bayh of Indiana - who have proposed a prohibition on spending for major reconstruction projects.
Their proposal also would require the Iraqis to pay for the training and equipping of its security forces and to reimburse the U.S. military for the estimated $153 million a month it spends on fuel in combat operations in Iraq.
"We obviously didn't see eye to eye on everything," Collins said after the meeting. But the administration seemed "open to some of it," she said.
Quote
One issue under discussion, Collins said, is which type of reconstruction projects would qualify as "major" and therefore be prohibited.There is much that needs to be done in Iraq, (and) the Iraqi government needs to do it.
Stuart W. Bowen Jr., special inspector general for Iraq reconstructionOn Tuesday, Lute met with Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona. Graham and Lieberman have publicly expressed support for similar legislation.
Fratto declined to comment on the discussions or specific legislative proposals but said there is much common ground between White House and Congress.
"I think we're in the same place in that the Iraqis should be doing more," Fratto said. "But I think people are neglecting the fact that they (the Iraqis) really are doing more."
In congressional testimony this month, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, declared that "the era of U.S. major infrastructure projects is over" - a claim validated by independent investigators.
According to the latest quarterly report by Stuart W. Bowen Jr., special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, the U.S. is no longer the "prime mover" in major bricks-and-mortar construction efforts, and Iraq is expanding its budget this year to assume more responsibility of such projects.
But the U.S. continues to provide substantial financial aid to smaller, local projects, as well as rebuilding efforts aimed at improving security, the report states. In fact, the U.S. still has some $10 billion - out of the $46 billion approved by Congress since 2003 - to spend on reconstruction and relief projects. Most of that money is expected to provide Iraqi forces with training, equipment and new facilities, according to the study, which was released on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the investigators estimate that Iraq's oil revenues will top $70 billion this year - twice what was initially expected. If oil prices stay high and the revenues produce a surplus, Iraq has promised to revise its annual budget and spend more.
Bowen said in an interview Tuesday that the Iraqis are taking on more responsibility on rebuilding efforts, but that lawmakers' concerns are still well founded. Last year, Baghdad spent half of its capital budget, he estimated.
"That's not enough. There is much that needs to be done in Iraq, (and) the Iraqi government needs to do it," Bowen said.
In a letter to Congress released Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates defended the Pentagon's latest plans to spend more than $400 million on certain infrastructure improvements for Iraqi security forces. Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, had complained that such spending shouldn't be a U.S. responsibility, particularly in light of Iraq's expected oil surplus this year.
Gates responded by agreeing to block $171 million for police station construction. But the remaining $419 million for other infrastructure improvements and $20 million for training was warranted, he told Levin.
"I heard the committee loud and clear on the need for Iraq to pay for economic reconstruction and civilian infrastructure," Gates wrote. But helping the Iraqi security forces "to transition our troops to a different mission continues to be paramount."
In other developments:
Associated Press count.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add a Comment See all 78 Comments
- AND I AM READY, ALREADY LOCK AND LOADED..READY TO TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 02:46 PM : Apr 30, 2008
+ report abuse
I''''m with you, Brother.
All my family''''s weapons are ready for action and enough ammo to let them know we were there.
I pity the fools.
Watch what you say in public, they are collecting information of all those who possibly can be terrorists in this country. If you are a threat in any way you are a terrorist, I hope you are on a public computer! If you have a registered gun you will be deemed as a threat to the US and will be arrested if your firearms are not handed over!
Remember this is CBS, Columbia Broadcasting System. The EYE of RAH the sun God, Masonic symbol, Columbia faction masonry. - Reply to this comment
- The Number represents oil imports in the month of December 2007 so tell me why are we thier in iraq??? and why are complaining to opec, looks like more from canada and mexico isn''''t that far behind, oh ya, we do like getting f/u/c/k/ by our freinds dont we
CANADA 2,326
SAUDI ARABIA 1,686
VENEZUELA 1,382
MEXICO 1,322
NIGERIA 1,271
ALGERIA 600
ANGOLA 439
IRAQ 378
VIRGIN ISLANDS 369
RUSSIA 287
ECUADOR 201
UNITED KINGDOM 179
BRAZIL 178
KUWAIT 158
LIBYA 138
Oil might not come directly from them, they could just be a middleman that brought the oil and then sold it to the U.S. Especially since our dollar is so weak they can buy it and turn around sell it to us for a profit! - Reply to this comment
- The Number represents oil imports in the month of December 2007 so tell me why are we thier in iraq??? and why are complaining to opec, looks like more from canada and mexico isn''t that far behind, oh ya, we do like getting f/u/c/k/ by our freinds dont we
CANADA 2,326
SAUDI ARABIA 1,686
VENEZUELA 1,382
MEXICO 1,322
NIGERIA 1,271
ALGERIA 600
ANGOLA 439
IRAQ 378
VIRGIN ISLANDS 369
RUSSIA 287
ECUADOR 201
UNITED KINGDOM 179
BRAZIL 178
KUWAIT 158
LIBYA 138 - Reply to this comment
- AND I AM READY, ALREADY LOCK AND LOADED..READY TO TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY
------------------------------------------------------
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 02:46 PM : Apr 30, 2008
+ report abuse
I''m with you, Brother.
All my family''s weapons are ready for action and enough ammo to let them know we were there.
I pity the fools. - Reply to this comment
- Congress Urged Not To Slash Iraq Funding
White House Warns Cutting Aid, Despite Iraq''s Anticipated $70B Oil Revenue, Could Prolong War
Don''t worry, Shrub. They''ve been pre-purchased just like all the rest of you Scumbags.....
Feel free to break the Rule of Law all you want and continue to wipe your asss with the Constitution.
Nothing will happen. All activities related to the welfare of the citizenry have been taken off the table. Just ask Nancy. - Reply to this comment
- White House Warns Cutting Aid, Despite Iraq''s Anticipated $70B Oil Revenue, Could Prolong War?
Does the Whitehouse think we are braindead? My question for those that still support this president is as follows...
How can you tell when Bush is telling a lie?
The answer is his lips are moving. - Reply to this comment
- PEOPLE - - BEGIN TO RESEARCH and PROBE THIS ! ! ! !
SPECIAL "CLOSED SESSION" OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Word has begun leaking from last nights special,
Closed-door session of the United States House of Representatives.
Not only did members discuss new surveillance provisions as was the publicly stated
Reason for the closed door session, they also discussed :
1. The Imminent Collapse of the U.S. economy to occur by September 2008
2. The imminent collapse of US federal government finances by February 2009
3. The possibility of Civil War inside the USA as a result of the collapse
4. Advance round-ups of "insurgent U.S. citizens" likely to move against the Government
5. The Detention of those rounded-up at "REX 84" camps constructed throughout the USA,
6. The possibility of retaliation against members of Congress for the collapses
7. The Location of "safe facilities" for members of Congress and their families
To reside during expected massive civil unrest
8. The necessary and unavoidable merger of the United States with Canada
(for its natural resources) and with Mexico (for its cheap labor pool)
9. The issuance of a new currency - THE AMERO -
For all three nations as the proposed solution to the coming economic armageddon.
Members of Congress Have Been FORBIDDEN to reveal what was discussed
Several are so furious and concerned about the future of the country,
they have begun leaking info. - Reply to this comment
- m extremists HAte we are providing democracy and freedom to Iraq and the middle east, the 12 MILLION IRAQI''''''''''''''''s that voted for freedom DO NOT hate us.
notblue
***************************************
I think people need to get their information from somewhere else besides Rush Limbaugh. If anyone thinks they are informed by listening to him, then we are in big trouble. There is less "freedom" in Iraq now than there was during Saddam. Christians can not stay in the country, they are being murdered. Woman''s rights have been set back 100 years. Hopefully the Bush propoganda machine is running out of steam, because 80pct of Americans want us out of Iraq now. - Reply to this comment
- We''re funding things that are in our interest to fund, that help us meet our goals and that we can do in the most efficient way," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.
There are certain projects "that in the interest of speed and efficiency to accomplish our mission, it''s better for us to spend the money," he said.
You BIMBOS are talking about OUR money!! It''s better for YOU to spend it?? Funding things in YOUR interest? Did WE get to vote on this any of this?
I don''t know about the rest of you, but I''d like to be the one to decide where my money goes!! - Reply to this comment
- AND I AM READY, ALREADY LOCK AND LOADED..READY TO TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY
- Reply to this comment
- HEY BE EASY 63, GOOGLE THIS( REX 84). AND START LEARNING
- Reply to this comment
- PEOPLE - - BEGIN TO RESEARCH and PROBE THIS ! ! ! !
SPECIAL "CLOSED SESSION" OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
W..
1. The Imminent Collapse of the U.S. economy to occur by September 2008
2. The imminent collapse of US federal government finances by February 2009
3. The possibility of Civil War inside the USA as a result of the collapse
4. Advance round-ups of "insurgent U.S. citizens" likely to move against the Government
5. The Detention of those rounded-up at "REX 84" camps constructed throughout the USA,
6. The possibility of retaliation against members of Congress for the collapses
7. The Location of "safe facilities" for members of Congress and their families
To reside during expected massive civil unrest
8. The necessary and unavoidable merger of the United States with Canada
(for its natural resources) and with Mexico (for its cheap labor pool)
9. The issuance of a new currency - THE AMERO -
For all three nations as the proposed solution to the coming economic armageddon.
Members of Congress Have Been FORBIDDEN to reveal what was discussed
Several are so furious and concerned about the future of the country,
they have begun leaking info.
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 02:11 PM : Apr 30, 2008
Either you are truly crazy...or you are going to be one of the first people "rounded up" Get a grip, dude. - Reply to this comment
- PEOPLE - - BEGIN TO RESEARCH and PROBE THIS ! ! ! !
SPECIAL "CLOSED SESSION" OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Word has begun leaking from last nights special,
Closed-door session of the United States House of Representatives.
Not only did members discuss new surveillance provisions as was the publicly stated
Reason for the closed door session, they also discussed :
1. The Imminent Collapse of the U.S. economy to occur by September 2008
2. The imminent collapse of US federal government finances by February 2009
3. The possibility of Civil War inside the USA as a result of the collapse
4. Advance round-ups of "insurgent U.S. citizens" likely to move against the Government
5. The Detention of those rounded-up at "REX 84" camps constructed throughout the USA,
6. The possibility of retaliation against members of Congress for the collapses
7. The Location of "safe facilities" for members of Congress and their families
To reside during expected massive civil unrest
8. The necessary and unavoidable merger of the United States with Canada
(for its natural resources) and with Mexico (for its cheap labor pool)
9. The issuance of a new currency - THE AMERO -
For all three nations as the proposed solution to the coming economic armageddon.
Members of Congress Have Been FORBIDDEN to reveal what was discussed
Several are so furious and concerned about the future of the country,
they have begun leaking info. - Reply to this comment
- In Washington, the State Department said . ``
Bush is under growing American pressure to crack down on militants at the Afghan border because of fears that al-Qaida is regrouping there.
The Bush administration has also not ruled out unilateral military action inside america but like Obama, has stressed the need to work with the americans.
An aide to the president, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, bush was due to meet with Cabinet members , the attorney-general and leaders from the ruling party on Thursday to discuss whether an emergency should be declared.
He did not expect a declaration of an emergency in the early hours of Thursday.
A senior government official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said bush had held several meetings Wednesday with, legal experts and top figures of the ruling party and the leaking of possible emergency plans indicated that it was a serious option.
Under our constitution, the head of state - the president - may declare a state of emergency if it is deemed that the country''''s security is ``threatened by war or external aggression, or by internal disturbance beyond'''''''' the government''''s authority to control.
If a state of emergency is to be extended beyond two months, it must be approved by a joint sitting of, the constitution says.
------ - Reply to this comment
- United States May Declare State of Emergency
Associated Press Writer
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) %u2013 The whitehouse government of embattled President bush said Thursday it may impose a state of emergency due to ``external and internal threats'''' and deteriorating law and order.
including from Democratic presidential hopeful Barak Obama, over the possibility of U.S. military action against al-Qaida in Pakistan ``has started alarm bells ringing and has upset the Pakistani public.But it appeared the motivation for a declaration of an emergency would be the domestic political woes of
President bush
During a state of emergency, the government can restrict the freedom to move, rally, engage in political activities or form groups and impose other limits such as restricting congress right to make laws or even dissolving congress
``These are only unconfirmed reports although the possibility of imposition of emergency cannot be ruled out and has recently been talked about and discussed, keeping in mind some external and internal threats and the law and order situation,bush told The Associated Press.
``I cannot say that it will be tonight, tomorrow or later. We hope that it does not happen. But we are going through difficult circumstances so the possibility of an emergency cannot be ruled out,he added.
America television networks reported that a declaration of an emergency was imminent, but other senior government officials said no final decision had been made. - Reply to this comment
- m extremists HAte we are providing democracy and freedom to Iraq and the middle east, the 12 MILLION IRAQI''''''''s that voted for freedom DO NOT hate us.
notblue
LOL, yeah thats show by how Rove, Bush, condosleazy Rice and all the rest have to SNEAK into the country on "surprise" visits while the president of IRAN was given a full welcoming committee and ceremony, oh but they all LOVE us to pieces over there!!!
Let''s forget that we systematically killed tens to hundreds of thousands of civilians, including children and unarmed people and that very one of those people have FAMILY directly affected, and who hate our guts because WE killed their uncle, father, brother, sister, mother, cousin, son, daughters.
If a chinese army came here to change OUR Govt and "accidentally" caused the death of your parents and wiped out your home because they blasted the house next door to yours, you''d be the first to pick up a weapon against them in revenge- just as the Iraqi people do. - Reply to this comment
- Has bush ever said what "our" goals for Iraq are, other than stay as long as possible or a little longer?
- Reply to this comment
- Has bush ever said what "our" goals for Iraq are, other than stay as long as possible or a little longer?
- Reply to this comment
- notblue, You are a lousy 20% er...you have never stated any facts...it is obvious your goal is to defend the Bush admin. Holy *** that would get tiresome supporting a liar...must be some reason you do it? and dont claim patiotism, I will fall out of my chair...
Posted by jocro12 at 12:44 PM : Apr 30, 2008
to support a liar like Bush or other known huge liars--one has to also be a liar--because supporters have to keep lying to themselves about why they support them in the first place. LOL - Reply to this comment
- As a tax paying citizen i want funding cut, and i want the troops home now. I don''t care what it will look like if we pull out. This is not a failure of our troops or America. It is a failure of Bush and his administration, and who cares how bad they look?
- Reply to this comment
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