U.S. will seek $2.22 bln military aid for Israel

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03209917.htm

WASHINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The United States will ask Congress to give Israel $2.22 billion in military assistance in the fiscal year 2005, $60 million more than in 2004, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday.

The increase is in line with a 1990s agreement which reduces economic assistance to Israel by $120 million a year while adding $60 million a year to the military component of the package, the largest Washington gives to any country.

The statement, issued after talks in Israel last Wednesday and Thursday between senior U.S. and Israeli officials, said the Bush administration was committed to enhancing Israel's security and "maintaining Israel's qualitative edge over any combination of adversaries".

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