Iraq, Afghan Wars Will Cost Up to $60B

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan probably will cost $55 billion to $60 billion next year if troop levels remain unchanged, not counting the expenses of rebuilding the two countries, Congress' budget analysts estimated Friday.

The projection by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is more than double the $25 billion President Bush has so far requested for the wars for 2005.

White House officials said early this year that they expected to spend up to $50 billion for the conflicts next year. Administration officials have since said they expect to seek more than that, with the next request coming after the November elections. They have specified no numbers.

Many members of Congress from both parties say they expect next year's war costs to be about $75 billion.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040625/D83EA6V80.html