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Skriven 2006-02-16 23:33:28 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0602166) for Thu, 2006 Feb 16
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Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 16, 2006

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives


˙˙˙˙˙Fact Sheet: President Requests $72.4 Billion for the Global War on
Terror
˙˙˙˙˙In Focus: National Security

February 16, 2006

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Today, I am submitting a request for Fiscal Year 2006 supplemental
appropriations of $72.4 billion for ongoing military and intelligence
operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring
Freedom, and selected other international activities. These funds support
U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition partners as we advance democracy, fight the
terrorists and insurgents, and train and equip Iraqi security forces so
that they can defend their sovereignty and freedom. Already more than 35
Iraqi battalions have assumed control of their own areas of responsibility.
This request provides the resources necessary to continue that effort so
the Coalition can continue to hand over control of more territory to Iraqi
forces.

In Afghanistan, our Armed Forces continue to track down terrorists, help
the Afghan people rebuild their country, and train and equip Afghan
security forces so that Afghanistan may continue to take control of its
democratic future. Our coalition has trained many thousands of Afghan
soldiers and police. These forces are risking their lives to fight our
common enemy. This request provides the resources necessary to continue the
train and equip effort so Afghan forces can eventually provide for the
security of their own citizens.

The request includes funds to confront the threat from Improvised Explosive
Devices and to improve the protection of our forces. In addition, the
request addresses the need for substantial investment to repair or replace
equipment worn out or lost in military operations. It also provides
additional funding to cover the costs of restructuring the Army and Marine
Corps into more agile, self-sustaining units that provide increased combat
effectiveness critical to winning the Global War on Terror.

The request includes bonuses and incentive pay to properly compensate
American troops for the sacrifices they make in defense of freedom. It also
includes funds to cover enhanced benefits for survivors of all military
members and provides for newly authorized benefits for those injured in
combat.

The request also provides funds for the extraordinary security and
operating costs associated with supporting U.S. diplomatic activity in Iraq
and Afghanistan.

The request includes funds to help create political and economic stability
in post-conflict areas, help Iraqis protect and sustain their
infrastructure, and build Iraqi capacity at the national and provincial
levels for better, more responsive, and transparent governance. The request
also supports the successful Commander's Emergency Response program that
enables military commanders to respond to urgent, small-scale, humanitarian
relief and reconstruction needs in their area of responsibility. These
counter-insurgency and stabilization activities help build civilian
capabilities to ensure the transition to greater Iraqi self-reliance.
Coupling increased civilian capacity with increased military capacity is
essential to sustained progress in all realms -- security, political, and
economic -- and is essential to neutralizing the insurgents and defeating
the terrorists.

Finally, the supplemental requests funds for urgent, unanticipated needs to
help relieve human suffering associated with a number of humanitarian
crises, including Sudan and other parts of Africa, assistance for refugees,
and the costs of humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in response
to the devastating earthquake in Pakistan. The request also includes
funding to address urgent democracy-promotion activities in Iran.

I hereby designate the specific proposals in the amounts requested herein
as emergency requirements. This request reflects urgent and essential
requirements. I ask the Congress to appropriate the funds as requested and
promptly send the bill to me for signature. The details of the request are
set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

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