NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — pre-invasion — warplan — Viewing Item

War cost estimates wrong Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/congress_iraq_2 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/congress_iraq_2 Yahoo! News Thu, Feb 27, 2003 Middle East - AP Dems Angry Over Iraq War Cost Estimates By KEN GUGGENHEIM, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - House Democrats lashed out at a top defense official Thursday over the Bush administration's refusal to provide any cost estimates of a war against Iraq. "I think you are deliberately keeping us in the dark," Rep. James Moran, D-Va., told Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. "We are finding out far more from the newspapers than we are from you in testimony." Wolfowitz appeared before the House Budget Committee to discuss the administration's $379.9 billion proposed defense budget for next year. The budget does not include the costs of a possible war, which would likely be funded by a midyear spending bill. Administration officials and congressional aides, speaking on condition of anonymity, have estimated war costs at $60 billion to $100 billion or more, but the administration has declined to comment publicly. Wolfowitz said the costs would depend on many factors, including how long the war lasts, what kind of weapons are used, and the assistance provided by U.S. allies. And, he noted, "some small chance" remains that the United States won't go to war. "Every time we go in a briefing on the war plan, it immediately goes down six different branches of what a scenario might look like," Wolfowitz said. "And if we costed every single one of them, we'd maybe give you a range between $10 billion and $100 billion and you'd say that's useless and you'd be right." The committee's top Democrat, Rep. John Spratt of South Carolina, said Congress needed some guidance as it considers next year's budget and President Bush (news - web sites)'s tax cut proposal. He questioned Wolfowitz about reports that Bush was briefed on war costs Tuesday. Wolfowitz said there had been a meeting, but he didn't attend. Spratt asked about assistance from other nations. Wolfowitz said he expects a lot of contributions after the war, including from nations that oppose military action. "It will be easier after the fact instead of before the fact," he said. Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., questioned whether the Wolfowitz was waiting for the war begin to provide cost estimates. She called on Wolfowitz to offer at least a range. "I think you can do better than that." Wolfowitz replied, "There will be an appropriate point when we give you number and assumptions that go with the numbers and the assumptions may, probably, prove not correct. We are not in a position to do that right now."

800 missiles 48 hours { January 26 2003 } Delayed 2003 { November 1 2002 } Drop ebombs first night Inspections delay iraq overthrow { November 15 2002 } Israel intercepts march 18 war start { March 11 2003 } Large air assault { March 17 2003 } Massive march iraq attack Moab massive explosive Plans heavy bombing campaign { March 5 2003 } Ready within days { March 6 2003 } Shock iraq into surrender { March 5 2003 } Troops told march17 invasion Us ready three weeks { February 22 2003 } Us to use illegal bio weapons War before christmas War cost estimates wrong War pushed mid march { February 20 2003 } Within weeks { January 24 2003 } Files Listed: 18

Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security Archives

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.