November 5, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 9, 1424

WASHINGTON, Nov 4: US President Bush on Tuesday welcomed a final congressional approval of legislation to provide 87.5 billion dollars to support security operations and rebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that he would sign the bill.

“These resources, coupled with the growing assistance of international donors, will provide essential support to make Iraq more secure and to help the Iraqi people transition to self-government.

‘‘The funds will also enable us to continue our efforts to help Afghanistan become a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation that contributes to regional stability,” said Mr Bush.

The US Senate completed action on the bill on Monday, following House passage on Oct 31. Most of the money is for the current fiscal year, which began on Oct 1.

The legislation largely conforms to the amount Mr Bush requested in September. It provides 65.75 billion dollars for continuing military operations and security-related matters in Iraq and Afghanistan, up slightly from the total sought by the president.

It provides 18.649 billion dollars for reconstruction work in Iraq, 1.7 billion dollars below the administration request, and 1.2 billion dollars for Afghanistan.

Government circles in Washington are interpreting the passage of the bill as a victory for President Bush.

During Monday evening’s debate in Congress, Republicans defended the package as the best way to restore order in Iraq.

“Security brings stability, and stability fosters democracy,” said the Senate appropriations committee chairman, Ted Stevens of Alaska, who helped write the bill. That, he said, “offers the fastest way to get our military men and women home.”

Democrats were less charitable. Many Democrats said what was really needed were more contribution of troops and money from US allies.

“The administration’s lack of post-war planning for Iraq is producing an erratic, chaotic situation on the ground with little hope for a quick turnaround,” said Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

“We appear to be lurching from one assault on our troops to the next while making little if any headway in stabilising or improving security in the country.”

In addition, the Senate minority leader, Tom Daschle, and four other senior Democrats wrote to Mr. Bush urging him to work harder to get help from other countries and mobilise former Iraqi army units.

They said those and other steps would help in “securing and sustaining the support of the American people”, as would “levelling with them about the stakes and costs of this effort.”