WASHINGTON -
Cheney said.
Amid a rising U.S. casualty count in Iraq and continuing attacks and other resistance, the administration has faced criticism for its postwar strategy. Democratic presidential candidates and others have said too little planning was done on how to rebuild the country and how to pay for it.
The White House says it will soon ask Congress to approve the $87 billion for military and reconstruction activities both in Iraq and in Afghanistan, with the bulk of the request earmarked for Iraq. That too has come under severe question in Congress.
Asked by reporters if that would be the final such request, Cheney replied, I can't say that. It's all we think we'll need for the foreseeable future for this year.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld would not go even that far. He said consultations are underway with lawmakers, and how long the $87 billion will last has not been determined.
It's a process that's being handled by the president and the Office of Management and Budget ; Rumsfeld said. I think that after those consultations with Congress
we'll have the answer to your question.
