WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (AFP) - President George W. Bush will ask lawmakers for 400 million dollars to reward nations that took "political and economic risks" by backing US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the White House said Wednesday.
"This assistance will support nations that have deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other partners promoting freedom around the world," spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement announcing the request.
A formal request for the new funding, dubbed the "Solidarity Initiative to Support our Partners in Freedom," will come in the form of a supplemental budget request, according to McClellan.
An administration official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said that Bush's earlier pledge of 100 million dollars to help upgrade Poland's military would come from the overall fund.
"The Solidarity Initiative will assist nations such as Poland, which have taken political and economic risks in order to act on their convictions, to develop and sustain the capabilities needed to do so," said McClellan.
"Congress has consistently supported our partners in freedom in the past. We urge continued Congressional support for these partners in the future," the spokesman said.
02/09/2005 19:07 GMT - AFP