U.S. seeks more money for Afghan force

[unhappycamper]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-seeks-more-money-for-afghan-force/2012/03/26/gIQAxNs8eS_story.html




U.S. seeks more money for Afghan force
By Karen DeYoung, Published: March 27

The Obama administration has made an urgent appeal for international donors to pledge more money to pay for Afghanistan’s security forces after the departure of U.S. and coalition combat troops at the end of 2014.

In formal diplomatic demarches sent to 64 countries this month, and in direct appeals by President Obama and top national security aides, the administration has outlined a $4.1 billion annual budget for the Afghan army and police, according to U.S. and foreign officials.

The request for indefinite commitments comes as the United States and its partners in Afghanistan are under pressure to cut costs and end an increasingly unpopular war.

The administration hopes to secure the pledges before a NATO summit in Chicago in May. So far, however, there have been no specific replies to the funding appeals, an administration official said.