Bush requests $82 billion supplemental

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- President Bush Monday asked Congress for $81.9 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing war on terror, as well as humanitarian crises worldwide.

"My request will provide funds needed to repair, refurbish, and procure equipment needed by the Armed Forces to win the war on terror," Bush said in a letter to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.

Bush said the funds would be used to support the military and intelligence operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including establishing an embassy in Iraq.

Funds also would be used to help the crisis in Darfur, Sudan; to help Palestinians establish a democratic state; to fund $950 million for relief from the Dec. 26 tsunami; to help democratization in Ukraine; and $780 million for general peacekeeping missions.

The money would be in addition to more than $400 billion Bush requested for defense funding in the 2005 budget.