This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7092053.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Hidden costs 'raise US war price' | Hidden costs 'raise US war price' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing nearly double the amount previously thought, according to a report by Democrats in the US Congress. | |
They say "hidden costs" have pushed the total to $1.5 trillion - almost twice the requested $804bn (£402bn). | |
Higher oil prices, treating wounded veterans, and the cost to the economy of pulling reservists away from their jobs have been taken into account. | |
Republicans have not yet commented officially on the report. | |
'Lost earnings' | 'Lost earnings' |
The report was written by Democratic members of the Congress's Joint Economic Committee. | |
READ THE FULL REPORT War at any price? [661KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
They calculate that between 2002 and 2008 the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan will have cost the average US family of four about $20,900. | |
The report adds that the amount could rise to $46,400 over the next decade. | |
It also says the funding is diverting investment away from US businesses. | |
The Democratic authors included the costs of treating wounded veterans and mounting interest payments on money borrowed to finance the wars. | The Democratic authors included the costs of treating wounded veterans and mounting interest payments on money borrowed to finance the wars. |
They estimate that treating veterans could add more than $30bn to war costs, including disability payments and lost earnings for veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. | |