Wolfowitz: Iraq, Afghan costs could top $50B

Pentagon had said $ 25B request would come after elections

The Bush administration's next request for financing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will push next year's total beyond $50 billion, a top Pentagon official told Congress on Thursday.

The remark by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz put a partial price tag on operations in both countries for the budget year that begins next October 1.

The administration has long insisted it will not be able to accurately estimate those costs for many months because of uncertainties over conditions in Iraq and possible contributions by allies.

President Bush had formally sought an initial $25 billion for next year's military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Administration officials notified congressional leaders about the request a week earlier, abruptly reversing earlier declarations that they would not seek the money until after the November elections.

On Thursday, Wolfowitz told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the administration's second request for funds will come early next year.

"It will surely be much larger than $25 billion," he said.

That would bring the total requested so far for next year to over $50 billion. Many lawmakers of both parties have said they believe even that figure will ultimately prove short by many billions of dollars.

Bush's initial request for $25 billion would give him nearly unfettered control over details of how the money would be spent, which drew fire from senators.