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Friday, May 25, 2007

White House OKs $1 billion in military supplies for Iraq

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has approved the sale of more than $1 billion in military supplies to Iraq.

The Defense Department has notified Congress that Iraq has requested medical supplies, equipment and training for its military and security forces. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale could reach nearly $1.05 billion.

Under the proposal, which requires approval by Congress, Iraq would receive a range of medical equipment, medicine, support and training. Officials said the procurement would be required to facilitate an Iraqi response to attacks on soldiers and civilians.

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[On Friday, the U.S. military reported the capture of an Iraqi insurgent who operated for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Middle East Newsline reported. The military said the insurgent, linked to the assembly of Iranian-origin explosively-formed penetrators, was captured in Baghdad's Sadr City.]

"This proposed sale would contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the U.S. by providing basic medical needs to Iraqi forces and, as necessary and appropriate, civilians who are casualties of ongoing conflict," the agency said on Thursday. "The medical supplies will help minimize the casualties sustained during military operations."

This was the latest in a series of Iraqi military requests to the administration in 2007. So far, Baghdad has asked for nearly $2 billion worth of munitions, explosives, light weapons and military infrastructure.

The agency did not identify potential contractors for the latest proposed project. Officials said any contract would not contain offset agreements.

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