From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

Phil Payne wrote:
> http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/front2453976.1006944445.html
>
> "JERUSALEM - The government of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is
> considering a huge increase in the defense budget.
>
> Under a proposal relayed to Olmert and senior ministers, the defense budget
> would be increased by 30 billion shekels, or $6.8 billion, over the next
> three years. The current annual military budget is $7.7 billion."
>

A doubling of the defence budget would mean cuts all over the place in any
country. This is usually unpopular with the voters.

How much of this tab will the US pick up (or Israel is hoping it will pick up)?


> I must admit to being a little surprised that Israel needed resupplying
> after only a few days of such a limited conflict.  And that very resupply
> caused a fair bit of controversy - both the refueling of the flights and the
> US' investigation of what was undoubtedly illegal use of detuned cluster
> munitions.


Guided & cluster munitions are very expensive. Esp to "keep in stock".

>
> I think the Israelis might be a bit worried that it won't be quite that easy
> next time.  The proposed new "defence" budget will cripple
the economy,
> unless the USA steps up its blood money.
>

Yup. The question is what the money is to go on. If it is to develop
"systems" which US industry can "participate in" then
the cash can be transfered directly to Texas & Washington State
 California.

No need to invoke a major international cash transfer.

Adam

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5