C-SPAN2 - 18 July 2006
In testimony before the Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday this week, John P Roth, Deputy Comptroller and Undersecretary of Defense stated:
"No one, neither the Secretary of Defense (Rumsfeld), anyone from his office, nor anyone from the Pentagon asked for a multi-year estimate of the cost of the war in Iraq."
He stated that he did arrive at a 12 month cost of 62.5 Billion for the first 12 months following the invasion.
However, he stated, there was never any initiative to establish a 2-5 year cost estimate involving various scenarios.
Congressman Kucinich, pressed him on the issues. "Did Secretary Rumsfeld ever ask you, John, How much will this war cost?"
Mr Roth answered no. Mr Roth maintains he only makes estimates based on requests. For example, he could make an estimate for maintaining for 12 months, an additional 10,000 soldiers in Iraq.
However, when asked if he had could make a 5 year estimate, including withdrawal logistics, he said yes. Could he make an estimate through 2010? Yes.
But did anyone ever ask you to do this? No.
Did anyone ask you to include VA costs in your estimate? No.
Brain injury costs? No.
VA Medical costs? No.
Veteran Disability costs? No.
Could you make estimates of demobilization costs? Yes.
Were you ever asked about interest on borrowing costs on the national debt? No.
Are you familiar with total cost estimates of 1 trillion through 2010 at the present rate, including health care, replenishment of material, social costs and interest? No.
Are you familiar with estimates of 2 trillion through 2015 at the present rate? No.
OK, so what are these guys smoking? Don't ask? Don't tell? An all new meaning.