Extra civilians in Afghanistan cost $2 billion

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Extra civilians in Afghanistan cost $2 billion

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Extra US civilians to Afghanistan to help with development projects cost $2 billion.

09 September,2011 01:06 am

It cost nearly $2 billion over the past two years to send hundreds of extra US civilians to Afghanistan to help with development projects, the economy and training Afghan government officials, a US government report said.Figuring out future costs will be a challenge amid US budget uncertainties and because it is not known exactly how many civilians will be needed in Afghanistan as troops are drawn down, the report said. It was done jointly by offices of the State Department inspector general and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.Civilians from the departments of State, Agriculture, Justice and other agencies increased to 1,040 in June from 320 in early 2009, the report said. The boost was a key element in efforts to improve the Afghans ability to govern themselves.State and other agencies are likely to experience increased costs related to an expanded civilian presence in Afghanistan, and State faces significant challenges in planning to address these costs, the report said.It said the militarys withdrawal probably will lead to more costs for the State Department as it assumes some vital security activities now done by troops and opens new consulates.