"Afghanistan serves as a reasonable model," Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle told reporters, saying that while the reconstruction of Afghan society and infrastructure is US-led, "you've seen a lot of other countries step up to the plate."

He made his comments as US politicians increasingly focus on the postwar reconstruction of Iraq and its expected astronomical costs.

Some US legislators have noted that many members of the "coalition of the willing" supporting the US-led war to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein are actually net recipients of US foreign aid, and not likely to provide much in the way of financial assistance to the reconstruction effort.

While not specifically saying he advocated a United Nations role in Iraqi reconstruction, the senator said that Washington will have to "invite and involve" its allies in rebuilding Iraq.

"I don't think we can foot the entire bill," Daschle added.

SPACE.WIRE