Tokyo — The United States will pledge $290 million in reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan, a Bush administration official said Monday.
The figure was to be announced at an international conference on rebuilding the war-torn nation.
More than 60 countries are gathered in Tokyo for two days of talks on ways to rebuild Afghanistan after 23 years of devastating warfare.
The United Nations, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have said $1.7 billion would be needed for the first year.
The U.S. pledge represents about 17 percent of that total.
Among those attending is Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai, who along with Secretary of State Colin Powell was to address the gathering.
At a briefing Sunday, U.S. officials, speaking on the condition they not be identified, said the American efforts in Afghanistan would focus on rural development, education and removing land mines.
Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.
While U.S. officials said the $290 million figure may not seem generous given Afghanistan's need, they pointed out that the United States has spent $4.5 billion on the war effort in the country since early October.
Powell is on the final leg of a five-nation tour that included a five-hour stop in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he promised Karzi that America's commitment to the country is longterm.
Powell's diplomacy also included a major effort at easing tensions between Pakistan and India, nuclear powers on the brink of war.
The United Nation says the cost of rebuilding Afghanistan's infrastructure and getting the government up and running could reach as much as $15 billion over the next 10 years.
Top priorities included returning law and order to the largely lawless country.
Health care, education, infrastructure and clearing land mines are also expected to head the agenda at the conference, organized by Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union.
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