Washington, Feb 1, SPA -- President George W. Bush will proposethat families of U.S. troops killed in Iraq, Afghanistanand war zones of the future receive an extra US$250,000(¤191,790) in government payments. The plan, which includes retroactive payments to thespouses or surviving relatives of the more than 1,500 whohave died in Iraq and Afghanistan since October 2001, willbe part of the 2006 budget proposal submitted to Congressnext week, the Pentagon's personnel chief said. A tax-free "death gratuity," now US$12,420 (¤9,530),would grow to US$100,000 (¤76,720). The government wouldalso pay for US$150,000 (¤115,070) in life insurance fortroops. Veterans groups and many in Congress have beenpushing for such increases. "We think the nation ought to make a larger one-timepayment, quite apart from insurance, should you be killedin a combat area of operations," David Chu, theundersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, saidin an interview in his Pentagon office. "We can never in any program give someone back theirloved one," he added. "There is nothing we can do aboutthe hurt, to make it go away. But we can make yourcircumstances reasonable, in terms of finances." Chu was unveiling the administration's full proposal incongressional testimony Tuesday.--SPA1325 Local Time 1025 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/236039