WASHINGTON - Afghanistan's interim government is seeking US$22 billion over 10 years from international donors meeting in Japan next week, not US$45 billion as previously reported, the country's top diplomat in the United States told Reuters on Tuesday.

Charge d'Affaires Haron Amin said in a telephone interview that his government had estimated needs of US$45 billion over 20 years but was asking for US$22 billion for the first decade.

Amin's figure was still considerably higher than the one of US$15 billion projected in a joint study conducted by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program and reported by Reuters earlier on Tuesday.

"They are basing estimates on the whole notion of rhetoric versus delivery, based on past experience," Amin said, referring to the general principle that international donors typically promise more than they come up with in cash.

"Our figure is based on what is needed over 10 years," added Amin, who was spokesman for the Northern Alliance opposition to the Taliban until Washington and Kabul resumed diplomatic ties following the hard-line movement's ouster.

Ministers from donor countries including Secretary of State Colin Powell are due to gather in Tokyo on January 21-22, when governments will pledge money for rebuilding.

Funds are urgently needed to cover recurrent costs such as civil servants' salaries, as well as health, and education for children, especially for girls. - Nampa-Reuters