But with other priorities, the United States can scarcely afford a stronger military presence in the region.

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That long, forced walk was going to steal valuable time in my day, time I could scarcely afford.

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But while he insists that educating people about how to plan for and respond to earthquakes is in some ways as important as improving buildings standards, he acknowledges that neither can be achieved without considerable financial outlay - something that a country like India can scarcely afford.

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