ID :
190038
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 09:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/190038
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Libya intervention may cost hundreds of millions, UK admits
London, June 21, IRNA – The cost of Britain's military intervention in Libya could run 'into the hundreds of millions' of pounds for taxpayers, chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander has admitted.
'The campaign is costing tens of millions, potentially into the hundreds of millions as it goes on, but that money is coming from the reserve that we have set aside, precisely for contingencies such as this,' Alexander told Sky News on Sunday.
The UK government has shrouded the cost of the controversial intervention in secrecy, coming at a time of defence cuts and economic austerity that has left many asking if the country can really afford to be militarily involved after spending billions on the Afghan and Iraq war.
When the campaign started in March, the chancellor George Osborne said the cost would be 'in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions'.
But last month it was estimated that the cost to British taxpayers could reach as much as £1 billion if it continues into the autumn as expected, based on an assessment of the dozens of bombs dropped, hundreds of sorties flown and more than 1,000 service personnel deployed.
Francis Tusa, editor of the Defence Analysis newsletter, calculated that by the end of April Libyan operations had already cost the UK about £300m and that the bill was increasing by up to £38m a week.
Defending the escalating cost, Alexander insisted there is a “very powerful moral case” for the action and that it was “right that the United Kingdom is playing a leading role to protect Libyan civilians from the appalling activities of the Libyan government.”
The cost and the failure to oust Muammar Gadaffi from power has started to cause tensions in the consensus between the government and the opposition Labour Party about the UK's involvement.
"We support the mission in Libya, but the government need to be clearer on the costs," said shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy. 'It is worrying that Danny Alexander seems to be guessing about current costs, which are dramatically more than George Osborne originally predicted.” he said./end
'The campaign is costing tens of millions, potentially into the hundreds of millions as it goes on, but that money is coming from the reserve that we have set aside, precisely for contingencies such as this,' Alexander told Sky News on Sunday.
The UK government has shrouded the cost of the controversial intervention in secrecy, coming at a time of defence cuts and economic austerity that has left many asking if the country can really afford to be militarily involved after spending billions on the Afghan and Iraq war.
When the campaign started in March, the chancellor George Osborne said the cost would be 'in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions'.
But last month it was estimated that the cost to British taxpayers could reach as much as £1 billion if it continues into the autumn as expected, based on an assessment of the dozens of bombs dropped, hundreds of sorties flown and more than 1,000 service personnel deployed.
Francis Tusa, editor of the Defence Analysis newsletter, calculated that by the end of April Libyan operations had already cost the UK about £300m and that the bill was increasing by up to £38m a week.
Defending the escalating cost, Alexander insisted there is a “very powerful moral case” for the action and that it was “right that the United Kingdom is playing a leading role to protect Libyan civilians from the appalling activities of the Libyan government.”
The cost and the failure to oust Muammar Gadaffi from power has started to cause tensions in the consensus between the government and the opposition Labour Party about the UK's involvement.
"We support the mission in Libya, but the government need to be clearer on the costs," said shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy. 'It is worrying that Danny Alexander seems to be guessing about current costs, which are dramatically more than George Osborne originally predicted.” he said./end
