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10/03/2008
War Costs Predicted To Rise
The costs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to reach more than £3 billion, a committee of MPs has warned.
The Commons Defence Committee said that the forecast for operational costs in both countries for this financial year is £3.297 billion, compared to £1.698 billion last year. This represents an increase of 94%.
Committee Chairman James Arbuthnot said: "Few people will object to the investment being made in better facilities and equipment for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"However, this estimate represents a lot of public money. The MoD needs to provide better information about what it is all being spent on."
Responding to the report, Liberal Democrats defence spokesperson Nick Harvey said: "This clearly shows how the Iraq war is continuing to bleed our finances dry, leaving soldiers in Afghanistan overstretched and under-equipped."
(KMcA)
The Commons Defence Committee said that the forecast for operational costs in both countries for this financial year is £3.297 billion, compared to £1.698 billion last year. This represents an increase of 94%.
Committee Chairman James Arbuthnot said: "Few people will object to the investment being made in better facilities and equipment for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"However, this estimate represents a lot of public money. The MoD needs to provide better information about what it is all being spent on."
Responding to the report, Liberal Democrats defence spokesperson Nick Harvey said: "This clearly shows how the Iraq war is continuing to bleed our finances dry, leaving soldiers in Afghanistan overstretched and under-equipped."
(KMcA)
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'Bin Laden' tape offers truce to Europeans
An audio tape purported to be from Osama Bin Laden, which has been broadcast on two Arabic language news channels, has offered a truce to European governments if they withdraw their troops from Islamic territories.
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