OTTAWA - A U.S. congressional report estimates the bombardment of Libya has cost Washington between $400 million and $1 billion, but suggests the financial pressure will ease as allies, including Canada, take a greater role in enforcing the United Nations no-fly zone.
The study, dated Monday but released online on Wednesday, was a quick snapshot of the air war for an increasingly cost-conscious U.S. administration, which has been publicly eager to hand off control of the war to NATO.
The Congressional Research Service qualifies the assessment by saying the numbers remain "highly unpredictable because of uncertainty about the duration of the conflict" and how long American forces will remain involved.
"U.S. costs of continued enforcement of a no-fly zone might be quite limited, since Libyan air operations appear to have ceased," said the 33-page report.
"U.S. expenses for maintaining a no-fly zone would be further constrained if allies carry out most of the ongoing air operations."
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http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/libyan-air-war-costs-could-reach-1-billion-for-us-canada-mum-on-cf-18-price-tag-118948649.html