from http://www.guardian.co.uk -
So, if we spend this much money so the USA can get more oil does this mean that Bush will let Blair kiss his naked ass, rather than just through his trousers?
The financial cost of a war in Iraq is justified in order to deal with Saddam Hussein, Gordon Brown says. The Chancellor says his prudent handling of the economy means if military conflict goes ahead he will find the money to pay for it. A defence think-tank estimated last week that war in Iraq would cost the British taxpayer £3.5 billion - a figure which could rise.
The long-term costs of stabilising and rebuilding the nation after the conflict, in which Britain is likely to play a key role, could be more than £30 billion a year, says the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Chancellor says the international community will be happy to foot the bill for rebuilding Iraq as it has done in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
"We have always in difficult circumstances like these, whether it's been Kosovo or Afghanistan or whether domestically it's been foot-and-mouth and other emergencies that we did not expect, we've always had to find the money and make it available," Mr Brown told BBC1's Breakfast With Frost.
"One of the benefits of our new system in fiscal policy is that we are far more able to deal with these difficulties and emergencies as they arise. So we will find the money and it is necessary that we do."
The long-term costs of stabilising and rebuilding the nation after the conflict, in which Britain is likely to play a key role, could be more than £30 billion a year, says the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Chancellor says the international community will be happy to foot the bill for rebuilding Iraq as it has done in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
"We have always in difficult circumstances like these, whether it's been Kosovo or Afghanistan or whether domestically it's been foot-and-mouth and other emergencies that we did not expect, we've always had to find the money and make it available," Mr Brown told BBC1's Breakfast With Frost.
"One of the benefits of our new system in fiscal policy is that we are far more able to deal with these difficulties and emergencies as they arise. So we will find the money and it is necessary that we do."
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