“It’s probably at this point somewhere in the ballpark of $750 million.”-Robert Gates, U.S. Defense Secretary
Pentagon officials originally said the operation against the Libyan government, would cost $604 million. Now Pentagon officials predict the ongoing war will cost U.S. taxpayers $40 million per month, if it doesn’t escalate.
Libyan state TV showed video of Gaddafi meeting with tribal leaders.
On April 30, Gaddafi’s youngest son, and three grand children were killed by a NATO airstrike. Italian media has been speculating that Gaddafi was also killed, because he stopped making public appearances.
Libyan TV did not give a date for when the video of Gaddafi was made. Hours after the video was aired NATO bombed Tripoli.
Russian officials are meeting with Iraqi officials, to discuss deals that include oil and military.
Russian oil companies are already involved with oil production in Iraq. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, says Iraq is now interested in military help from Russia.
Lavrov is meeting with various Iraqi leaders this week.
Ever since the supposed raid to kill bin Laden was announced, oil prices have been falling. In fact, May 5, oil is about $99.00 per barrel for WTI.
Guess what, now there’s a huge leak in a big oil pipeline in Alberta, Canada. How convenient. Not only that, but officials who control the Plains Midstream pipeline claim the leak started on April 29! So far, 4.5 million liters (1.2 million gallons) of oil has leaked out.
The Iranian oil producer, Iranian Offshore Oil Company, says their engineers have designed the world’s first drilling rig, that can operate both on shore, and off shore.
Once the rig becomes operational some 8,000-10,000 barrels of oil per day could be pumped. It’ll operate in Iran’s Salman oilfields.
Syria and Venezuela operate a joint refinery in Alfrekls in the Syrian state of Homs. Iran now wants to increase its role in the operation of the refinery.
Iran currently owns 26% of the Alfrekls refinery, which can produce 140,000 barrels of oil per day. Iran has expressed a desire to increase its investments in the refinery.
U.S. led NATO warplanes bombed Libyan rebels, yet again.
Dr Hasan Malitan, who witnessed the accident, said Wednesday’s air strike hit a building where the rebels were holed up, killing 12 of them. This is at least the third time NATO has bombed the very people they’re supposed to be supporting.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is going to use a loophole in the sanctions against Libya, to oversee oil sales by the rebels.
That means the U.S. will be directly involved in all oil deals will the Libyan rebels.
This is on top of the $25 million in aid Obama is sending, and on top of another $45 million Obama already sent. Just remember that Obama, and Congress, wants to cut your taxpayer funded domestic programs, while sending your money to Libya.
The German EUFOR plan is not finalized, and will be refined as the situation demands.
1: The European Union force (EUFOR) will operate seaports and airports, to evacuate civilians and bring relief supplies into the country. In addition, protect aid agencies and supply them with fuel.
2: A maximum of four months is expected to reach full operational capability.
3: Risk assessment for EUFOR troops is High to Critical. Terrorist attacks, mine and bomb attacks, similar to Iraq and Afghanistan.
4: The “Joint Operation Area” refers to Libya’s borders with Sudan, Niger, Chad, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria. In other words the EUFOR will be patrolling all of Libya’s land borders.
5: Current plans for EUFOR involves, but not limited to, several company sized elements (about 80-100 people each company). Will include specialists in demining, combat diver, air traffic controllers, and rescue operations for the evacuation of injured soldiers or downed pilots.
6: Other elements used for operation to include escort ships, helicopters, amphibious vehicles and mobile clinics. EUFOR soldiers will be issued an initial supply of 23 days of rations and ammunition.
German newspaper Bild, has revealed plans for European Forces (EUFOR) ground troops in Libya. The plans are described as a 60 page “humanitarian” operation on the ground.
Germany will be in charge of the proposed four month operation. No troop numbers are given. German Defense Minister, Thomas de Maizière, says the situation is still to tense to send in ground forces, but they expect a similar situation as in Iraq and Afghanistan; IED, mines, small attacks by tribes.
De Maizière also says the European Union asked for such a plan earlier in April.