Confusion Over Cost Search Planes Appears MH370
Head of the Joint Coordination Centre Australia, Angus Houston said they were still negotiating about sharing the costs with Malaysia.
CANBERRA - The countries involved in the search for the missing plane Malaysia Airlines have not agreed on how to split the cost, according to the search team leader from Australia, Tuesday (10/6).
Malaysian officials were there in the Australian capital, Canberra, to discuss the next phase in the bottom of the sea to search for the jet's flight MH370, which allegedly crashed in the Indian Ocean on March 8, with 239 passengers and crew in it.
Malaysia is responsible for the search for the Boeing 777 was registered in the country. However, Australia's nearest neighbors coordinate the search as the location where the plane supposedly crashed. Most of the passengers are Chinese citizens and their governments play an active role in the search.
"We are still negotiating about sharing the costs with, for example, Malaysia," said the head of the Joint Coordination Centre Australia, Angus Houston, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television stations.
A search on the seabed using unmanned submarines controlled remotely, ended last month without finding traces of the plane.
Australia contracted private operators to search a much larger use of powerful sonar equipment. The new search is expected to run more than eight months.
The Australian Government is expected to spend A $ 90 million (U.S. $ 84 million) for the search in July 2015. Yet the actual cost to be borne Australia will depend on how quickly the wreckage can be found and how large contributions of other countries.
Australian Federal Finance Minister, Joe Hockey said the government would not negligent in meeting the financial responsibility to do a search on Australian soil.
"It is understood that the plane crashed in the waters which is our responsibility," Hockey told reporters in Sydney.
"And there is a charge for these responsibilities. And we will not relent. We accept that responsibility and will pay for it." (AP / Rod McGuirk)