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Report Blasts State Department Over Benghazi

Hillary Clinton accepts all 29 recommendations on security

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 18, 2012 8:43 PM CST | Updated Dec 19, 2012 5:02 AM CST

(Newser) – An independent panel set up to investigate the September attack on the US consulate in Benghazi has come down hard on the State Department for lax oversight on security. But, the AP reports, it does not single out any individual or recommend disciplinary action. Hillary Clinton, at home this week recovering from a concussion, has accepted all 29 recommendations. To start, the department will ask Congress to transfer $1.3 billion from funds originally allocated for military operations in Iraq to pay for more Marine security guards in Libya. The New York Times lists some of the faults laid out by the panel, led by retired ambassador Thomas Pickering and former Joint Chiefs chairman Mike Mullen:

  • The State Department relied on small-time local militias to guard the consulate, instead of more experienced personnel.

  • The department ignored requests for more guards and safety improvements made by officials at the embassy in Tripoli.
  • The department waited for specific warnings of attacks instead of taking more proactive steps.
  • Two key bureaus, Near Eastern Affairs and diplomatic security, did not coordinate security plans.

A file photo of late ambassador Chris Stevens.
A file photo of late ambassador Chris Stevens.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
In this Sept. 12 file photo, a man looks at documents at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, after the attack.
In this Sept. 12 file photo, a man looks at documents at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, after the attack.   (AP Photo/Ibrahim Alaguri, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 27 comments
HANKHILL
Dec 19, 2012 2:37 PM CST
nothing new here it is just what caliph barak hussein obama wanted!
lahoud
Dec 19, 2012 10:42 AM CST
What a tragic day for the republican party. Rather than working to find jobs for American families, the GOP perpetuated the Bain-ghazzi lie for months-- even after romney abandoned the story following his embarrassing performance in the second presidential debate. Now, it was all for nothing. GOP: circling the toilet drain. ker-PLUNK! FLUSH! AMF!
teuthis532@gmail.com
Dec 19, 2012 10:30 AM CST
Everyone, as long as there is a so called civilized government in this country. We are always going to get lied too, now it is even worst than it used to be. It is really too bad that we are never told the truth about anything that goes on in the world. I have lived and worked in many foreign countries in the world. The lying from this administration makes me want to move and live outside the United States permanetly..

 
Hillary Clinton • State Department • Libya • US Consulate • Benghazi • Chris Stevens

 
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