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Bloated Baghdad Embassy Needs 'Rightsizing': State

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2009 2:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – An internal State Department assessment has deemed the recently completed US embassy in Baghdad grievously overstaffed, McClatchy Newspapers report. “There is a clear consensus from the top to the bottom of the embassy,” State’s inspector general writes. “The time has come for a significant rightsizing.” The embassy’s 1,200 employees are now occupying dormitories designed for 600.

The report places the blame squarely on the Bush administration, which commissioned the $700 million project. “Given the high priority placed on Iraq,” it reads, “many of the normal limits on staffing have not been imposed. Cost has not seemed to be a factor.” The reduced US military presence in Iraq also calls for a smaller diplomatic force.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

People watch the US flag as it is raised during a ceremony marking the opening of the new US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo)

A computer generated architectural rendering shows the entrance to the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission, part of the American Embassy complex in Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo)

A portion of the new US embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad in 2007. (AP Photo)

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For some, it is much overdue as they believe the "civilian surge" went too far. For others, it is a necessary result of the now-changed circumstances in Iraq and in our bilateral relationship. - State Department report

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Jungun

Jul 23, 2009 8:56 AM CDT

You're right in terms of censorship. But calling people a Nazi is not on.

Altoecko

Jul 23, 2009 2:58 AM CDT

Read what I responded with in the Naked Cowboy thread, please. My e-mail address is altoecko@gmail.com if you wish to talk to me directly.

brawne

Jul 23, 2009 1:14 AM CDT

That's it. I'm done with this site. I loved the board, loved the concise summary of complex issues and loved the freedom to post without going through a board of censors. The immediacy of the discussion is what made this site valuable to me. The commenters were always diverse and stimulating but now it's just another thing that makes me feel bad. And I just don't need more of that. Corona wins.

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McClatchy Newspapers (Source Grid »)

US • Politics • World

Bush administration • Baghdad • State Department • US embassy in Baghdad • diplomat • Iraq war • report • rightsizing • overstaffed

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