Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


9

Bloated Baghdad Embassy Needs 'Rightsizing': State

Share

(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.

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.
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.
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.
A portion of the new US embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad in 2007.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
9 comments
VIEWING:
 
TerrifiedCitizen
Jul 22, 09 2:57 PM CDT
But what about my cousin; and my wife's cousins? Besides, we're not broke like you Americans; we can't even find enough places to hide all the money we've received. Where is our friend Bushy; he understood all of this. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Jul 31, 09 2:35 AM CDT
Yeah, no money for Americans. Plenty for the Iraqis and the Saudis. I'm guessing that's the Republican version of flag-waving?
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Nwambe
Jul 22, 09 5:33 PM CDT
Now you're spamming. THAT will get you banned.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Altoecko
Jul 22, 09 9:58 PM 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.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Jungun
Jul 23, 09 3:56 AM CDT
You're right in terms of censorship. But calling people a Nazi is not on.
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 9 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

125 Stories

Charles Krauthammer

Time to Act Presidential on Afghanistan

After 'yearlong drift,' Obama can't keep passing buck to Bush

Oct 30, 09 11:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama loves to blame things on George W. Bush, and on Monday he did it again, referring to the “long years of drift in Afghanistan.” He must be trying to “explain away his own, well, yearlong drift on Afghanistan,” writes Charles Krauthammer . In March, Obama... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Bush administration • Barack Obama • Iraq war • George W. Bush • Afghanistan war • Obama administration • President Obama • Charles Krauthammer • counterinsurgency

JUAN COLE

B+ for Obama Foreign Policy, F for Not Owning It

New prez is doing fine in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, but no one notices

Oct 27, 09 11:17 AM CDT
(Newser) - Despite the howls of protest over President Obama's Nobel Prize and the administration’s "dithering" on Afghanistan , the fact is that the new president’s foreign endeavors deserve good marks, says Juan Cole. Cole gives Obama an A for his Iranian statesmanship, a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iran • Bush administration • Pakistan • US foreign policy • US military • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • Obama administration • President Obama

OPINION

 Universal Health Care: 
 We Already Gave it to Iraq 

Constitution America fought to give Iraq guarantees its citizens health care

Sep 10, 09 6:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - Many US lawmakers opposing health care reform need to be asked why it's OK for Iraqis but not Americans, Mark Dorlester writes for the Huffington Post. Article 31 of the Iraqi Constitution—made possible by the war, and hailed as a victory by the Bush administration—guarantees every Iraqi state-funded... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • Bush administration • health care • health insurance • health care reform • Iraq war

125 Stories


US  •  Politics  •  World 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

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

from our news partners

PopEater.com