Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Iraq Embassy Costs Skyrocket

Project delayed for months due to shoddy workmanship, planning

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2007 4:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Shoddy workmanship and poor planning have left construction of the new US embassy in Iraq—the biggest in the world—months behind schedule, and tacked $144 million onto what was originally a $592-million project. Scheduled to open last month, it won't be fully habitable until 2009. The State Department, already under fire for failing to adequately supervise private security firm Blackwater, is taking heat from Congress for the poor performance

State blames various contractors, but has asked for last-minute redesigns of a variety of buildings, adding delays and cost overruns, the Washington Post reports. To complicate matters further, the Washington official overseeing the project was banished from Iraq by Ambassador Ryan Crocker, because Crocker suspected him of destroying evidence in the investigation of a worker’s death, the Post reports.

A portion of the new U.S. embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad, Saturday, May 19, 2007. The new $592 million embassy occupies a chunk of prime Baghdad real estate two-thirds the size of Washington's National Mall, with desk space for about 1,000...
A portion of the new U.S. embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad, Saturday, May 19, 2007. The new $592 million embassy occupies a chunk of prime Baghdad real estate...   (Associated Press)
This computer generated architectural rendering recently posted on the architect's web site reportedly shows the entrance to the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission, part of the American Embassy complex in Baghdad, Iraq, currently under construction. Detailed plans for the new U.S. Embassy now under construction in Baghdad...
This computer generated architectural rendering recently posted on the architect's web site reportedly shows the entrance to the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission, part of the American Embassy...   (Associated Press)
This computer generated architectural rendering recently posted on the architect's web site reportedly shows the pool house in the American Embassy complex in Baghdad, Iraq, currently under construction. Detailed plans for the new U.S. Embassy now under construction in Baghdad appeared online Thursday, May 31, 2007, in a breach...
This computer generated architectural rendering recently posted on the architect's web site reportedly shows the pool house in the American Embassy complex in Baghdad, Iraq, currently under construction....   (Associated Press)
A portion of the new U.S. embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad, in this May 19, 2007 file photo.  The Kuwait company building the U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been accused of agreeing to pay $200,000 in kickbacks in exchange for...
A portion of the new U.S. embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad, in this May 19, 2007 file photo. The Kuwait company building the U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been...   (Associated Press)
A portion of the new U.S. embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad in their May 19, 2007 file photo.  The Kuwait company building the U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been accused of agreeing to pay $200,000 in kickbacks in exchange for...
A portion of the new U.S. embassy under construction is seen from across the Tigris river in Baghdad in their May 19, 2007 file photo. The Kuwait company building the U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been...   (Associated Press)
  (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Iraqis Fume Over US Drone Use

US Flushes Blackwater Contract

US Military to Oversee Blackwater Convoys

Diplomats to Be Ordered to Serve in Iraq

Iraq Detaining US Contractors


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne