posted on March 8, 2007 09:49:03 AM newTHE BAGHDAD DRAIN
How Much Embassy Is Too Much?
By Elizabeth Williamson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2007
Mention the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to Lawrence Eagleburger and he explodes.
"I defy anyone to tell me how you can use that many people. It is nuts . . . it's insane and it's counterproductive . . . and it won't work," says the Republican former secretary of state and member of the Iraq Study Group. "I've been around the State Department long enough to know you can't run an outfit like that."
The nerve center of Iraq reconstruction efforts, housed in an ornate former Saddam Hussein palace with soaring ceilings and its own espresso bar, the embassy in Baghdad is one of the largest foreign missions ever operated by the State Department. Its complexity and expense, some say, hampers reconstruction efforts and drains cash from diplomatic efforts worldwide.
According to a State Department count, about 1,000 federal employees report to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, not including hundreds of private contractors. State Department personnel are assigned to roughly half the slots in Baghdad, and the rest are reserved for an array of agencies, including about 90 from the Justice Department, 20 from the Department of Homeland Security, and four each from the Commerce Department and the Transportation Department. They are needed, officials say, to rebuild transit and mail services, to assist small businesses, to advise politicians and peasants.
The mission's closely guarded budget is a source of controversy at State, and across the federal government. At $923 million for the 2006 fiscal year, the budget was 20 times that of the Beijing embassy's that year, according to the State Department. More than two-thirds of the money pays for security. Salaries for about 600 staff from other federal agencies are not included in that figure, nor are some expenses.
"Maintaining an oversized mega-embassy in Baghdad is draining personnel and resources away from every other U.S. embassy around the world, and all for what?" said a senior State Department official, who spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Travel outside the Green Zone requires a security entourage and involves weeks of organization. The embassy is seen as a key target for violence, which, along with fear of reprisals, makes many Iraqis afraid to visit. Consequently, Americans who work there see relatively few of the people they are there to help.
"Diplomats, in order to carry out their mission, need to be able to get out regularly and move about freely to cultivate professional relationships with a broad cross-section of contacts in local government and society," said Steve Kashkett, State Department vice president for the American Foreign Service Association, the department's labor union and professional association. "If security conditions prevent them from doing so, it raises legitimate questions about the usefulness of a heavily staffed embassy."
"Just because we can't travel as freely as in a European capital doesn't mean we can't do our job," said a State Department official who declined to be named because he wasn't authorized to speak for the record.
The teeming embassy masks a desperate need for civilians to aid the reconstruction effort. To lure more, federal employees are offered 70 percent more than their base salaries for Iraq service, plus overtime, or special premiums for working long hours, according to the Office of Personnel Management. It is possible for senior employees to earn more than the secretary of state, who makes $186,600 a year. Kashkett said 1,700 diplomats have stepped up for Iraq service since 2003 -- about 20 percent of those eligible to go. The State Department has discussed drafting personnel.
The blunt view, from Eagleburger: "We're throwing people and money at something without estimating what the culture demands. It's hubris."
posted on March 10, 2007 02:21:07 PM new
Might as well make use of what was already there.
We're NOT at war in China, the UK nor Mexico. Rational adults would take note of that.
The ME is a hot spot....has been for most of my life. Things are beginning to change.....and within a couple of generations we may well be enjoying another Germany and Japan type relationship in the ME.
There were those who NEVER believed it could happen there....and they were WRONG. It did.
But with all the pessimism and negativity from the left....they have NO VISION to what's possible in the future.
Republicans DO.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 10, 2007 03:09:58 PM newMight as well make use of what was already there.
It didn't belong to your leader. It belonged to the Iraqis and he came in and stole it when he messed up their country and had so many of them and their children killed and put out of their own homes.
posted on March 10, 2007 03:16:08 PM new
Can you provided proof it was 'STOLLEN'?
Didn't think so.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 10, 2007 03:48:54 PM new
As expected kiara makes ANOTHER ASSUMPTION.
LOL LOL LOL
Typical for her. She can't EVER support most of what shes states. LOL LOL LOL
Nope....much easier to concern herself with spelling errors.
Thank God you live in Canada.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 10, 2007 03:57:41 PM new
Linda_k, it's a pretty sad life for you when all you can think of thanking God for in your day is that someone you hate on a message board lives in another country. Try to reach further in your prayers.
posted on March 10, 2007 04:12:43 PM new
Telling me what to do again....that's the liberal/atheist/agnostic/secular way. LOL
Soon you'll be quoting Bible verses for all again.
kiara...I don't HATE you....that would mean I have some personal feelings one way or the other for you. Be clear - I don't now and I never have.
You are NOTHING to me except some ignorant canadian liberal. Period....nothing more.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 10, 2007 04:21:23 PM new
I can't remember quoting Bible verses here. It's just that I have to smile when I think of all the ways you righties use 'your' god each day. Wasting his time over someone on a message board or wanting his approval over starting a war or always when you transgress with drugs or sex or anything else. Doesn't God have more important things to deal with?
posted on March 10, 2007 04:26:34 PM new
Don't YOU? lol
I sure haven't heard that ANY canadian funds are supporting this embassy.
So until such time....it's really NOT your concern.
And to answer your last question.....why don't you get to know him...maybe then you could ask him yourself....and be a little less of a Christian BASHER.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 10, 2007 04:29:26 PM new
Of course MY question STILL remains unanswered.
Surprise surprise. tsk tsk tsk
Can you provided proof it was 'STOLEN'?
Didn't think so.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 10, 2007 04:32:58 PM new
It is my tax dollar and even if it wasn't I would still have every right to voice an opinion.
There are Christians and then there are the Christian Hypocrites who will use God to hide behind whenever it suits their purpose. Seems to be a lot of them coming out of the woodwork lately.
