Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The debacle of the US Embassy in Iraq

The fact we were building the biggest embassy in history in Iraq, in secrecy to the majority of Americans, almost since the beginning of this illegal invasion, is simply proof there was no intention of ever leaving Iraq.

The U.S. embassy in Iraq is set to open this fall. Projected to cost $592 million, the embassy will employ a staff of 4,000 people and assume operating costs totaling $1.2 billion a year. It will be a 104-acre complex -- the size of approximately 80 football fields -- and the largest U.S. embassy in the world. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked for an additional $50 million in May "to to add more structures" to the embassy. "It's all for them [the U.S], all of Iraq's resources, water, electricity, security... Details

The massive U.S. embassy under construction in Baghdad could cost $144 million more than projected and will open months behind schedule because of poor planning, shoddy workmanship, internal disputes and last-minute changes sought by State Department officials.. Details

Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at the New U.S. Embassy in Iraq Article

Documents Show Extensive Flaws in Iraq Embassy Construction Article

More than a few U.S. contractors competing for the $592-million Baghdad project express bewilderment over why the U.S. State Department gave the work to First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting (FKTC). They claim that some competing contractors possessed far stronger experience in such work and that at least one award-winning company offered to perform all but the most classified work for $60 million to $70 million less than FKTC.

“It's stunning what First Kuwaiti has been able to get from the State Department,” one contractor said. More
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