Iraq plans to renovate (US) embassy, buy mansion ($5.8 mil)

[maddezmom]

Envoy says rebuilding is part of recovery


WASHINGTON · Iraq may be facing a deadly civil war, but the Iraqi government is initiating major, costly repairs to its diplomatic building in Washington, D.C., and expanding its real estate holdings here.

The latest Iraqi government purchase for its U.S. mission is a $5.8 million mansion at 3421 Massachusetts Ave. NW in Observatory Circle, across the street from Vice President Dick Cheney's official residence. The three-story, 1920 Tudor-style structure, with more than 7,000 square feet, will serve as temporary embassy during renovations to its fading Dupont Circle mission. Plans are to turn the Dupont Circle building into a cultural center for the exhibition of Iraqi art.

The mansion comes with bright skylights, inset lighting fixtures, a top-floor kitchenette with a built-in espresso machine, new hardwood floors and soft pistachio carpeting up the winding stairs. There are heated floors, a firefighting system, speakers for music throughout the building, and spacious bathrooms, one with a Jacuzzi.

"We have bathrooms coming out of our ears," said Iraqi Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie, inspecting the new digs.

more;http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/sfl-airaqembassy23feb23,0,7939449.story?track=rss

Bet the Iraqis back home really appreciate the Gov't new digs in DC. :eyes:

[asjr]

1. And are we, the taxpayers,

paying for it?

[GreenZoneLT]

3. Don't you know, the Iraqi oil's paying for EVERYTHING.

Actually, this one is being paid for by Iraqi oil revenue. They actually do have a government budget here that is funded by oil money. It's a pittance compared to the building/rebuilding and security costs, but it's several billion dollars a year. Even as screwed up as things are, they're still exporting about 2.5 million barrels a day.

If they ever got the place pacified, and modernized their oil and oil-refining infrastructure, they could triple that without breaking a sweat. This place could be wealthier than Kuwait or the UAE if it had decent government.

[maddezmom]

4. according to the article it's from Oil revenue

[Lasher]

6. Same difference.

That oil revenue money could have been used on infrastructure projects in Iraq. But since it is being squandered, those projects will be instead funded with US dollars. It's like the enabler scenario with drug addicts:

You give money to your daughter for food and utilities. Since she didn't have to spend her own money to pay for these things, she has some extra. She uses this extra money to buy drugs. You tell yourself you made sure she didn't spend the money you gave her on drugs. But it's really the same thing.

[maddezmom]

7. good point

:hi:

[Lasher]

9. Thanks, maddezmom

Hello back :hi:

How do you folks in the UK feel about the possibility of getting part of The Decider's Maginot Line in the sky installed there?

Lasher

[maddezmom]

10. I'm an expat not a Brit

but from the people I've talked to about it, they think it's a farce and another boondoogle. :hi:

[ShortnFiery]

2. STOP this Madness! Congress are you paying attention?!? n/t

[Vinca]

5. Tell me this isn't paid for by my tax dollars at the same time

I can't afford health care.

[sabra]

8. "across the street from Vice President Dick Cheney's official residence"

that would scare the @$@# out of me...