New US Embassy in Iraq has no housing for all its workers

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

New US Embassy in Iraq has no housing for all its workers
By BRADLEY BROOKS, Associated Press Writer
Fri Apr 25, 2:07 PM ET

BAGHDAD - The new U.S. Embassy complex does not have enough fortified living quarters for hundreds of diplomats and other workers, who must remain temporarily in trailers without special rooftop protection against mortars and rockets, government officials have told The Associated Press.

Sorting out the housing crunch and funding could further delay moving all personnel into the compound until next year and exposes shortcomings in the planning for America's more than $700 million diplomatic hub in Iraq.

...

But there is not enough blast-resistant housing at the new site for "hundreds" of embassy workers, said Patrick Kennedy, undersecretary of state for management. One reason is because staffing levels are more than double than projected in 2005 when the compound was being designed.

The precise figure for the looming housing shortfall was not disclosed. Currently, the trailers behind the embassy hold more than 1,000 people including diplomats, embassy employees, translators, civilian support staff and others. Private security contractors generally have their own housing.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080425/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_diplomats_exposed

[Ian David]

1. But they'll still be electrocuted in the shower by Halliburton's faulty wiring. n/t

[katty]

2. ha, yeah, let cheney be the first one to try them

[peace13]

5. Or sickened should they sup of the shower water

while rinsing.

[terryg11]

3. you've got to be kidding

I saw the plans for this thing last year on some news show and it's a very luxurious looking palace. I can't believe they skimped on the "safety features".

Someone on Mclaughlin group, I can't remember which one referred to the US embassy in Iraq as the palace of some future dictator/warlord who gains power after we leave. Gave no names, figured it would be occupied by some dictator after we leave

[InkAddict]

4. Send them the formaldehyde-laden FEMA trailers in which to live

These spineless human beings would rather not sacrifice their cushy tax-free "temporary" career assignment than stand up against the orders of criminals. I'm ashamed that the taxes I pay support their occupying presence each and every day of this heinous administration's "service(?)".

[skoalyman]

6. they should just bring

the soldiers home to liberate us from this corrupt government:evilgrin:

[crimsonblue]

7. How does the largest, most expensive, most modern American Embassy in the world

NOT have room? It takes effort to fuck this many things up, so I gotta give my hat off to the fine folks at the State Dept and DOD.

[aquart]

9. Indeed.

[jmowreader]

10. They blew their budget on the torture chambers and rape rooms...

so there's no money left to sandbag the roofs of the employee quarters.

[corporatemedia]

8. I wonder if the trailers are double-wides? Much more comfortable...

but unfortunately easier to hit with mortars.