At U.S. embassy-in-exile, anguished diplomats watch Libyan conflict

[jakeXT]

By Mary Beth Sheridan, Published: June 10

In a windowless attic in Washington, under a maze of exposed pipes, a group of U.S. diplomats is working on Libya. They study maps. They scan Arabic-language TV. They reach out to their contacts in embattled villages.

...

This makeshift office in a State Department annex, reachable by a freight elevator, is a ghost of the mission the diplomats were forced to abandon in February as Tripoli erupted in gunfire. “We have constituted, in effect, an Embassy Libya-on-the-Potomac,” said Gene Cretz, who still holds the title of U.S. ambassador.

...

Among rebels, familiar faces

As the U.S. government struggled to understand who the Libyan rebels were, the diplomats recognized some surprising old contacts. A number of opposition leaders, it turned out, had participated in the U.S. Embassy’s archaeology, education and commercial law programs — even its space camp aimed at children.

“The public-affairs section knew them best,” said Natalie A. Baker, the political officer. “It’s been really interesting to see how our embassy has evolved.”

...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/at-us-embassy-in-exile-anguished-diplomats-watch-libyan-conflict/2011/05/26/AGzOYkNH_print.html

[bluedigger]

1. Interesting story!

"Even the embassy-in-exile may soon cease to exist.

The diplomats continue to work on political analysis and planning for Libya’s eventual reconstruction. Some travel to Benghazi to help the temporary U.S. mission that has opened there. But State Department regulations allow diplomats to remain on evacuation status for only 180 days.

That clock is due to run out in August. Already, some of the younger officers are being told by the department to seek new assignments so they can fulfill requirements that diplomats spend a certain percentage of their time working overseas."

It seems as if they would best serve US interests by remaining together. If only there existed some person with the power to countermand the regulations in this unusual case... :shrug: