Iraq redux? Obama seeks funds for Pakistan super-embassy

[bigtree]

05/27/09

ISLAMABAD — The U.S. is embarking on a $1 billion crash program to expand its diplomatic presence in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, another sign that the Obama administration is making a costly, long-term commitment to war-torn South Asia, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

The White House has asked Congress for — and seems likely to receive — $736 million to build a new U.S. embassy in Islamabad, along with permanent housing for U.S. government civilians and new office space in the Pakistani capital.

The scale of the projects rivals the giant U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which was completed last year after construction delays at a cost of $740 million.

Funds for the projects are included in a 2009 supplemental spending bill that the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed in slightly different forms.

read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/inauguration/story/783796.html

[Canuckistanian]

1. Oh, God, no

When will they learn? You don't build trust by constructing ANOTHER giant military base/spy complex in the middle of a conflict zone?

[montanto]

2. Great, lets stir the Pakistan v. India thing up a little. eom.

[Mari333]

3. here we go again.the military empire of the United States

is not going to end just because Obama is their newest figurehead.

[bigtree]

4. yep

here we go again