The double suicide bombing in Baghdad on Sunday that claimed more than 130 lives, and wounded hundreds more, highlights that the situation in Iraq is still far from stable.
Other news from that troubled country indicates that even the construction of the world's largest and "most secure" embassy (the US embassy) has been spectacularly botched.
Despite the US spending $700M on construction, the yet to be completed complex is riddled with serious flaws eg; "safe areas" that were not constructed according to contract specifications, walls and walkways that have begun to crack and a power distribution system that used nonstandard wiring.
There are also plumbing problems in 200 locations in the embassy compound, eg the deputy ambassador has the pleasure of airconditioning that pumps noxious sewage fumes into his residence, and deficiencies in a water treatment plant.
The cost of repairs is estimated at being a "mere" $132M.
However, the cost of running the new complex is expected to be so exorbitant that the US may well be forced to rent out part of the space.
Why on earth was such an unwieldy building commissioned in the first place?
As some local wags point out, if the Americans cannot even build their own embassy without botching it, how can they possibly expect to build a nation?
Showing posts with label embassy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label embassy. Show all posts
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hanging Delayed
The stay of execution for Chemical Ali, and two other ex members of Saddam Hussein's inner circle, remains in place; as the US continues to hold them and will not hand them over to the Iraqis, until a legal row is resolved.
US spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said:
"There continue to be differences in viewpoint within the government of Iraq regarding the necessary Iraqi legal and procedural requirements for carrying out death sentences issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal.
Coalition forces will continue to retain physical custody of the defendants until this issue is resolved."
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, is less than pleased with the US policy wrt this matter. On Sunday he accused the US embassy of playing an "unfortunate role" in preventing the handover of the three. He added that his government was "determined" that the executions be carried out.
However, the irresistible force appears to have met the rock in the form of Nantongo who said:
"There is still discussion within the government of Iraq over the legal requirements in this case. We are waiting for the government to come to consensus as to what their law requires before preparing a physical transfer."
Two members of the presidential council, President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi have refused to sign the execution orders.
This stand off is not due to end anytime soon.
US spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said:
"There continue to be differences in viewpoint within the government of Iraq regarding the necessary Iraqi legal and procedural requirements for carrying out death sentences issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal.
Coalition forces will continue to retain physical custody of the defendants until this issue is resolved."
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, is less than pleased with the US policy wrt this matter. On Sunday he accused the US embassy of playing an "unfortunate role" in preventing the handover of the three. He added that his government was "determined" that the executions be carried out.
However, the irresistible force appears to have met the rock in the form of Nantongo who said:
"There is still discussion within the government of Iraq over the legal requirements in this case. We are waiting for the government to come to consensus as to what their law requires before preparing a physical transfer."
Two members of the presidential council, President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi have refused to sign the execution orders.
This stand off is not due to end anytime soon.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Fortress Baghdad
President Bush announced the implementation of his "Fortress Baghdad" policy yesterday. Which, in summary, involves sending another 20,000 or so US troops to Baghdad together with a similar number of Iraqi troops.
In hard political terms, even though this is utter folly and will result in many more civilian and military deaths, Bush has no choice but to do this.
Bush is in the final leg of his presidency, he is looking to leave a legacy. Currently the legacy of his presidency will be that of catastrophic failure at home and abroad; with the Republican party pushed out of Congress, the Senate and more than likely the Oval Office.
Bush, in his mind, has nothing left to lose, and everything to gain by throwing another 20,000 troops at the problem.
The fact that they are to be positioned only in Baghdad indicates that Bush has realised that the rest of Iraq is now beyond hope. His strategy, if that phrase can be used for this folly, is to maintain fortress Baghdad and the world's largest embassy; thus giving the US some foothold in the Middle East, which is now in total chaos as a result of the failed US venture.
All is not lost for Bush, Britain's foreign secretary Margaret Beckett came out in strong support of Bush today; saying that she was pleased that he was doing this.
What she forgot to mention was that Britain will not be putting more troops in to back up our US allies, but in fact withdrawing 3,000 in the coming months.
Bush stands isolated in his Whitehouse bunker, at home and abroad, it is only a matter of time before he is forced to yield.
Unfortunately his imminent demise has been brought about at the heavy price of thousands of lives, and utter chaos in the Middle East.
Mission Accomplished!
In hard political terms, even though this is utter folly and will result in many more civilian and military deaths, Bush has no choice but to do this.
Bush is in the final leg of his presidency, he is looking to leave a legacy. Currently the legacy of his presidency will be that of catastrophic failure at home and abroad; with the Republican party pushed out of Congress, the Senate and more than likely the Oval Office.
Bush, in his mind, has nothing left to lose, and everything to gain by throwing another 20,000 troops at the problem.
The fact that they are to be positioned only in Baghdad indicates that Bush has realised that the rest of Iraq is now beyond hope. His strategy, if that phrase can be used for this folly, is to maintain fortress Baghdad and the world's largest embassy; thus giving the US some foothold in the Middle East, which is now in total chaos as a result of the failed US venture.
All is not lost for Bush, Britain's foreign secretary Margaret Beckett came out in strong support of Bush today; saying that she was pleased that he was doing this.
What she forgot to mention was that Britain will not be putting more troops in to back up our US allies, but in fact withdrawing 3,000 in the coming months.
Bush stands isolated in his Whitehouse bunker, at home and abroad, it is only a matter of time before he is forced to yield.
Unfortunately his imminent demise has been brought about at the heavy price of thousands of lives, and utter chaos in the Middle East.
Mission Accomplished!
Monday, May 08, 2006
The World's Largest Embassy
Whatever happens in Iraq in the coming months and years, there will be one large scale monument to the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein; namely, the world's largest embassy.
The US is currently constructing a monolith, that dwarfs in size all the other embassies in the world.
Congress has been told that the bill for the embassy has now reached a staggering $592M.
The heavily guarded 42 hectare will have a 15ft thick perimeter wall once it is finished.
It will house around 8000 US staff, and will contain every comfort. There will be residences for the Ambassador and his deputy, six apartments for senior officials, and two huge office blocks for 8,000 staff to work in.
It is also rumoured that it will contain the largest swimming pool in Iraq, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a cinema, restaurants offering delicacies from US food chains, tennis courts and an American Club for evening functions.
Some cynics suggest that it out "blings" even Saddam Hussein's palaces, in terms of opulence and grandeur.
There are a number of questions that do need to be addressed, in relation to this monument:
1 Why does it need to be so big?
2 Why is it that this will be completed on target, yet other construction projects in Iraq are way off target?
3 Why is it that the electricity, water and other essential utilities for the construction site are on stream, and have not suffered the same cuts and disruptions that ordinary Iraqis suffer everyday with their essential utilities?
4 Why are the construction workers being employed to build this edifice not local Iraqis, but mainly Kuwaitis?
5 Does Washington really feel that this will win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis? Does Washington even care?
The US is currently constructing a monolith, that dwarfs in size all the other embassies in the world.
Congress has been told that the bill for the embassy has now reached a staggering $592M.
The heavily guarded 42 hectare will have a 15ft thick perimeter wall once it is finished.
It will house around 8000 US staff, and will contain every comfort. There will be residences for the Ambassador and his deputy, six apartments for senior officials, and two huge office blocks for 8,000 staff to work in.
It is also rumoured that it will contain the largest swimming pool in Iraq, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a cinema, restaurants offering delicacies from US food chains, tennis courts and an American Club for evening functions.
Some cynics suggest that it out "blings" even Saddam Hussein's palaces, in terms of opulence and grandeur.
There are a number of questions that do need to be addressed, in relation to this monument:
1 Why does it need to be so big?
2 Why is it that this will be completed on target, yet other construction projects in Iraq are way off target?
3 Why is it that the electricity, water and other essential utilities for the construction site are on stream, and have not suffered the same cuts and disruptions that ordinary Iraqis suffer everyday with their essential utilities?
4 Why are the construction workers being employed to build this edifice not local Iraqis, but mainly Kuwaitis?
5 Does Washington really feel that this will win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis? Does Washington even care?
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
The Colorado Documents
Regime crimes liaison Kevin Dooley, a U.S. Embassy representative in Iraq, has reportedly said that there are "millions" of documents in the US related to the trial of Saddam Hussein and several other defendants.
Inexplicably these documents are being held at an undisclosed location in Denver. Dooley is also not clear as to why those documents are being kept in Denver.
Seemingly the documents contain evidence to be used against Saddam and others, when they face trial for the deaths of some 200,000 Kurds.
The evidence is known as "The Colorado Documents." Their specific location is considered classified, and is not being released.
Inexplicably these documents are being held at an undisclosed location in Denver. Dooley is also not clear as to why those documents are being kept in Denver.
Seemingly the documents contain evidence to be used against Saddam and others, when they face trial for the deaths of some 200,000 Kurds.
The evidence is known as "The Colorado Documents." Their specific location is considered classified, and is not being released.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Saddam Hussein Alleges He Was Beaten
Saddam Hussein has accused US troops of beating and torturing him whilst he was in jail.
Saddam, whilst speaking at his trial yesterday, claimed that evidence of torture could be seen all over his body.
The prosecution pooh poohed the claims, saying that Saddam was relatively comfortable as his room was comfortable and air-conditioned room. They noted that many people in Baghdad have an unreliable electricity supply, which makes air conditioning the stuff of dreams.
Saddam made his claim after several hours of testimony, which included witnesses who claimed that Saddam's agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.
One of the witnesses was al-Haidari, who stated that seven of his brothers were executed by Saddam's soldiers and that their bodies have never been found.
He told the court that he, and other residents of his village, were taken to Baghdad and thrown into a prison where people were given electric shocks and regular beatings.
Saddam then took it upon himself to speak, and claimed that he had been tortured and beaten on every part of his body, and that his seven co-defendants had also been beaten.
Quote:
"I would say yes, we were beaten up. We were beaten up by Americans and we were tortured.
Every one of us.
This man when he gets up he has to hold the railing because he was beaten up badly. He was beaten badly with rifle butts on his back".
The Chief Prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said that he would investigate the claims; stating that if they were true, Saddam would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.
Christopher Reid of the US embassy in Baghdad said that the claims were bogus.
Quote:
"We heard Barzon al-Tikriti complaining about his treatment and saying the cigarettes I'm getting are terrible and I only get six a day, that kind of a complaint. So nowhere then was anything mentioned about being beaten or whatever.
So I think these are bogus claims, they're designed to ambush the court, and they're designed to really play on or play against some of the testimony that we've had in the case so far".
Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said:
"I know of nothing that would substantiate such a claim. He's given to grandstanding in this trial. But where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised".
Saddam, whilst speaking at his trial yesterday, claimed that evidence of torture could be seen all over his body.
The prosecution pooh poohed the claims, saying that Saddam was relatively comfortable as his room was comfortable and air-conditioned room. They noted that many people in Baghdad have an unreliable electricity supply, which makes air conditioning the stuff of dreams.
Saddam made his claim after several hours of testimony, which included witnesses who claimed that Saddam's agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.
One of the witnesses was al-Haidari, who stated that seven of his brothers were executed by Saddam's soldiers and that their bodies have never been found.
He told the court that he, and other residents of his village, were taken to Baghdad and thrown into a prison where people were given electric shocks and regular beatings.
Saddam then took it upon himself to speak, and claimed that he had been tortured and beaten on every part of his body, and that his seven co-defendants had also been beaten.
Quote:
"I would say yes, we were beaten up. We were beaten up by Americans and we were tortured.
Every one of us.
This man when he gets up he has to hold the railing because he was beaten up badly. He was beaten badly with rifle butts on his back".
The Chief Prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said that he would investigate the claims; stating that if they were true, Saddam would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.
Christopher Reid of the US embassy in Baghdad said that the claims were bogus.
Quote:
"We heard Barzon al-Tikriti complaining about his treatment and saying the cigarettes I'm getting are terrible and I only get six a day, that kind of a complaint. So nowhere then was anything mentioned about being beaten or whatever.
So I think these are bogus claims, they're designed to ambush the court, and they're designed to really play on or play against some of the testimony that we've had in the case so far".
Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said:
"I know of nothing that would substantiate such a claim. He's given to grandstanding in this trial. But where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised".
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