From The Washington Post, 5/16/07:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR200...

World's Biggest U.S. Embassy May Not Be Quite Big Enough

By Al Kamen

Wednesday, May 16, 2007; Page A13

For all those who keep whining about how the government can't do
anything right, we're happy to report that the massive New Embassy
Compound in Baghdad, the biggest U.S. embassy on earth, is going to be
completed pretty much as scheduled in August.

The bad news is that it appears it's not going to have enough housing
for all the employees who'll be moving to the 27-building complex on a
104-acre tract of land -- about the size of the Vatican, two-thirds
the size of the Mall -- within the Green Zone.

The embassy compound in Baghdad will have more than 600
blast-resistant apartments -- but could use a few more.

In fact, our new man in Baghdad, Ambassador Ryan Crocker, is said to
be concerned that, while there are more than 600 blast-resistant
apartments in the NEC, there's a need for several hundred more
apartments.

Problem seems to be that the original plans didn't account for
hundreds of staff working in reconstruction, development, the
inspector general's office and other security programs, who, though
considered temporary, will need, at least for a few years, somewhere
to live.

There are 1,000 Americans working at the embassy, and Crocker is
looking to downsize, but we hear he's having trouble finding even 100
to toss overboard.

Also, there are about 200 non-U.S. workers brought in from around the
region who are replacing Iraqi staff because it is too dangerous for
the Iraqis, who live outside the fortified Green Zone, to work for
Americans.

Worst of all, there's no provision for rooms for congressional
delegations or other distinguished guests coming to shop in the famed
markets.

There aren't any safe hotels in Baghdad, much less a decent B&B.

Embassy employees, now living in trailers with no overhead protection,
are getting increasingly jittery over mortar and rocket attacks.

New guidelines tell them to wear helmets and flak jackets when walking
in the open.

But some employees, sleeping in those tin-can trailers, apparently
would actually like to take off the helmets and jackets while they're
in bed.

One speaker at a recent town hall meeting in Baghdad, McClatchy
Newspapers reported yesterday, asked for bullet-resistant Kevlar
blankets to protect him from shrapnel in case of incoming mortar fire.

There's discussion now of a short-term solution that would put some
people in trailers in the 30 to 40 acres not being used for housing.

They would be right outside the compound but at least have overhead
cover.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week said she dispatched
super-competent Patrick Kennedy-- now director of management policy
and talked about as a possible undersecretary for management at the
State Department -- to Baghdad to assess the situation.

Crocker's home in the NEC -- which one source said was about 16,000
square feet -- is expected to be ready.

Ditto deputy chief of mission Daniel Speckhard's cottage, which is a
cozy 9,500 square feet.

In addition to office buildings, the complex, located on the banks of
the Tigris River, will have a pool and gym and a 17,000-square-foot
commissary and food court building.

The NEC will also have its own water supply, power plant and
waste-treatment facility so it doesn't have to rely on the Iraqis for
essential services.

All this for only $592 million.

Well, that was the original price tag.

_____________________________________________________

How about them apples. Wonder what the projected cost is today?

From The Washington Post, 5/16/07:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051502027.html

World's Biggest U.S. Embassy May Not Be Quite Big Enough

By Al Kamen

Wednesday, May 16, 2007; Page A13

For all those who keep whining about how the government can't do
anything right, we're happy to report that the massive New Embassy
Compound in Baghdad, the biggest U.S. embassy on earth, is going to be
completed pretty much as scheduled in August.

The bad news is that it appears it's not going to have enough housing
for all the employees who'll be moving to the 27-building complex on a
104-acre tract of land -- about the size of the Vatican, two-thirds
the size of the Mall -- within the Green Zone.

The embassy compound in Baghdad will have more than 600
blast-resistant apartments -- but could use a few more.

In fact, our new man in Baghdad, Ambassador Ryan Crocker, is said to
be concerned that, while there are more than 600 blast-resistant
apartments in the NEC, there's a need for several hundred more
apartments.

Problem seems to be that the original plans didn't account for
hundreds of staff working in reconstruction, development, the
inspector general's office and other security programs, who, though
considered temporary, will need, at least for a few years, somewhere
to live.

There are 1,000 Americans working at the embassy, and Crocker is
looking to downsize, but we hear he's having trouble finding even 100
to toss overboard.

Also, there are about 200 non-U.S. workers brought in from around the
region who are replacing Iraqi staff because it is too dangerous for
the Iraqis, who live outside the fortified Green Zone, to work for
Americans.

Worst of all, there's no provision for rooms for congressional
delegations or other distinguished guests coming to shop in the famed
markets.

There aren't any safe hotels in Baghdad, much less a decent B&B.

Embassy employees, now living in trailers with no overhead protection,
are getting increasingly jittery over mortar and rocket attacks.

New guidelines tell them to wear helmets and flak jackets when walking
in the open.

But some employees, sleeping in those tin-can trailers, apparently
would actually like to take off the helmets and jackets while they're
in bed.

One speaker at a recent town hall meeting in Baghdad, McClatchy
Newspapers reported yesterday, asked for bullet-resistant Kevlar
blankets to protect him from shrapnel in case of incoming mortar fire.

There's discussion now of a short-term solution that would put some
people in trailers in the 30 to 40 acres not being used for housing.

They would be right outside the compound but at least have overhead
cover.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week said she dispatched
super-competent Patrick Kennedy-- now director of management policy
and talked about as a possible undersecretary for management at the
State Department -- to Baghdad to assess the situation.

Crocker's home in the NEC -- which one source said was about 16,000
square feet -- is expected to be ready.

Ditto deputy chief of mission Daniel Speckhard's cottage, which is a
cozy 9,500 square feet.

In addition to office buildings, the complex, located on the banks of
the Tigris River, will have a pool and gym and a 17,000-square-foot
commissary and food court building.

The NEC will also have its own water supply, power plant and
waste-treatment facility so it doesn't have to rely on the Iraqis for
essential services.

All this for only $592 million.

Well, that was the original price tag.

_____________________________________________________

How about them apples. Wonder what the projected cost is today?

Harry