U.S. diplomats confined to embassies for security reasons

[Robbien]

Source: China: People's Daily Online

U.S. diplomats have been hit with unprecedented security restrictions with many being confined to fortress-like embassy compounds, Associated Press reported Friday.

Lockdowns and prohibitions on travel now apply to Americans posted to embassies and consulates in at least 28 nations, according to an Associated Press survey of State Department warnings, internal directives and officials. . .

. . .the number of missions where employees receive danger pay has soared from two, Colombia and Lebanon, to 26.

The U.S. State Department has found difficult to recruit employees to serve in hotspot countries, including new embassies opening in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In addition to Kabul and Baghdad, the no-family rules also cover all seven U.S. missions in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as well as 12 posts in Bosnia, the Central African Republic, Congo, Kosovo, Liberia and Sudan.



Read more: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6209939.html

[Yael]

1. I guess it was a smart move to dump $600mm into

Baghdad's embassy, aye?

*sigh*

[aquart]

2. Welcome to DU.

And spend a moment contemplating how ambassadorships traditionally fall into the hands of large donors.

[Yael]

5. Thanks

It is ludacrous. What exactly is the purpose of a $600mm monstrosity that they are not even able to recruit to staff.

If they are bound and determined to spend that kind of money -- rebuild the gardens of Babylon for the people, not build a castle to an oil czar.

[Amimnoch]

3. Good thing Bush's war is making it safer for us.. nt.

[pinto]

4. It's a telling scenario when our embassies become fortresses. Once a bastion

of American diplomacy and a symbol of our caché on the world stage, besieged and buttressed embassies speak of a failed foreign policy.

[Robbien]

7. Just the fact that the scary looking building itself

must make anyone who passes it think that the USA must be a scary country.

It will take decades to correct all this ill will we are generating.

[pinto]

9. Agree. We've never been the 'good guy' all the time on the world stage,

but we've always held, in my lifetime, a level of trust generally that has been undermined by this sycophantic, ideological cadre speaking - and acting - on our behalf.

[DBoon]

10. like what some of us grew up thinking about the Soviet embassy

a concrete fortress representing an outpost of a repressive society

[lovuian]

6. who would want to work for these Bozos

if you do your a fool

[fed-up]

8. but, but, but, the surge is working-hahahahahaha-so that is what democracy looks like?? nt

[provis99]

11. why even bother with embassies in those circumstances?

The whole situation has rendered these embassies irrelevant; ain't no diplomacy happening there. Might as well just admit massive failure in another 26 nations and close up shop.

[Robbien]

13. Americans in the area giving aid through NGO's

need governmental assistance supplied by the embassy. Other than that, I got nothing.

[truthisfreedom]

12. We're fighting them over there so we can be afraid of them everywhere.

bushco is the most dangerous thing that's ever happened to America.

[tanyev]

14. Making the world safer for democracy.

WTG, George.



:sarcasm: