U.S. Opens New Iraq Embassy

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

US opens new Iraq embassy, moves to normalise ties
Mon Jan 5, 2009 6:27am EST

By Missy Ryan and Peter Graff

BAGHDAD, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The United States opened its new embassy building in Baghdad on Monday, a step meant to symbolise its transition from occupying power to an ally of a sovereign Iraqi government.

In recent weeks U.S. diplomats have gradually moved into the $592 million newly-built compound, the world's largest U.S. embassy building, leaving behind a sprawling palace they had inhabited since toppling Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003. U.S. officials ruled Iraq directly from the same palace for more than a year after taking Baghdad.

- snip -

The embassy has 1,200 employees, including diplomats, servicemen and staff from 14 federal agencies, U.S. embassy spokeswoman Susan Ziadeh told Reuters. "Its scale reflects the importance of the U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship," she said. "It reflects a more normal situation. This is a broadening of the relationship because the situation is more secure."

U.S. forces on New Year's Day handed over responsibility to Iraqi troops for the Green Zone, a fortified compound in the heart of Baghdad off limits to most Iraqis, who have widely viewed it as a symbol of foreign military occupation. The new embassy is located in the zone.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL588652

[Botany]

1. The world's largest

How long before we have to leave that place?

[SpiralHawk]

2. Another massive republicon boondoggle

The republicons just Massively Squandered our tax money on this little Crusade Capital.

Ptooey...

[Botany]

3. Or the money went to KBR, Haliburton, & Bechtel

so what if the place sit empty?

[balantz]

4. Does the sign read "Open For Business As Usual" ? n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

5. It opens just in time for this re-enactment