State Department Buildings Chief Steps Down Amid Questions Over New Baghdad Embassy

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State Dept. building chief steps down

State Department Buildings Chief Steps Down Amid Questions Over New Baghdad Embassy

MATTHEW LEE
AP News

Dec 19, 2007 16:14 EST

The man in charge of all U.S. government buildings abroad announced his retirement on Wednesday amid questions over the construction of the mammoth new $600 million embassy in Iraq.

Retired Army Gen. Charles E. Williams, the director of the State Department's Overseas Buildings Operations, told his staff he would be leaving at the end of the year, officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement of his departure.

He is the third senior State Department official to step down this year under Iraq-related scrutiny.

Williams, who was in the job for seven years, had attracted criticism for his management style, particularly over the high-profile Baghdad embassy project. The compound had been due to be completed in September but has been beset by construction, logistical and security hitches, and its opening has now been delayed until well into next year.

The officials said Williams was not forced to retire but made a point of noting that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accepted his resignation without hesitation.

Williams' office said he was not immediately available for comment.

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