If we are supposed to be economically sensitive, should we take a second look at that expensive embassy rising in Iraq?

If we are so concerned about the economy and the state and well-being of our federal budget, we should re-visit the budget of that super-embassy building rising in Baghdad.

Back in 1995, there was an emergency supplemental appropriation bill which included $592 million for embassy construction. Due to cost overruns, construction problems, and alleged illegal practices committed by contractors, the completion date has been delayed into 2008. It was originally scheduled to be completed last fall.

Do we have some sort of size inferiority complex? This super-embassy or superbunker or maybe superfortress will be the largest and most expensive, containing 21 reinforced buildings on a 104-acre site along the Tigris River. Even with the $600 million price tag to build it, it will also cost $1.2 BILLION just to maintain it each year. The structure would be bigger than anything Saddam Hussein had built. It is larger than Vatican City and big enough to accomodate four Millennium Domes.

There will be about 1,000 regular employees, plus up to 3,000 additional staff members, which may consist of security personnel or perhaps a couple of mercs. I guess it would be enough to stage a quick coup if the Iraqi government does not fit within the U.S.' plans.

It is essentially a city within a city. It has six apartment buildings for employees, water and waste treatment facilities, a power station, two "major diplomatic office buildings," recreation gym, cinema, and the largest swimming pool in Iraq. The best part is restaurant row filled with delicacies from our favorite food chains.

I would think that when completed, our taxpayer funds have provided the best isolated environment for the people stationed there. There is no need for our folks to mingle with the Iraqi people. Plus our embassy cannot be ignored by citizens living in their capital city. The Prime Minister of Iraq would get up and just see it in his bedroom window every morning.

Plus with 104 acres, insurgents would have no problem lobbing a couple of mortars and rockets since they got a huge target area to deal with. Honestly.

Links

Vanity Fair - The Mega-Bunker of Baghdad

Wikipedia - US Iraqi Embassy