US to spend $1 billion on embassy expansions in Pakistan, Afghanistan

[laststeamtrain]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

US to spend $1 billion on embassy expansions in Pakistan, Afghanistan
Diplomatic presence on the scale of Iraq prompts concerns in Pakistan about American meddling
By Saeed Shah and Warren P. Strobel | McClatchy Newspapers

Islamabad - The US is embarking on a $1 billion crash program to expand its diplomatic presence in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, another sign that the Obama administration is making a costly, long-term commitment to war-torn South Asia, US officials said Wednesday.

The White House has asked Congress for – and seems likely to receive – $736 million to build a new US embassy in Islamabad, along with permanent housing for US government civilians and new office space in the Pakistani capital.

The scale of the projects rivals the giant US Embassy in Baghdad, which was completed last year after construction delays at a cost of $740 million.

Senior State Department officials said the expanded diplomatic presence is needed to replace overcrowded, dilapidated and unsafe facilities and to support a "surge" of civilian officials into Afghanistan and Pakistan ordered by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0528/p90s01-wosc.html

[Haole Girl]

1. I can't think of a bigger waste of money right now. (nt)

[saigon68]

6. Coming to a theater soon near you

[earcandle]

2. wait a fucking minute. Spend that on HR 676 instead NOW>

[yy4me]

3. You mean there is nothing to rent? Plenty around here!

Seriously, this is another huge waste of money. Does Washington ever learn? What is wrong with them!

The Baghdad embassy is almost unusable, we'll build more using the same contractors.
Seriously folks, I'm sick of all of it.

Viva La Revolution. Why are we not in the streets! Oh yea, I forgot, we're in the unemployment lines.

I have about hit the point where there is nothing good I can say about the state of affairs we are in. It did not have to be like this.

Ike was right.

[ddiver]

4. I guess after you start spending trillions with abandon, you simply piss billions away at will.

Washington has to get their perspective back in line with reality. Millions and billions are still big numbers!

[ohio2007]

5. the Obama administration is making a costly, long-term commitment

Well, it's his call now. Hopefully the Pak building and construction unions will get a boost in membership...as long as they are properly vetted of course.... to work on these new deal WPA/CCC projects.

imo, the workmanship will be done with higher quality and less waste then the fraud infested Green Zone city embassy $740 million white elephant.

[Vidar]

7. Europe stopped building fortresses after Verdun in WWI. We haven't learned that lesson yet.