State Department requests $1.5 billion to protect U.S. diplomats

[ProSense]

State seeks $1.5 billion for Iraq

By RICHARD LARDNER, Associated Press Writer 21 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The State Department's request for $1.5 billion to protect U.S. diplomats and a growing number of reconstruction teams on the ground is a pricey reminder that the war-torn country remains a dangerous place.

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The Baghdad security money also will pay for armored vehicles, bulletproof vests, ammunition, X-ray machines, bomb-sniffing dogs, barriers to prevent attacks by suicide bombers, and overhead shields to deflect mortar attacks, according to an Oct. 22 budget document sent to Congress.

<...>

The State Department budget document lists four teams in need of "adequate movement security." Each operates outside of Baghdad in towns such as Basra, a port city in the south where British forces are reducing their presence, and Irbil, an area in the north dominated by the Kurds.

The document notes that aviation support, which allows security teams to respond quickly to hostile action or transport injured personnel, is a "major component of the security cost" for the reconstruction teams. The budget document does not specify how much, however.

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Obviously, Iraq isn't as safe as the Bushies have been spinning it to be.

[robinlynne]

1. I say end the war first, then we give diplomats all the money they want for diplomacy.

[peace13]

2. Why don't we get the protection for the troops...

and the troops can protect the diplomats? I think they deserve a break.

[icnorth]

5. Surely you jest...

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[Turbineguy]

3. So you have to wonder...

do these diplomats provide some value that it is worth say $2 million a piece to protect them? I'm not saying they should be without protection, I'm just saying would they be better off just staying someplace where they did not need this protection.

If you consider protection as a cost the same as salary and benefits would not other diplomats be entitled to $2 plus million incomes for the service they provide?

In a commercial setting you would have to be making a lot of money per employee to justify such a cost.

[movonne]

4. I guess they are having a real hard time convincing them to go..so

second we will buy them..and that is where our money is going...we should not even be there...

[BeHereNow]

6. But no healthcare for Americans...

go figure.
BHN

[ProSense]

7. Kick! n/t

[caffefwee]

8. and no money for SCHIP

n/t

[caffefwee]

9. kick

kick