Baghdad anger at Bush's undiplomatic palace (Daniel McGrory)

[norml]

Baghdad anger at Bush's undiplomatic palace

Daniel McGrory, Baghdad
May 04, 2006

THE question puzzles and enrages a city: how is it that the Americans cannot keep the electricity running in Baghdad for more than a couple of hours a day, yet still manage to build the biggest embassy on earth?

Irritation grows as residents deprived of airconditioning and running water three years after the US-led invasion watch the massive US embassy they call "George W's palace" rising from the banks of the Tigris.

In the pavement cafes, people moan that the structure is bigger than anything Saddam Hussein built. They are not impressed by the architects' claims that it will be visible from space and cover an area larger than Vatican City. They are more interested in knowing whether the US State Department paid for the prime real estate or simply took it.

While families suffer electricity cuts, queue all day to fuel their cars and wait for water pipes to be connected, the US mission, due to open in June next year, will have its own power and water plants to cater for a population the size of a small town.

The design of the compound is supposed to be a secret, but you cannot hide the concrete contours of the 21 buildings that are taking shape.

Looming over the skyline, the embassy has the distinction of being the only big US building project in Iraq that is on time and within budget. In a week when Washington revealed a startling list of missed deadlines and overspending on building projects, Congress was told the bill for the embassy was $US592million ($772million).

The heavily guarded 42ha site - which will have a 3m-thick perimeter wall - has hundreds of workers swarming on scaffolding. Locals are bitter that the Kuwaiti contractor has employed only foreign staff.


snip


http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19019060-2703,00.html

[meegbear]

1. In-fucking-credible ...

no other words can describe this for me.

[donsu]

2. I'd think everyone in the world would be pissed at this monster embassy

built by the monster bushmilhousegang

[Sequoia]

3. I see the plan now: The Middle Eastern White House

We're gonna rule the world now.

[Oversea Visitor]

4. We make it one of the wonders of the world

Make nice history for perpetuality
NICE
and also the SUPERBASE
NICE
And the 50 years struggle of the Iraqies people to get their country back

[norml]

11. Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

[AndyA]

5. My, my, my the Iraqi people certainly do love George Bush, don't they?

Almost as much as he's loved in other countries around the world. The result of bringing integrity back to the White House, no doubt. And shoving Democracy down the throats of all, whether they want it, need it, or not. This Embassy is a symbol of everything wrong with American government today. It's big, excessive, expensive, and unnecessary. But what Bush wants, Bush gets.

Let's hope that the disdain, anger, and outrage make it to the polls in November and in 2008. Then we can go about undoing all the wrongs forced on us and the world.

So what is Bush's TRUE approval rating now? 9%? 7%?

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. I'm surprised this isn't

covered more in the press.............no wait a minute. I'm not surprised! :mad:
If this article is anywhere near close, how did * get the authorization to build a $592 MILLION embassy? Why do we need an embassy if there isn't a goverment there?
Geez, it just gets worse and worse........

[stevenleser]

10. I'm considering an article on it if there isnt much out there...

...I just dont want to rehash old news

[Inland]

7. Bush says, have faith in Iraq future while building a 3 yrd thick wall

perimeter. Actions speak louder than words.

[Divernan]

8. The Bubble Boy Embassy. Nightmarish!

nt

[Jack Rabbit]

9. It's called imperialism for a reason

The viceroy must have his imperial palace.