US Takes Over New Iraq Embassy

[unhappycamper]

US Takes Over New Iraq Embassy
April 15, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The United States has taken ownership of the mammoth new, heavily fortified embassy in Baghdad after months of delay, the State Department said April 14.

The government had held off on taking legal possession of the $736 million complex until construction problems and delays were resolved. An order signed April 14 covers the main embassy building but not additional office space now set aside for the top U.S. ground commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus.

The "certificate of occupancy" means the U.S. government can now move into 27 buildings inside the heavily protected compound inside the Green Zone, where a recent spate of insurgent attacks has killed at least two U.S. Soldiers and two American civilians.

The move is expected to take place in late May or early June.

The certificate "attests to substantial completion of construction, as well as successful testing and validation of the major buildings and communications systems," State Department spokesman Tom Casey said.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/us-takes-over-new-iraq-embassy.html

[shireen]

1. that compound belongs to Iraqis

Yes, "we" built it with our tax money. But considering what we have done to that country, we have no right to it. Convert that compound to a safe zone for hospitals and schools!