WORLD / Middle East
Baghdad embassy plans turn up online
(AP)
Updated: 2007-06-01 08:27
WASHINGTON - Detailed plans for the new US Embassy under construction in
Baghdad appeared online Thursday in a breach of the tight security
surrounding the sensitive project.
This computer generated architectural rendering recently posted on the
architect's web site reportedly shows the entrance to the residence of
the Deputy Chief of Mission, part of the American Embassy complex in
Baghdad, Iraq, currently under construction. [AP]
Computer-generated projections of the soon-to-be completed, heavily
fortified compound were posted on the Web site of the Kansas City,
Mo.-based architectural firm that was contracted to design the massive
facility in the Iraqi capital.
The images were removed by Berger Devine Yaeger Inc. shortly after the
company was contacted by the State Department.
"We work very hard to ensure the safety and security of our employees
overseas," said Gonzalo Gallegos, a department spokesman. "This kind of
information out in the public domain detracts from that effort."
The 10 images included a scheme of the overall layout of the compound,
plus depictions of individual buildings including the embassy itself,
office annexes, the Marine Corps security post, swimming pool, recreation
center and the ambassador's and deputy ambassador's residences.
US officials said the posted plans conformed at least roughly to
conceptual drawings for the new embassy, which is being built on the
banks of the Tigris River behind huge fences due to concerns about
insurgents' attacks.
Dan Sreebny, a spokesman for the embassy in Baghdad, declined to discuss
the accuracy of the posted images.
"In terms of commenting whether they're accurate, obviously we wouldn't
be commenting on that because we don't want people to know whether
they're accurate or not for security reasons," he said.
Berger Devine Yaeger's parent company, the giant contractor Louis Berger
Group, said the plans had been very preliminary and would not be of help
to potential US enemies.
"The actual information that was up there was purely conjectural and
conceptual in nature," said company spokesman Jeffrey Willis. "Google
Earth could give you a better snapshot of what the site looks like on the
ground."
Some US officials acknowledged that damage may have been done by the
postings and used expletives to describe their personal reactions. Still,
they downplayed the overall risk.
"People are eventually going to figure out where all these places are,
but you don't have to draw them a map," said one senior official,
speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk
about the embassy project.
Few are, and in Baghdad, the construction is under heavy guard and
treated with extreme secrecy. It is off-limits to all but those with
special passes, surrounded by tall, concrete blast walls and impossible
to see except from the air.
The images posted on the Web site show that the $592 million embassy,
expected to be completed in September on prime real estate two-thirds the
size of Washington's National Mall, will be a spacious and comfortable
facility, albeit dangerous.
Identified as the "Baghdad US Embassy Compound Master Plan," the images
show palm-lined paths, green grass gardens and volleyball and basketball
courts outside the Marine post, as well as the swimming pool.
"In total, the 104-acre compound will include over twenty buildings,
including one classified secure structure and housing for over 380
families," the Web site says.
It says the compound will include the embassy building, housing, a PX,
commissary, cinema, retail and shopping areas, restaurants, schools, a
fire station, power and water treatment plants as well as
telecommunications and wastewater treatment facilities.
A US Senate Foreign Relations Committee report last year said embassy
security will be extraordinary: Setbacks and perimeter no-go areas will
be especially deep, structures reinforced to 2.5 times the standard and
five high-security entrances, plus an emergency entrance-exit.
Top World News
� Suspect: Murdered Russian spied for Britain
� Diplomats: Iran hinted at suspension
� Cancer expected to skyrocket in Asia
� Zoellick to be nominated to World Bank
� Sudan: US sanctions over Darfur unfair
Today's Top News
� Panama importer 'to blame for deaths'
� China: Japan puts relations at risk
� New law protects children's rights
� China hit by brain drain, report says
� Smoking deaths to double without action - WHO
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Learn Chinese, Chinese Course, Learn mandarin, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
No comments:
Post a Comment