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dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 11:40 AM Sep 2012

US Consulate in Benghazi was not given the standard security contract

1513: Frank Gardner BBC Security Correspondent

says: "The BBC has been told that the US Consulate in Benghazi which was fatally attacked and gutted on Tuesday was not given the standard security contract offered to most US diplomatic missions in the Middle East. The consulate's walls were breached in just 15 minutes, guards were outgunned and overwhelmed and 4 US personnel were killed, including the Ambassador, Chris Stevens."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19600542

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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US Consulate in Benghazi was not given the standard security contract (Original Post) dipsydoodle Sep 2012 OP
Who set up the contract? nt CJCRANE Sep 2012 #1
I got the impression from the wording, dipsydoodle Sep 2012 #2
The number of things contracted out would surprise you ProgressiveProfessor Sep 2012 #3
Yes but the issue here dipsydoodle Sep 2012 #4
That is the kind of detail that will come out over time ProgressiveProfessor Sep 2012 #5
Possibly... Blue_Tires Sep 2012 #6
Probably, but it's much harder to get permission to guard consulates with soldiers. (nt) Posteritatis Sep 2012 #7
It is certainly a more agressive posture ProgressiveProfessor Sep 2012 #8
I'm talking legally - embassies are US soil and consulates are not. (nt) Posteritatis Sep 2012 #9

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
3. The number of things contracted out would surprise you
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 02:13 PM
Sep 2012

Its markedly cheaper and really has not shown itself to be any more risk. Would the same number of Marines made a difference in Benghazi?

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
4. Yes but the issue here
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 02:33 PM
Sep 2012

is that there was "no standard contract" and as such the matching number of marines could have been nil. I do however get your drift.

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
5. That is the kind of detail that will come out over time
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 02:46 PM
Sep 2012

Also seen where it was a temporary site in an office building, vice a built for purpose structure.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
6. Possibly...
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 02:51 PM
Sep 2012

I've known too many gov't contractors who have delivered absolutely shitty value for the dollars paid...

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
8. It is certainly a more agressive posture
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 02:58 PM
Sep 2012

This could have been a ecnomic decision from a higher HQ or a local one. We also do not know what kind of contract it was. From what has been published, its doubtful short of a large number of troops, it would not have made a difference, uniformed or otherwise.

I submit the contractors gave full measure regardless.

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