Even sprinkler systems fail at U.S. embassy in Baghdad

[Barrett808]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

Even sprinkler systems fail at U.S. embassy in Baghdad
By Warren P. Strobel | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — The latest problem with the trouble-plagued new U.S. embassy complex in Iraq is that the sprinkler systems meant to contain a fire do not work, according to officials in Congress and the State Department.

The previously undisclosed problem in the $592 million project was discovered several weeks ago when the fire-safety systems were tested and pipe joints burst, State Department representatives recently informed Congress.

The embassy complex, being built by First Kuwaiti General Trade and Contracting Co., has been marred by repeated problems. In May, when kitchen facilities at a guard camp that is part of the embassy complex were tested, the electrical system malfunctioned and wires melted. A subsequent inquiry showed that First Kuwaiti had used counterfeit electrical wiring that did not meet specifications, according to testimony at a congressional hearing in July.

Former top investigators for State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard have charged that Krongard refused to aggressively investigate allegations of misconduct by First Kuwaiti and deficiencies in the Baghdad Embassy.

Krongard has disputed his former aides' version of events, and is expected to testify before Congress later this month.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/20277.html

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

1. Who cares? It's ONLY our national treasure pissing into the gutter.

That place is just another gigantic albatross around the neck of this nation, and it's going to crumble around the people living there just like every other endeavor begun by the criminal empire in the past seven years.

[Benhurst]

2. The BushAmerican Empire is falling apart before it's established.

The World's Only Superpower, indeed.

[Bombero1956]

3. typical

That's what happens the government gets in bed with a scumbag company like First Kuwaiti General Trade and Contracting Co. There have been allegations of trafficking in slave labor in the past.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38193

As for the sprinkler system it seems like a proper plan review wasn't done. A hydrostatic test would've shown any problem areas before the walls were put up. Corners are being cut and we the tax payers are on the hook.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. how does one cut corners w/ a 600Mill. monstrosity?

The idea is truly incredible.

[yardwork]

9. Easy. Hire crooks to "build" it.

Ask the Mob. Or the Bush Crime Family.

[bhikkhu]

10. Or slaves - imported or local.

How many of those workers do you imagine were proud to be on the project? Think of it as having prison inmates building a grand new watchtower. In the age of machines we lose sight of the amount of skilled handwork involved in every step of a building like this - from laying the concrete to each pipe joint. And we lose sight of the amount of mischief that poor workmanship can cause, whether deliberate or accidental or by the use of shoddy materials...I hope the embassy is never used, myself, another concrete monstrosity on the landscape...

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. but our MSM is not telling us this! so it can't be true. It just can't!

talk to a republican about indentured workers, and they say their dental benefits must be too high.

[Magleetis]

5. No problem

Congress will pass another supplemental spending bill to fix it.

[tanyev]

6. Jeez. Krongard again.

He's also involved in the Blackwater fiasco.

WASHINGTON — Aides to State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard threatened two investigators with retaliation this week if they cooperate with a congressional probe into Krongard's office, the chairman of a House of Representatives panel and other U.S. officials said Friday.

The allegations are the latest in a growing uproar surrounding Krongard. Current and former officials in his office charge that he impeded investigations into alleged arms smuggling by employees of the private security firm Blackwater and into faulty construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/20100.html


Not to mention his connection to Blackwater through his brother Buzzy and good pal Cofer Black.

Also in a senior position with Buzzy Krongard for several months was 28-year CIA veteran Cofer Black, who served as CIA counter-terror head when the 9/11 attack occurred. Following that position, he served as in the State Department as a counter-terrorism 'Ambassador-at-Large', where he would have interfaced with the Inspector General, Howard Krongard.

Black retired in 2004, and was almost immediately named by Blackwater USA to the post of Vice Chairman of Blackwater -- the same Blackwater USA whose possible criminal acts were blocked from being investigated by his former State Dept colleague Howard Krongard, brother of Black's CIA colleague Buzzy Krongard.
http://primarysources.newsvine.com/_news/2007/09/18/970711-blackwater-scandal-widening


And Buzzy's connection to the 9/11 put options.

September 6-10, 2001: Suspicious Trading of Put Option Contracts on American and United Airlines Occur

Suspicious trading occurs on the stock of American and United, the two airlines hijacked in the 9/11 attacks. “Between 6 and 7 September, the Chicago Board Options Exchange purchases of 4,744 put option contracts in UAL versus 396 call options—where a speculator bets on a price rising. Holders of the put options would a profit of $5 million once the carrier’s share price after September 11. On September 10, 4,516 put options in American Airlines, the other airline involved in the hijackings, purchased in Chicago. This compares with a mere 748 call options in American purchased that day. Investigators cannot help but notice that no other airlines such trading in their put options.” One analyst later says, “I saw put-call numbers higher than I’ve ever seen in ten years of following the markets, particularly the options markets.”

“To the embarrassment of investigators, it has also that the firm used to buy many of the ‘put’ options… on United Airlines stock was headed until 1998 by ‘Buzzy’ Krongard, now executive director of the CIA.” Krongard was chairman of Alex Brown Inc., which was bought by Deutsche Bank. “His last post before resigning to take his senior role in the CIA was to head Bankers Trust—Alex Brown’s private client business, dealing with the accounts and investments of wealthy customers around the world.”
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/context.jsp?item=a090601putsshorts#a090601putsshorts

[underpants]

7. Way over budget-BOY! there's a surprise huh?

I'll bet they have some great corporate management consultants lined up to come in and help "streamline" this operation

Good lord talk about bending over backwards to prove your point that govt sucks

[yardwork]

8. We should make every Republican go live there.

Deport them all to their wonderful expensive embassy and let them all live there in exile.

[hedgehog]

11. Reminds me of when the Russions built the Moscow Embassy for

us and it came complete with listening devices embedded in every wall!

[alfredo]

12. Krongard needs to go to prison.

[gateley]

13. Don't you think Congress has had it with all this crap? I hope they nail him. nt

[Demeter]

14. All They Need To Do Is Flush The Upstairs Toilets

There were reports of the raw sewage running down the walls....

[ChairmanAgnostic]

16. that was another huge building

a police headquarters not inside the green zone.
They spent many millions on it, and it is totally useless.