Mortar hit on Baghdad embassy investigated
A mortar hit on the under-construction U.S. embassy in Baghdad has led to an investigation into possible irregularities in the project's development.
A congressional committee is trying to determine whether the building's blast-resistant walls performed up to standard in the inadvertent field test, McClatchy Newspapers reported. There are also allegations that James Golden, the State Department project supervisor, made changes at the scene of the explosion and that the department inspector general blocked an investigation.
The embassy, once it opens, will be a compound the size of Vatican City, housing and providing working space for 1,000 people. The opening has been postponed twice, once in June and again in September.
First Kuwaiti General Trading and Contracting Co. was awarded the $592 million contract without competitive bidding.
McClatchy, citing sources, said at least one criminal investigation is in progress. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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