US inaugurates $700m embassy in Iraqi Green Zone

THE United States inaugurated its largest embassy ever in the heart of the Green Zone yesterday, officially opening the fortress-like compound that was built as a testament to America’s commitment to Iraq.

Addressing an inauguration ceremony under tight security, US ambassador Ryan Crocker said the $700 million (€515m) embassy was testimony to America’s long-term friendship with Iraq, where about 146,000 US troops are deployed.

“From this embassy in the years to come, we look forward to building our partnership and contributing to the future,” Crocker said.

Attacks once again rocked Baghdad a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 38 people at a Shi’ite shrine just six kilometres north of the site of the new embassy. Four bombs exploded in different parts of Baghdad just before noon yesterday, killing four people and wounding 19.

“It is from the embassy that you see before you that we will continue the tradition of friendship, cooperation and support begun by the many dedicated Americans who have worked in Iraq since 2003,” said US deputy secretary of state John Negroponte.

Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, a longtime Washington ally, praised US president George W Bush’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003 and topple the regime of Saddam Hussein.

“The building of this site would not be possible without the courageous decision by President Bush to liberate Iraq,” said Talabani, a Kurd.

“This building is a symbol of the deep friendship between the two peoples of Iraq and America.”

US diplomats moved into the embassy on December 31 after vacating Saddam’s Republican Palace.

The palace will now seat the Iraqi government and the office of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who did not attend the ceremony because he was in Iran.