Embassy Construction: State Department Has Implemented Management Reforms, but Challenges Remain;Report to the Congress

摘要

Since the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, the State Department has done much to improve physical security at overseas posts. However, most overseas diplomatic office facilities still do not meet the security standards State developed to protect these sites from terrorist attacks and other dangers. To correct this problem, State in 1999 embarked on an estimated ;21 billion embassy construction program. The program's key objective is to provide secure, safe, and functional compounds for employees overseas-in most cases by building replacement facilities. In 2001, State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO)-which manages the program-began instituting reforms in its structure and operations to meet the challenges of the embassy construction program. This report discusses (1) OBO's mechanisms for more effectively managing the embassy construction program and (2) the status of and challenges facing the program. We received comments from State, which said that the report is a fair and accurate representation overall of the Department's overseas construction process.