Article

2012-10-10 Africa North

US OFFICIALS: WE DIDN'T LINK LIBYA ATTACK TO VIDEO

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Posted by Beavis 2012-10-10 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11127 views ] Top

#1 Last time I checked, the Ambassador to the UN worked for State. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted by Procopius2k 2012-10-10 00:04|| 2012-10-10 00:04|| Front Page Top

#2 The Democratic memo said Nordstrom told committee investigators that he sent two cables to State Department headquarters in March and July 2012 requesting additional diplomatic security agents for Benghazi, but that he received no responses.

When the above happened, it was then incumbent upon RSO Eric Nordstrom to discuss the issue with Ambassador Stevens who could then go around Lamb and discuss it directly with the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security (DS) or Secretary Clinton herself. The CIA Chief of Station (COS) and the mission's US Defense Attache could have also been brought into the discussion in the event the Clinton discussions were unsucccessful. I personally cannot believe that the RSO failed to discuss the issue with the Ambassador and recommend a solution.

The mission's Counterintelligence Coordinating Authority (CICA) working for the Defense Attache, and in concert with the COS, also has responsibility for monitoring security for the
mission.

One of two things appears to have taken place:

a. Stevens told his staff to drop it, and did not pursue the issue.
b. Stevens was told by Clinton to drop it.

The question must now be asked, was Secretary Clinton aware of the security issue in Benghazi ?

Posted by Besoeker 2012-10-10 01:59|| 2012-10-10 01:59|| Front Page Top

#3 "Last time I checked, the Ambassador to the UN worked for State. Please correct me if I'm wrong. "

No. UN Ambassador reports directly to the President and is a cabinet level position.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet

Posted by crosspatch 2012-10-10 03:08|| 2012-10-10 03:08|| Front Page Top

#4 Hillary positioning herself for 2016. Obama? Never heard of him.

Posted by Spot 2012-10-10 07:42|| 2012-10-10 07:42|| Front Page Top

#5 Yep, US Ambassadors are appointed by the POTUS.

Posted by Besoeker 2012-10-10 08:52|| 2012-10-10 08:52|| Front Page Top

#6 thanks.

Posted by Procopius2k 2012-10-10 09:13|| 2012-10-10 09:13|| Front Page Top

#7 Obama under the bus or rewriting history?

Posted by Rjschwarz 2012-10-10 10:02|| 2012-10-10 10:02|| Front Page Top

#8 It isn't just that Ambassadors are appointed by the President but the UN mission does not come under the State Department. The UN Ambassador reports directly to the White House and not to State.

The Ambassador to the UN is a peer with the Secretary of State as both are members of the cabinet.

Posted by crosspatch 2012-10-10 11:14|| 2012-10-10 11:14|| Front Page Top

#9 US mission does not come under the State Department.

Unless something has changed dramatically, for the day-to-day function of security (the issue at hand), I think you'll find the State Dept. has the rose pinned on it.

Posted by Besoeker 2012-10-10 11:21|| 2012-10-10 11:21|| Front Page Top

#10 The security at USUN is without a doubt a State/DS thing.
#2 Besoeker
--If the RSO sent 2 cables requesting add'l security, you can rest assured the Ambo was aware of the cables and approved them.
--I've worked at 5 embassies and have never heard of the CICA. There is a working group for CI-related matters but DAO/COS have a very limited role in the day to day security of an embassy.
--I'm removed from the drama but I can tell you that this is huge poop storm. I would not be surprised to see some "health problems" crop up w/senior DS folks JUST after the election.

Posted by Bangkok Billy 2012-10-10 11:36|| 2012-10-10 11:36|| Front Page Top

#11 The Ambassador to Libya works for:

The assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, who has left the building as of May. His deputy is:

Elizabeth Dibble, who is principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.

She works for:
Wendy R. Sherman, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

She works for:
William J. Burns Deputy Secretary of State D(B) through the executive Secretariat.

And all these paper-pushers work for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Now Hillary and Burns have another office for security that works for them run by Under Secretary for Management, Patrick F. Kennedy. It is run by:

Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security - Eric J. Boswell. And his wing nut for foreign security is:

Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs -- Charlene R. Lamb

So basically, Dibble (or a superior) ordered Stevens to go to Benghazi on 9/11, and Lamb (or a superior) did not have any security there. Someone at the top of the State Dept, either Hillary or her deputies, will have to fall on this grenade eventually.

Posted by rammer 2012-10-10 11:54|| 2012-10-10 11:54|| Front Page Top

#12 Rammer, face it: it won't be Hilary falling on the grenade.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2012-10-10 13:15|| 2012-10-10 13:15|| Front Page Top

#13 Bangkok Billy:

Your embassy background is obviously more extensive and probably more current than mine. I have however, worked with a couple of Counterintelligence Coordinators (military types under the DEFAT) mid to late 1990's. Tried to steer clear of that crowd, no further comment. Yes, I concur, a very large "poop storm". My experience with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) was very positive. Back in the day, many were former miliary. I'd hate to see those folks become scapegoats.

Posted by Besoeker 2012-10-10 13:26|| 2012-10-10 13:26|| Front Page Top

#14 This guy was the previous winner, before the State department leapt into the winning spot.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2012-10-10 13:56|| 2012-10-10 13:56|| Front Page Top

#15 For what it's worth, the US DoS web site org chart lists the US Mission to the UN as under the Sec. of State. So Hillary is Rice's boss.

Posted by Spot 2012-10-10 14:20|| 2012-10-10 14:20|| Front Page Top

#16 "Someone at the top of the State Dept, either Hillary or her deputies, will have to fall on this grenade eventually."

but ... but ... but
that would imply the world is still RESPONSIBLE for its own actions. I thought we had moved beyond that point. We are now in the New World Disorder :-)

Posted by Raider 2012-10-10 15:22|| 2012-10-10 15:22|| Front Page Top

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