On Thursday, the Committee held a hearing to examine the performance of the State Department and its contractors in the construction of the new $600 million U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The Committee asked questions regarding the embassy compound construction as well as allegations of labor abuse through improper contracting practices. A transcript of this hearing is now available.
The following witnesses testified:
- Mr. John Owens, Former Employee, First Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting Company
- Mr. Rory Mayberry, Former Subcontractor Employee, First Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting Company
- Mr. Karl Demming, KBR
- Major General (Retired) Charles E. Williams, Director, Office of Overseas Building Operations, Department of State
- Mr. William Moser, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions, Department of State
- Hon. Patrick Kennedy, Director, Office of Management Policy, Department of State
- Mr. Howard J. Krongard, Inspector General, Department of State