U.S. abandons plan for Afghan consulate which has already cost $80million
The United States has given up on plans to build a consulate in Afghanistan after spending more than $80million and signing a 10-year lease on the site.
Federal officials abandoned the project that would have set up a consulate in the city of Mazar-e Sharif, located in the country's northern region.
Plans were put on halt after the officials determined that the consulate posed serious security concerns.
Abandoned: United States officials have given up on plans to have a consulate in Mazar-e Sharif (pictured) in the northern region of Afghanistan
In 2009, the U.S. greatly invested time and money to move forward with opening the consulate.
Richard C Holbrooke, who was President Barack Obama's envoy to Afghanistan at the time, had advocated for the consulate to be ready in 60 days.
The city was considered safe and U.S. leaders considered the project a symbol of America's commitment to Afghanistan.
As a result, the security issues and building problems were let slide, according to The Washington Post.
A significant problem included the local building techniques that would have left the site susceptible to car bombings, according to a U.S. Embassy in Kabul report obtained by the newspaper.
Concern: Officials decided against the consulate because of fears of car bombings and trouble responding to emergencies at the site (file photo)
Symbol: Leaders wanted the consulate, which would have been located near the sacred Blue Mosque (pictured), to show America's pledge to Afghanistan
The outside walls consisted of mud, manure and straw, which would make it difficult to endure a catastrophic event.
The compound chosen to serve as the consulate also shared a wall with local businesses and it was surrounded by tall buildings.
Officials were concerned that an attack could be easily made against the building, according to the newspaper.
The site's location also would have prevented a Black Hawk helicopter from landing in case of an emergency.
Relations: U.S. leaders were worried about attacks against the consulate and protests like this one in Mazar-e Sharif in 2011 would pose risks to the consulate
Military response crews would have taken up to two hours to reach the area.
Real threats were already present at the site, located close to one of the area's most religious sites called the Blue Mosque.
A car bombing killed four people at the Blue Mosque in December.
Earlier in 2011, a mob attacked a United Nations compound - close to the proposed consulate - killing seven workers.
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