sappstuf
12/19/2012, 03:52 AM
The report from the Accountability Review Board was released....
The Board concluded that there was no protest prior to the attacks
I would really like to know what specific intelligence was so strong that caused the Obama administration to run with the protest story long after it was no longer plausible.
Systemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels within two bureaus of the State Department (the “Department”) resulted in a Special Mission security posture that was inadequate for Benghazi
Hillary's political career should be done. But I honestly doubt she will ever be held accountable.
Overall, the number of Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) security staff in Benghazi on the day of the attack and in the months and weeks leading up to it was inadequate, despite repeated requests from Special Mission Benghazi and Embassy Tripoli for additional staffing.
They were begging for help... Didn't get it.
The insufficient Special Mission security platform was at variance with the appropriate Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB) standards with respect to perimeter and interior security. Benghazi was also severely under-resourced with regard to certain needed security equipment
"at variance" is fancy term for it didn't meet our own requirements.
In the weeks and months leading up to the attacks, the response from post, Embassy Tripoli, and Washington to a deteriorating security situation was inadequate. At the same time, the SMC’s dependence on the armed but poorly skilled Libyan February 17 Martyrs’ Brigade (February 17) militia members and unarmed, locally contracted Blue Mountain Libya (BML) guards for security support was misplaced.
Hung them out to dry.
The Board found that Ambassador Stevens made the decision to travel to Benghazi independently of Washington, per standard practice.
Blame the dead guy.
The Board’s inquiry found little evidence that the armed February 17 guards offered any meaningful defense of the SMC, or succeeded in
summoning a February 17 militia presence to assist expeditiously.
There was no defense.
The Board recognizes that poor performance does not ordinarily constitute a breach of duty that would serve as a basis for disciplinary action but is instead addressed through the performance management system. However, the Board is of the view that findings of unsatisfactory leadership performance by senior officials in relation to the security incident under review should be a potential basis for discipline recommendations by future ARBs, and would recommend a revision of Department regulations or amendment to the relevant statute to this end.
No one will be held responsible.
However, 2012 saw an overall deterioration of the security environment in Benghazi, as highlighted by a series of security incidents
involving the Special Mission, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and third-country nationals and diplomats:
March 18, 2012 – Armed robbery occurs at the British School in Benghazi.
March 22, 2012 – Members of a militia searching for a suspect fire their weapons near the SMC and attempt to enter.
April 2, 2012 – A UK armored diplomatic vehicle is attacked after driving into a local protest. The vehicle was damaged but occupants uninjured.
April 6, 2012 – A gelatina bomb (traditional homemade explosive device used for fishing) is thrown over the SMC north wall.
April 10, 2012 – An IED (gelatina or dynamite stick) is thrown at the motorcade of the UN Special Envoy to Libya in Benghazi.
April 26, 2012 – Special Mission Benghazi principal officer is evacuated from International Medical University (IMU) after a fistfight escalated to
gunfire between Tripoli-based trade delegation security personnel and IMU security.
April 27, 2012 – Two South African nationals in Libya as part of U.S.-funded weapons abatement, unexploded ordnance removal and demining
project are detained at gunpoint by militia, questioned and released.
May 22, 2012 – Benghazi International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) building struck by rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).
May 28, 2012 – A previously unknown organization, Omar Abdurrahman group, claims responsibility for the ICRC attack and issues a threat against the United States on social media sites.
June 6, 2012 – IED attack on the SMC. The IED detonates with no injuries but blows a large hole in the compound’s exterior wall. Omar Abdurrahman
group makes an unsubstantiated claim of responsibility.
June 8, 2012 – Two hand grenades target a parked UK diplomatic vehicle in Sabha (800 km south of Benghazi).
June 11, 2012 – While in Benghazi, the British Ambassador’s convoy is attacked with an RPG and possible AK-47s. Two UK security officers are
injured; the UK closes its mission in Benghazi the following day.
June 12, 2012 – An RPG attack is made on the ICRC compound in Misrata (400 km west of Benghazi).
June 18, 2012 – Protestors storm the Tunisian consulate in Benghazi.
July 29, 2012 – An IED is found on grounds of the Tibesti Hotel.
July 30, 2012 – Sudanese Consul in Benghazi is carjacked and driver beaten.
July 31, 2012 – Seven Iranian-citizen ICRC workers abducted in Benghazi.
August 5, 2012 – ICRC Misrata office is attacked with RPGs. ICRC withdraws its representatives from Misrata and Benghazi.
August 9, 2012 – A Spanish-American dual national NGO worker is abducted from the Islamic Cultural Center in Benghazi and released the
same day.
August 20, 2012 – A small bomb is thrown at an Egyptian diplomat’s vehicle parked outside of the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi.
It is worth noting that the events above took place against a general backdrop of political violence, assassinations targeting former regime officials, lawlessness, and an overarching absence of central government authority in eastern Libya.
That is the back drop to which we had no security. Incredible.
Hillary's response?
She said that the State Department had already begun to address the lapses and that she accepts “every one” of the recommendations for improvement.
Wait... I thought she was suffering from a concussion? Does she have the mental capacity to accept "every one" of the recommendations? She is such a trooper.
The Board concluded that there was no protest prior to the attacks
I would really like to know what specific intelligence was so strong that caused the Obama administration to run with the protest story long after it was no longer plausible.
Systemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels within two bureaus of the State Department (the “Department”) resulted in a Special Mission security posture that was inadequate for Benghazi
Hillary's political career should be done. But I honestly doubt she will ever be held accountable.
Overall, the number of Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) security staff in Benghazi on the day of the attack and in the months and weeks leading up to it was inadequate, despite repeated requests from Special Mission Benghazi and Embassy Tripoli for additional staffing.
They were begging for help... Didn't get it.
The insufficient Special Mission security platform was at variance with the appropriate Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB) standards with respect to perimeter and interior security. Benghazi was also severely under-resourced with regard to certain needed security equipment
"at variance" is fancy term for it didn't meet our own requirements.
In the weeks and months leading up to the attacks, the response from post, Embassy Tripoli, and Washington to a deteriorating security situation was inadequate. At the same time, the SMC’s dependence on the armed but poorly skilled Libyan February 17 Martyrs’ Brigade (February 17) militia members and unarmed, locally contracted Blue Mountain Libya (BML) guards for security support was misplaced.
Hung them out to dry.
The Board found that Ambassador Stevens made the decision to travel to Benghazi independently of Washington, per standard practice.
Blame the dead guy.
The Board’s inquiry found little evidence that the armed February 17 guards offered any meaningful defense of the SMC, or succeeded in
summoning a February 17 militia presence to assist expeditiously.
There was no defense.
The Board recognizes that poor performance does not ordinarily constitute a breach of duty that would serve as a basis for disciplinary action but is instead addressed through the performance management system. However, the Board is of the view that findings of unsatisfactory leadership performance by senior officials in relation to the security incident under review should be a potential basis for discipline recommendations by future ARBs, and would recommend a revision of Department regulations or amendment to the relevant statute to this end.
No one will be held responsible.
However, 2012 saw an overall deterioration of the security environment in Benghazi, as highlighted by a series of security incidents
involving the Special Mission, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and third-country nationals and diplomats:
March 18, 2012 – Armed robbery occurs at the British School in Benghazi.
March 22, 2012 – Members of a militia searching for a suspect fire their weapons near the SMC and attempt to enter.
April 2, 2012 – A UK armored diplomatic vehicle is attacked after driving into a local protest. The vehicle was damaged but occupants uninjured.
April 6, 2012 – A gelatina bomb (traditional homemade explosive device used for fishing) is thrown over the SMC north wall.
April 10, 2012 – An IED (gelatina or dynamite stick) is thrown at the motorcade of the UN Special Envoy to Libya in Benghazi.
April 26, 2012 – Special Mission Benghazi principal officer is evacuated from International Medical University (IMU) after a fistfight escalated to
gunfire between Tripoli-based trade delegation security personnel and IMU security.
April 27, 2012 – Two South African nationals in Libya as part of U.S.-funded weapons abatement, unexploded ordnance removal and demining
project are detained at gunpoint by militia, questioned and released.
May 22, 2012 – Benghazi International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) building struck by rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).
May 28, 2012 – A previously unknown organization, Omar Abdurrahman group, claims responsibility for the ICRC attack and issues a threat against the United States on social media sites.
June 6, 2012 – IED attack on the SMC. The IED detonates with no injuries but blows a large hole in the compound’s exterior wall. Omar Abdurrahman
group makes an unsubstantiated claim of responsibility.
June 8, 2012 – Two hand grenades target a parked UK diplomatic vehicle in Sabha (800 km south of Benghazi).
June 11, 2012 – While in Benghazi, the British Ambassador’s convoy is attacked with an RPG and possible AK-47s. Two UK security officers are
injured; the UK closes its mission in Benghazi the following day.
June 12, 2012 – An RPG attack is made on the ICRC compound in Misrata (400 km west of Benghazi).
June 18, 2012 – Protestors storm the Tunisian consulate in Benghazi.
July 29, 2012 – An IED is found on grounds of the Tibesti Hotel.
July 30, 2012 – Sudanese Consul in Benghazi is carjacked and driver beaten.
July 31, 2012 – Seven Iranian-citizen ICRC workers abducted in Benghazi.
August 5, 2012 – ICRC Misrata office is attacked with RPGs. ICRC withdraws its representatives from Misrata and Benghazi.
August 9, 2012 – A Spanish-American dual national NGO worker is abducted from the Islamic Cultural Center in Benghazi and released the
same day.
August 20, 2012 – A small bomb is thrown at an Egyptian diplomat’s vehicle parked outside of the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi.
It is worth noting that the events above took place against a general backdrop of political violence, assassinations targeting former regime officials, lawlessness, and an overarching absence of central government authority in eastern Libya.
That is the back drop to which we had no security. Incredible.
Hillary's response?
She said that the State Department had already begun to address the lapses and that she accepts “every one” of the recommendations for improvement.
Wait... I thought she was suffering from a concussion? Does she have the mental capacity to accept "every one" of the recommendations? She is such a trooper.