Saddam's grand presidential palace likely site for U.S. Embassy
JIM KRANE, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, December 11, 2003
©2003 Associated Press

(12–11) 15:28 PST BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) ––

U.S. bombs never hit Saddam Hussein's grandiose presidential palace in Baghdad, making its ample meeting rooms and vast conference tables an ideal headquarters for U.S.–led occupation authorities after the war.

Now the building –– the physical seat and biggest symbol of Saddam's 23–year dictatorship –– is the likely site for the next U.S. Embassy in Iraq, U.S. officials in Washington and Iraq said this week.

A State Department official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the palace is among several locations under consideration for the embassy, where the U.S. government's official representative will be based after power is handed over to an Iraqi government by July 1.

Critics say the move will show the world that the U.S. intends to remain the true power in Iraq.