The result was two hours of slow-building arguments about whether the State Department’s crowded org chart prevented quick action or accountability when it came to diplomatic safety. Only after that did Gowdy take back the mic and set a trap for Gregory Starr, the assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security who worked briefly under Hillary Clinton and returned to State last year. Gowdy read from an unnamed document full of promises to fix up embassy security. ” ‘We praise the ambassador for seeking security enhancements long before the attack,’ ” said Gowdy. “Do you know what that’s from?” “I believe it’s part of the ARB report,” said Starr. “From nineteen-ninety-nine,” said Gowdy, drawing out each number. Starr cheerfully tried to recover from Gowdy’s throat-punch. “After Nairobi, correct?” he asked. … “‘The Secretary of State should personally review the security situation of diplomatic facilities, closing those which are threatened,’ ” said Gowdy, quoting the report. “Why do you think the 1999 ARB went out of its way to use the word personally?” Starr paused. “No comment, sir,” he said. Gowdy was temporarily stunned. “Is the answer privileged?” he asked. “That’s a recommendation from the 1999 ARB. The secretary of state should personally review. I’m asking you, with all due respect—we’re not going to get to the word review. We’ve got to get past the word which modifies review, which is personally.” Starr had an answer, finally. “I think ultimately the secretary, who bears responsibility, has to be brought the information necessary for him to make decisions,” he said. “That is my job.”
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 22:50:50 +0000
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