US Embassy Kabul: Camp Sullivan Goes Dry

POGO Story Day 3 The US Embassy Kabul released a brief statement on the POGO story yesterday. Today, it posted a longer statement (reprinted in full below):

September 3, 2009 U.S. Embassy Statement on Local Guard Force Since learning of the allegations by the Project on Government Oversight, the U.S. Embassy has taken a number of immediate steps to ensure our security is sound and that our Embassy community is well informed. The Ambassador and other senior Embassy officials held a Town Hall meeting today to discuss the current situation with American and Afghan staff. A full review of local guard force policies and procedures is underway and a full investigation is ongoing. Embassy officials continue to interview guard force personnel as a part of the investigation, to assess the need for possible suspensions and terminations. Alcohol is now prohibited at Camp Sullivan and Embassy Diplomatic Security staff have been assigned to the Camp on a full-time basis. An additional Diplomatic Security Officer has also been assigned to manage the local guard contract. We look forward to working closely with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) as they carry out their investigation and will continue to take every possible step to ensure the safety and security of American Embassy personnel, while respecting the values of all Afghans, Americans and contract employees and visitors from other countries.

They did recognize the importance of a rapid response. And that's good. But Camp Sullivan will probably be a dry country for the foreseeable future .