Iraq Reconstruction Teams Delayed at State Department

I'm not sure where to place this small story, but I thought I would post it. This is from The Washington Post:

Earlier this year, the State Department began soliciting personnel for provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) for Iraq, a new concept designed to take diplomats out of Baghdad and into the provinces.

"We urgently need talented State Department Foreign Service and Civil Service volunteers to staff sixteen new teams being formed beginning now and in early 2006," a State Department cable told employees. "The PRTs will assist Iraq's provincial governments with developing a transparent and sustained capability to govern, promoting increased security and rule of law, promoting political and economic development, and providing the provincial administration necessary to meet the basic needs of the population." The cable called for team leaders, deputy team leaders and provincial assistance officers, who it said were needed as early as January.

So, the State Department wants to create these provincial reconstruction teams, to pull the diplomats out of Baghdad and place them into the provinces, work with the local Iraqi governmental officials, and try to jumpstart the failed Iraqi reconstruction program. Okay, that makes sense. And the State Department is asking for talented volunteers to build up these teams.

So what's the problem? How about this:

The rollout of the PRTs has been slowed by a debate between the Pentagon and State over whether the military or private contractors should provide security. As of April 7, job applications had been received for only 12 of 35 positions, according to the State Department's internal bid list. And, of all applicants, only one is deemed qualified based on grade level and previous expertise, according to the bid list.

It seems that the State Department can't get these provincial reconstruction teams into Iraq, because they can't find enough security to protect these teams. There's an argument between State and the Pentagon over whether the military or private contractors should provide security for these PRTs. And let me guess--the Pentagon doesn't want to send U.S. troops out to protect these PRTs. I guess that would be like taping a big "bullseye" target on each U.S. soldier. So the Pentagon wants private security firms to protect these PRTs. State probably wants the Pentagon to protect these PRTs--they're career diplomats working for the U.S. government, so the military has an obligation to protect them. And while this little feud is raging between State and the Pentagon, the State Department has been soliciting bids from private security firms to protect these PRTs. And not only are the private security firms avoiding these contracts, those contractors who have signed up are both inexperienced and unqualified for this type of work.

Incredible.