President Clinton said Monday that he will ask Congress for emergency funding to cover security improvements at most American embassies worldwide.
In a speech to the opening session of the 53rd United Nations General Assembly, Clinton said the funding would "repair our embassies, improve security, expand the worldwide fight against terrorism and help our friends in Kenya and Tanzania with the wounds they have suffered."
According to The New York Times, the administration plans to seek a total of $1.8 billion in funding. About $1.2 billion would be spent on emergency security improvements at embassies around the world, including hiring additional security guards and installing video cameras. Another $200 million would go toward building embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to replace those demolished in the Aug. 7 bombings.
The rest of the money would be used for increasing Secret Service protection for traveling U.S. dignitaries, creating new anti-terrorism programs in countries where the U.S. has diplomatic missions, and providing disaster relief to the families of those killed in the embassy bombings.
Clinton's request is less than the amount the State Department has said is necessary to make sure that embassies meet security standards established in the 1980s, the Times reported. In 1985, the department said it would need $3.5 billion to upgrade security at all embassies.
A department survey conducted after the Africa bombings found that 220 of the 260 U.S. embassies and consulates fall short of security standards.
Congress is expected to approve the funding request.
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