Fortress Embassy §

• Fortress Embassy: looks like military barracks
  • For insecure situations
    • Ex: after bombing incidents.
    • Ex: Country in war.

Functions of the Fortress Embassy §

Functions are the same, only different in construction design of its premises

• Safety designs against acts of terrorism
• spacious sites set back at least 100 feet from any surrounding streets
• concentration on the ‘compound’ of all non-military personnel;
• blast-proof construction
• high perimeter walls
• vehicle arrest barriers;
• (should all else fail) strengthened safe rooms resembling the ‘keep’ in a Norman castle to which all personnel might retreat.

Problems of the Fortress Embassy §

• Expensive to construct
• Can still have insecurity during travels: hotels, meetings
• Directly shows mistrust between states, might not promote relations
  • Negative local perception of embassy (scary, hostile)
    • Can’t influence policy of host state through locals
  • Disrespective to local authority: feeling they can’t protect the embassy

Question

• Does fortress embassies appear on event basis?
• How long do they stay as a fortress embassy?