The New York Times today revealed concerns about the safety of US diplomats in Saudi Arabia, after suspicions of an outbreak of the Corona virus (Covid-19) in the Washington embassy complex in the capital, Riyadh.
The American newspaper said that dozens of embassy staff were infected with the virus last month, and more than twenty of them underwent isolation.
She added that the infection spread among them during a barbecue during the celebration of a birthday, indicating the death of a Sudanese driver working for senior diplomats at the embassy.
She noted that her report - which highlights concerns about the safety of US diplomats in Saudi Arabia and the US administration's response to the crisis - is based on the testimonies of nine current and former officials.
The newspaper added that embassy officials - whom they did not name - transferred the situation to Congress outside the official channels, demanding the evacuation of most of the embassy employees and their families, similar to what happened with missions in the region months ago.
Seriously
The newspaper quoted these officials as saying that they do not believe that the leadership of the State Department or US ambassador John Abizaid is taking the situation seriously enough.
And last Saturday, the US State Department announced the voluntary departure of non-essential US personnel and family members of the US Mission in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry’s announcement came in response to pressure from lawmakers from both parties, according to the American newspaper.
However, the newspaper indicated that senior embassy officials see the State Department’s announcement as a deficient measure, and it quoted well-informed officials as saying that they had pressed for the evacuation of most of the 400 to 500 American employees working at the embassy in Riyadh in addition to two consulates.