February 19, 1999
Web posted at: 10:44 p.m. EST (0344 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House is defending its request for $3 billion over the next five years to upgrade U.S. diplomatic posts around the world, amid criticism that the appropriation is insufficient.

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. William Crowe, who led a State Department investigation into bombings outside U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania last August, said the budget request isn't enough. He accused the State Department of being "intimidated" by Congress into not asking for more money.

Crowe, whose final report on the bombings called for upgraded security at U.S. diplomatic facilities, also said that he expects more attacks at diplomatic outposts left vulnerable to terrorists.

The deadly attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania

But a Clinton administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the $3 billion appropriation a "good beginning" and noted that the budget request was made before Crowe's report on the bombings was issued.

The official called it the "biggest embassy building program in history" and said the State Department expects to use the funds to pay for 50 to 60 new embassies.

"We think $3 billion is significant, but in light of Crowe's recommendations, that may need to be increased," the official said.

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