Embassy of the United States in London

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The American Embassy in London

The Embassy of the United States of America to the Court of St. James's is situated at the American Embassy London Chancery Building in Grosvenor Square, Westminster, London. The London embassy is one of the largest United States diplomatic buildings in the world, with a staff of 750 trailing only New Delhi, Moscow and Mexico City in total personnel, though the new embassy in Baghdad will also be larger upon completion. The building is the focal point for events relating to the United States held in the United Kingdom.

1 History
2 Vietnam protests
3 Security concerns
4 Embassy sections
5 Staff
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] History

The first American Embassy in London was situated in Great Cumberland Place, later moving to Piccadilly, Portland Place and Grosvenor Gardens. In 1938 the embassy was moved to 1 Grosvenor Square (which now hosts part of the Canadian High Commission. During this time Grosvenor Square began to accommodate many U.S. government offices, including the headquarters of General Eisenhower and the European headquarters of the United States Navy. Following World War II, the Duke of Westminster donated land for a memorial to wartime President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The current U.S. Embassy building was constructed in the late 1950s, opening in 1960. It is a nine-storey building, of which three are below ground. A large gilded aluminium Bald Eagle with a wingspan of over 11 metres (35 feet) is situated on the roof of the chancery building, making it a recognisable London landmark.

This embassy is the only US embassy situated on land that is not owned by the US government. The land is leased from the Duke of Westminster who, when asked if he would sell the land outright, responded that he would if the US Government would return the land that belonged to his family in America before it was confiscated during the revolutionary war.

[edit] Vietnam protests

In the 1960s a deteriorating security situation forced the U.S. government to significantly upgrade the security of the embassy building. The Vietnam War drew large protests in London, which targeted the embassy building in Grosvenor Square. In 1966 a large protest forced London's police force [the Metropolitan Police] to close off Grosvenor Square to prevent demonstrators from storming the building. As a result of the protests, the embassy was closed off to public access.

[edit] Security concerns

Security at the embassy was further tightened in the 1980s and 90s following successive attacks on U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. However, it was after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 that security was significantly increased. A massive security operation at the embassy has seen Grovesnor Square closed to public access by car, and armed roadblocks are stationed outside the building. In September 2002 a man was arrested at Stockholm's Västerås Airport trying to board Ryanair Flight 685 with a loaded gun. Media reports claimed that the man was planning to hijack the aircraft and crash it into the American embassy in London, using the rooftop eagle to identify it from the air.

The security threat against the embassy has prompted the U.S. government to consider moving the embassy. Several British media outlets reported that the U.S government had wished to use Kensington Palace as their embassy. This was apparently vetoed by the Queen, as several members of the British Royal Family have their residencies there. The Embassy denied the reports.

[edit] Embassy sections

Consular Section
- American Citizen Services
- Visa Services
Commercial Service
- Liaison Office to European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
Defense Attaché
Foreign Agricultural Service
Customs and Border Protection
Public Affairs
Office of Defense Cooperation
Department of Homeland Security (Immigration)
Internal Revenue Service